Simple Lemon-Garlic Spaghetti with Fresh Basil

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-16 · Updated 2026-05-16

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

A bright and light pasta dish featuring spaghetti tossed in a garlic-infused olive oil sauce with fresh lemon and basil, perfect for a quick, elegant dinner. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 17 minutes, pairs spaghetti, extra virgin olive oil, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 410 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 5 min Cook: 12 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 410 cal/serving

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Ingredients

12 oz spaghetti
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
5 cloves, thinly sliced garlic cloves
1 tbsp, finely grated lemon zest
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup, roughly chopped fresh basil leaves
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
1 tbsp for pasta water, plus 1/2 tsp for sauce salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup freshly grated, optional Parmesan cheese

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Instructions

Step 1: Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil and add 1 tbsp salt. Add 12 oz spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain pasta.
Step 2: While pasta cooks, heat 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 5 thinly sliced garlic cloves and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes; sauté for 2 minutes until garlic is fragrant and just beginning to turn golden.
Step 3: Add 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1 tbsp lemon zest, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to the skillet. Stir to combine and cook for 30 seconds.
Step 4: Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet along with 1/2 cup reserved pasta water. Toss vigorously for 1-2 minutes until the pasta is evenly coated and the sauce slightly thickens.
Step 5: Stir in 1/2 cup roughly chopped fresh basil leaves. Remove from heat and, if desired, sprinkle 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese on top before serving.