Stir-Fried Lemon Garlic Pasta

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-09 · Updated 2026-04-09

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, fast-cooking pasta dish with fragrant garlic, juicy tomatoes, and fresh lemon zest that elevates simple ingredients. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs spaghetti, olive oil, garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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: 15 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 450 cal/serving

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Ingredients

12 oz spaghetti
3 tbsp olive oil
4 cloves, minced garlic
1, zested and juiced lemon
1/2 cup, halved cherry tomatoes
1/4 cup, chopped fresh basil
to taste salt

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Instructions

Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 12 oz spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent browning.
Step 3: Stir in 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes and 2 tbsp lemon juice, cooking for 2 minutes until tomatoes soften slightly.
Step 4: Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet along with 1/4 cup reserved pasta water and 1/4 cup fresh basil, tossing vigorously for 2 minutes until the sauce coats the pasta evenly.
Step 5: Season with salt to taste, then immediately serve with extra lemon zest.