Experience the zesty delight of lemon parsley pasta, a refreshing dish that combines the brightness of fresh lemon with the aromatic freshness of parsley.
Perfect for any season, this easy-to-make pasta is sure to brighten your meal.
Jump to:
Lemon parsley pasta is a delicious and refreshing dish perfect for any season.
This recipe combines the zesty brightness of fresh lemon with the aromatic freshness of parsley, creating a harmonious balance of flavors.
The pasta is lightly coated in a simple yet flavorful sauce made with butter, garlic, and a hint of lemon juice and zest.
Finished with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese, this dish is not only quick and easy to prepare but also brings a burst of vibrant, summery flavors to your table.
This lemon parsley pasta is versatile and can be served as a main course or a side dish. It's excellent for meal prep as it stays fresh and flavorful when reheated.
This pasta also makes a great addition to potlucks and casual gatherings due to its light, refreshing taste that appeals to many palates.
For special occasions like Easter or summer picnics, this dish adds a vibrant and zesty element to the menu, complementing a variety of other dishes.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Refreshing Flavors: The zesty lemon and fresh parsley create a vibrant, refreshing taste.
- Quick and Easy: This recipe is simple to prepare, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
- Light and Healthy: It's a light dish that's perfect for a healthy meal.
- Versatile: Can be served as a main dish or a side, suitable for various occasions.
- Meal Prep Friendly: Stays fresh and delicious when reheated, ideal for meal prep.
Cost To Make
Estimated cost = $4.75 or $1.18 a serve
Ingredients
Please note that below is a guide for some of the ingredients we used in the recipe. The printable recipe further down the page has the complete list of ingredients, including quantities and step-by-step instructions.
- Dried Pasta: Such as penne, spirals, or linguine.
- Butter
- Brown Onion: Finely chopped.
- Garlic: Minced
- Parmesan Cheese: Finely grated.
- Lemon Juice and Lemon Zest
- Salt and Pepper
- Parsley: Flat leaf or curly, roughly chopped.
Instructions
This recipe for lemon parsley pasta serves 4. The ingredient quantities can easily be adjusted to suit how many serves you need to make.
Step One: Cook your pasta according to packet instructions. Once cooked, drain and set aside. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water.
Step Two: While the pasta is cooking, heat half the butter in a medium sized saucepan. Once hot, add the finely chopped brown onion, and cook until the onions are soft and lightly browned.
Step Three: Add the minced garlic and saute for 1 – 2 minutes, be careful not to burn your garlic.
Step Four: Add the remaining butter and melt. Once melted, add the grated Parmesan cheese.
Step Five: Turn off heat and mix through the lemon juice and lemon zest.
Step Six: Season with salt and pepper to taste. You want to slightly over season your sauce.
Step Seven: Mix through the roughly chopped parsley and cooked pasta. Once mixed through, if you want your pasta to have a bit more sauce, add some of the reserved pasta water and adjust seasoning as desired.
Tips for Success
- Don't Overcook Pasta: Cook the pasta al dente to ensure it holds its texture when mixed with the sauce.
Substitutions / Variations
- Add Protein: Include grilled chicken, shrimp, or salmon to make it a more filling main dish.
- Vegetarian Twist: Toss in roasted vegetables like cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, or zucchini for added flavor and nutrition.
- Whole Grain: Use whole wheat pasta or a gluten-free alternative to make it healthier.
- Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a hint of heat.
- Creamy Version: Stir in a splash of heavy cream or a dollop of ricotta cheese for a richer texture.
Serving Suggestions
- Main Course: Serve with a side of garlic bread and a green salad for a complete meal.
- Side Dish: Pair with grilled fish or chicken for a balanced dinner.
- Brunch Option: Serve alongside a frittata or quiche for a delightful brunch.
- Cold Pasta Salad: Chill and serve as a refreshing cold pasta salad for picnics or potlucks.
- Light Lunch: Enjoy it with a bowl of soup for a light and satisfying lunch.
Storage
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of water or broth. Alternatively you could reheat in the microwave.
FAQ
People add lemon to pasta to enhance its flavor with a fresh, zesty brightness that complements other ingredients and balances rich or creamy sauces.
Add parsley to pasta just before serving to retain its fresh flavor and vibrant color.
Made this recipe? Let us know how it went in the comments below! We'd love to hear how it turned out.
Recipe
Lemon Parsley Pasta
Ingredients
- 320 grams (11.30 ounces) dried pasta such as penne, spirals, linguine
- ¼ cup (60 grams, 2.12 ounces) butter
- 1 medium (120 grams, 4.23 ounces) Brown Onion finely chopped
- 1 ½ teaspoons (2-3 cloves) garlic minced
- ½ cup (60 grams, 2.12 ounces) parmesan cheese, finely grated, plus extra to garnish
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice or to taste
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- 1 cup (50 grams, 1.76 ounces) parsley, flat leaf, roughly chopped, plus extra to garnish
Instructions
- Cook your pasta according to packet instructions. Once cooked, drain and set aside. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water.
- While the pasta is cooking, heat half the butter in a medium sized saucepan. Once hot, add the finely chopped brown onion, and cook until the onions are soft and lightly browned.
- Add the minced garlic and saute for 1 – 2 minutes, be careful not to burn your garlic.
- Add the remaining butter and melt. Once melted, add the grated Parmesan cheese.
- Turn off heat and mix through the lemon juice and lemon zest.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. You want to slightly over season your sauce.
- Mix through the roughly chopped parsley and cooked pasta. Once mixed through, if you want your pasta to have a bit more sauce, add some of the reserved pasta water and adjust seasoning as desired.
Abigale says
I've made this a few times now and it's been delish each and every time. I also like to serve with some chopped up pine nuts.