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Easy Lemon Garlic Spaghetti with Parmesan

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A quick and budget-friendly pasta dish featuring bright lemon zest, savory garlic, and freshly grated Parmesan for a comforting yet refreshing meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces (225 grams) spaghetti
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 4 large garlic cloves, thinly sliced
  • 1 large lemon, zested and juiced
  • ¾ cup (about 75 grams) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add about 1 tablespoon of salt to the water—it should taste like the sea. Cook 8 ounces (225 grams) of spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente, usually 8 to 10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Save about 1 cup (240 ml) of pasta water before draining.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 thinly sliced garlic cloves and sauté gently for about 2 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently so the garlic softens and becomes fragrant but doesn’t brown too much. Aim for a golden color, not burnt.
  3. Add lemon zest and red pepper flakes (if using) to the skillet. Stir for 30 seconds to release the lemon oils and toast the pepper flakes lightly.
  4. Drain the spaghetti and add it directly to the skillet with the garlic-lemon mixture. Toss quickly with tongs to coat the noodles evenly.
  5. Pour in ¼ cup (60 ml) of the reserved pasta water and the juice of 1 lemon. Toss again to combine. Add more pasta water if the spaghetti looks dry.
  6. Remove the skillet from heat and stir in ¾ cup (75 grams) of freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Toss until the cheese melts and coats the noodles beautifully. Season with salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste.
  7. Finish with a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley for color and freshness. Serve immediately.

Notes

Avoid burning the garlic by cooking it over medium heat and stirring frequently. Save pasta water to create a silky sauce. Use fresh lemon juice and zest for best flavor. Add cheese off the heat to prevent clumping. If sauce thickens before serving, add more pasta water to loosen.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon garlic spaghetti, easy pasta recipe, budget meals, quick dinner, Parmesan pasta, simple pasta dish

Find it online: https://freshforkful.com/easy-lemon-garlic-spaghetti-with-parmesan-recipe-for-budget-meals/