Delectable Lemon Herb Pasta Delight

Ingredients

- 12 oz spaghetti or your pasta of choice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 5 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 large lemon, zested and juiced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Optional: 1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted

Instructions

1. Prepare Pasta:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, following the package instructions. This usually takes around PT10M (10 minutes). Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta.

2. Sauté Garlic and Red Pepper Flakes:
In a large skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil. Once hot, add the garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté for PT2M (2 minutes) until the garlic is fragrant and lightly golden.

3. Add Lemon Juice and Zest:
Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the lemon juice and zest. If the mixture looks too dry, add a splash of the reserved pasta water. Cook for 1 minute PT1M (1 minute) to let the flavors meld.

4. Combine with Pasta:
Add the drained pasta to the skillet. Toss well to coat the pasta evenly with the lemony garlic oil.

5. Incorporate Herbs and Cheese:
Add the parsley, basil, and half of the Parmesan cheese. Toss to combine, adding more reserved pasta water if necessary to achieve a silky sauce consistency. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

6. Final Touches:
Remove from heat and sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan cheese and toasted pine nuts, if using.

7. Serve:
Serve immediately, garnished with additional fresh herbs if desired. Enjoy your delightful lemon herb pasta creation!

Preparation & Cooking Times

Total Preparation Time: PT10M
Total Cooking Time: PT15M
Total Time: PT25M

Total Time

PT25M
25 minutes

Type of Dish

Dinner

Keywords

Pasta, Lemon, Herb, Garlic, Dinner, Spaghetti, Italian, Easy Recipe, Quick Dinner, Vegetarian

Recipe Yield

Feeds 4 adults

Calories

Approximately 1,200 calories for the entire dish

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