Sun-Dried Tomato & Herb Pasta with Lemon Zest
A vibrant vegetarian pasta dish featuring sun-dried tomatoes, fresh herbs, and a bright lemon finish, ready in 20 minutes with pantry staples. This italian-inspired pasta (vegetarian) ready in about 20 minutes pairs spaghetti, olive oil, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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.
Ingredients
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves, minced garlic
- 3 tbsp, drained sun-dried tomatoes in oil
- 1/4 cup, thinly sliced fresh basil
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
- 1, zest and 1 tbsp juice lemon
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
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 but not browned.
- Step 3: Stir in 3 tbsp drained sun-dried tomatoes and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, cooking for 2 minutes until tomatoes soften.
- Step 4: Add drained spaghetti, 1/4 cup fresh basil, 2 tbsp chopped parsley, lemon zest, and 1 tbsp lemon juice; toss to combine.
- Step 5: Add reserved pasta water 2 tbsp at a time until sauce coats the pasta evenly, about 2-3 minutes until glossy and emulsified.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sun-Dried Tomato & Herb Pasta with Lemon Zest take to make?
Total time is about 20 minutes (10 min prep + 10 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 Sun-Dried Tomato & Herb Pasta with Lemon Zest?
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 Sun-Dried Tomato & Herb Pasta with Lemon Zest?
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 Sun-Dried Tomato & Herb Pasta with Lemon Zest 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 Sun-Dried Tomato & Herb Pasta with Lemon Zest 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Doubled the garlic (as one does) and it was amazing.
- ★★★★★
Kids gobbled it up without complaints — that's a 5-star in my book.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
