Spring-Ready Lemon-Dill Pasta with Asparagus

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A light, fresh pasta dish featuring tender asparagus, creamy lemon-dill sauce, and a hint of white wine. This italian-inspired pasta (vegetarian) ready in about 27 minutes pairs spaghetti pasta, olive oil, medium (finely diced) shallot for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 415 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.

★ 3.8 (9 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 12 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 415 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 8 oz spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
  2. Step 2: While pasta cooks, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add shallot and cook for 2 minutes until softened but not browned.
  3. Step 3: Add asparagus to the skillet and cook for 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until bright green and tender-crisp.
  4. Step 4: Pour in 1/4 cup white wine and simmer for 1 minute until evaporated, then stir in lemon zest, lemon juice, fresh dill, heavy cream, salt, and black pepper. Simmer gently for 2 minutes until sauce slightly thickens.
  5. Step 5: Add drained pasta to the skillet along with 1/4 cup reserved pasta water. Toss vigorously for 1 minute until sauce coats pasta evenly. Stir in 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Spring-Ready Lemon-Dill Pasta with Asparagus take to make?

Total time is about 27 minutes (15 min prep + 12 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 Spring-Ready Lemon-Dill Pasta with Asparagus?

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 pasta from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Spring-Ready Lemon-Dill Pasta with Asparagus?

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 Spring-Ready Lemon-Dill Pasta with Asparagus 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 Spring-Ready Lemon-Dill Pasta with Asparagus 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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