Spaghetti al Limone with Fresh Basil

By · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A bright and simple Italian pasta featuring spaghetti tossed in a creamy lemon sauce with fresh basil and Parmesan cheese. This italian-inspired pasta (vegetarian) ready in about 20 minutes pairs spaghetti, olive oil, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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: 15 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
  2. Step 2: While the pasta cooks, heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to brown.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 2 tsp lemon zest and 3 tbsp lemon juice, then add 1/2 cup heavy cream. Simmer gently for 2-3 minutes until the sauce slightly thickens.
  4. Step 4: Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet along with 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese and 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil. Toss vigorously, adding reserved pasta water 2 tbsp at a time as needed to loosen the sauce and coat the pasta evenly.
  5. Step 5: Season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper to taste. Serve immediately garnished with extra basil if desired.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Spaghetti al Limone with Fresh Basil take to make?

Total time is about 20 minutes (5 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Spaghetti al Limone with Fresh Basil?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep spaghetti from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Spaghetti al Limone with Fresh Basil?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Spaghetti al Limone with Fresh Basil for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Spaghetti al Limone with Fresh Basil vegetarian?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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