Lemon Pepper Pasta
When it comes to cooking a great meal, it’s always the simple dishes that win. We’re talking about meals that take under 20 minutes to cook, are full of flavor, and everyone loves!
This lemon pepper pasta is one of those dishes for me. It’s quick and easy but so incredibly delicious!
The lemon and pepper create that perfect balance of flavor, and the parmesan and parsley add the finishing touch.
Top Tips
I always add a pinch of red pepper flakes to add a bit of spice, but you can omit it or add more depending on your spice preference.
You can serve this dish in your fanciest pasta bowl or serve it straight out of the skillet, it’s equally delicious either way.
I do recommend using high-quality olive oil for this recipe — since there aren’t a ton of ingredients, the olive oil shines through and you want to make sure it’s a good tasting one.
Arbequina olive oil is my favorite for its nutty and buttery flavor, but you can use any that sounds good to you.
My other tip is to either buy an organic lemon or wash it really well with apple cider vinegar. Citrus is a heavily sprayed crop, and we don’t need all those pesticides ruining our dish!
For this recipe, you will need a pot to boil the pasta in and a medium-sized skillet.
What Is Al Dente?
“Al dente” is the Italian term for pasta or rice that still has a bite to it, i.e., just slightly undercooked.
Cooking the pasta for just a minute or two less than the recommended time should be perfect!
Why Do I Need To Salt The Water?
Salting your pasta water is the only chance to truly salt your pasta. The pasta absorbs the salt while it’s boiling and it gives it the perfect added flavor!
Do I Have To Use Linguini Pasta Noodles For This Recipe?
Linguini is, in my opinion, the best pasta for this dish, but spaghetti or angel hair would also work. It is all up to you and your preference.
Can I Use Gluten-Free Pasta Instead?
If you are gluten intolerant, definitely replace the linguini noodles with gluten-free pasta! There are so many great gluten-free pastas out there nowadays, so you can’t go wrong.
What Should I Serve With This Dish?
I always serve my pasta dishes with some crusty bread and a glass of red, but you can also add some protein for a more balanced meal. Adding some fried pork sausage or chicken piccata would be delicious!
Lemon Pepper Pasta
Yield: 4 servings
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 package linguine pasta
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes
- Juice and zest of 1 lemon
- ¼ cup shaved parmesan cheese
- 4 parsley sprigs, for garnish
Instructions
1. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions, leaving it al dente. Add 2 tablespoons of salt to the pot — this will add flavor to the pasta.
2. While the pasta is cooking, mince the garlic, then zest and juice the lemon.
3. In a small- to medium-sized skillet, add the olive oil, garlic, red pepper flakes, half of the lemon zest, salt, and pepper.
4. Cook on medium heat until the garlic is fragrant, about 3–5 minutes. Be sure not to burn the garlic or it will ruin the flavor of the dish!
5. Take the skillet off the heat, then add the lemon juice.
6. Once the pasta is cooked and drained, add it to the skillet and toss using tongs.
7. Transfer to a dish and garnish the pasta with the remaining lemon zest, parmesan cheese, and parsley. Serve with some crusty bread and a glass of wine if you like, and enjoy!
Lemon Pepper Pasta
When it comes to cooking a great meal, it's always the simple dishes that win. We're talking about meals that take under 20 minutes to cook, are full of flavor, and everyone loves! This lemon pepper pasta is one of those dishes for me. It's quick and easy but so incredibly delicious!
Ingredients
- 1 package linguine pasta
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes
- Juice and zest of 1 lemon
- ¼ cup shaved parmesan cheese
- 4 parsley sprigs, for garnish
Instructions
1. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions, leaving it al dente. Add 2 tablespoons of salt to the pot — this will add flavor to the pasta.
2. While the pasta is cooking, mince the garlic, then zest and juice the lemon.
3. In a small- to medium-sized skillet, add the olive oil, garlic, red pepper flakes, half of the lemon zest, salt, and pepper.
4. Cook on medium heat until the garlic is fragrant, about 3–5 minutes. Be sure not to burn the garlic or it will ruin the flavor of the dish!
5. Take the skillet off the heat, then add the lemon juice.
6. Once the pasta is cooked and drained, add it to the skillet and toss using tongs.
7. Transfer to a dish and garnish the pasta with the remaining lemon zest, parmesan cheese, and parsley. Serve with some crusty bread and a glass of wine if you like, and enjoy!