Lemon Garlic Pasta (20-Minute Dinner)

A bowl filled with lemon pasta, with the noodles wrapped around the fork.

5 from 1 vote

Lemon Garlic Pasta (20-Minute Dinner)

Lemon garlic pasta is a simple 20-minute dinner made with spaghetti, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, vegan butter, and vegan Parmesan cheese. When combined, they create a light, creamy, buttery sauce, but without cream. This recipe also works if using traditional butter and Parmesan cheese.

Prep Time5

Cook Time15

Total Time20

Course: Dinner, lunch

Cuisine: Italian

Diet: Vegan

Servings: Main Dishes

Calories: 515kcal

Author: Ruth Grindeland

Equipment

1 microplane
1 large skillet
1 tongs
1 large pot

Ingredients

12 oz (340g) spaghetti, or your favorite pasta shape
1 cup pasta water
2 large lemons, zested and juiced
4 tbsp (56g) vegan butter, or dairy butter
½ cup (50g) grated vegan Parmesan cheese, or dairy Parmesan cheese
2 cloves garlic, minced
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Fresh basil or parsley, optional, for garnish

Instructions

Prepare the pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add salt, and cook the spaghetti until just before al dente.
Make the lemon garlic sauce: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic (if using) and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in the lemon juice, zest, and Parmesan. Gradually whisk in one cup of reserved pasta water until a smooth sauce forms.
Combine the sauce and pasta: Add the slightly undercooked pasta to the sauce. The pasta will absorb the sauce while it finishes cooking.
Garnish and Serve: Season with salt, pepper, and extra lemon juice if desired. Garnish with fresh Parmesan and herbs before serving.

Notes

Non-vegan option: Swap the vegan cheese and butter for their dairy counterparts using the same measurements.

Storage instructions: This recipe is best fresh. If you have leftovers, store the pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. If the sauce is thick, add a tablespoon of water before reheating. I do not recommend freezing this recipe.

Nutrition: The nutrition information is calculated using vegan products, resulting in zero cholesterol. If using traditional dairy products, I recommend using a separate calculator for accuracy.

Nutrition