Garlic and Lemon Pasta
20-minute garlic and lemon pasta is quick, creamy (using pasta water!), vibrant, and bursting with zesty, aromatic flavor - A weeknight dinner you’ll crave again and again!
Servings: 4
Calories: 698kcal
Ingredients
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 1 cup reserved pasta water
- 4 tablespoons (¼ cup) olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 lemons
- 1 ½ to 2 cups vegan parmesan cheese plus more for garnish
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Parsley chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the spaghetti 2 minutes less than the package instructions suggest, leaving it slightly undercooked. Drain and reserve 1 cup of the pasta water. Do not overcook the pasta, as it will finish cooking in the pan later.
- Dry the pot quickly, then return it to the stove and heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.
- Add the minced garlic and cook until it begins to brown, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
- Lower the heat to medium-low and quickly add the hot spaghetti to the pot with the garlic and oil mixture. Toss to coat the pasta evenly. Add ½ cup of the reserved pasta water and the juice of one lemon, then gently mix to combine.
- Stir in the vegan Parmesan cheese and a generous amount of freshly ground black pepper. Toss everything well, cover with a lid, and cook for 1 minute.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning, adding a pinch of salt if needed, especially if the vegan cheese is not very salty.
- Serve immediately, garnished with lemon wedges or slices, and a sprinkle of fresh parsley. If the pasta seems dry before serving, add a splash of the reserved pasta water, mix, and serve.
Notes
- Cook the pasta al dente: So it doesn’t turn mushy when added to the hot pan with the garlic lemon pasta sauce.
- Use the freshest ingredients: This recipe is so simple that fresh lemon juice, garlic, and high-quality olive oil make a big difference.
- Reserve the pasta water: This starchy liquid emulsifies the sauce and helps it cling to the pasta noodles with no need for added vegan cream. Plus, you can even save the pasta water in the fridge for several days to add a splash when reheating the leftovers.
- For a saucier dish: Adjust how much pasta water you add to the sauce.
Nutrition
Calories: 698kcal | Carbohydrates: 101g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Sodium: 432mg | Potassium: 337mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 12IU | Vitamin C: 29mg | Calcium: 74mg | Iron: 2mg