Savor the simplicity of parsley pasta, a dish that lets the fresh, herbaceous flavor of parsley shine.
This easy recipe is perfect for a quick, satisfying meal that’s both healthy and delicious.
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Parsley pasta is a simple yet flavorful dish that highlights the fresh, herbaceous taste of parsley.
The recipe features al dente pasta tossed with a fragrant blend of olive oil, garlic, and freshly chopped parsley.
This minimalist approach allows the parsley to shine, providing a vibrant green color and a fresh, grassy flavor that complements the pasta beautifully.
Finished with a light sprinkle of Parmesan cheese and a squeeze of lemon, this parsley pasta recipe is a perfect go-to recipe for a quick, satisfying, and healthy meal.
Parsley pasta is ideal for weeknight dinners or quick lunches, thanks to its simplicity and ease of preparation.
It's a great option for meal prep, as it holds up well when stored and reheated.
This dish is also a fantastic choice for potlucks or casual family gatherings, offering a fresh and healthy option that pairs well with a variety of main dishes.
For special occasions like Easter or spring celebrations, parsley pasta adds a touch of green and freshness to the table.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Fresh and Simple: Highlights the fresh, herbaceous flavor of parsley in a straightforward dish.
- Healthy Choice: A light and nutritious option that’s perfect for a balanced diet.
- Quick Preparation: Easy and fast to make, great for a quick lunch or dinner.
- This parsley pasta recipe is budget friendly.
- Minimal Ingredients: Requires only a few ingredients, making it budget-friendly.
- Versatile Dish: Perfect for meal prep, potlucks, or as a side dish for special occasions.
Cost To Make
Estimated cost = $5.15 or $1.28 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.
- Neutral Flavored Oil: Such as vegetable oil.
- Butter: Softened.
- Brown Onions: Finely chopped.
- Garlic: Minced.
- Parmesan Cheese: Finely grated.
- Lemon Juice
- Salt
- Pepper
- Flat Leaf Parsley: Or you could use curly leaf. Roughly chopped.
- Pine Nuts or Cashews: Roughly chopped, to serve.
Instructions
This recipe for 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 season with salt and pepper to taste. You want to slightly over season your sauce.
Step Six: Mix through the roughly chopped parsley and cooked pasta. If you want your pasta to have a bit more sauce, add some of the reserved pasta water and adjust seasoning as desired.
Step Seven: Serve, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, and chopped pine nuts (or cashews) if desired.
Substitutions / Variations
- Lemon Zest: Add a touch of lemon zest for an extra layer of freshness.
- Cheesy Delight: Mix in some crumbled feta or goat cheese for a tangy twist.
- Nutty Flavor: Sprinkle toasted pine nuts or almonds on top for added crunch and flavor.
- Garlic Lovers: Increase the amount of garlic for a more intense garlic flavor.
- Vegan Option: Substitute butter with a vegan butter alternative and omit the cheese.
Serving Suggestions
- Main Dish: Serve with a topping of grilled or roasted vegetables for a nutritious meal.
- Accompaniment: Pair with a protein like roasted chicken, fish, or tofu.
- Appetizer: Serve smaller portions as a starter or appetizer at dinner parties.
- Bring it to potlucks as a fresh and simple dish that everyone will love.
- Family Dinner: Serve with a variety of sides like garlic bread, roasted vegetables, and a green salad for a complete family dinner.
Storage
Keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days; reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop until warm.
FAQ
Yes, parsley adds a fresh, slightly peppery flavor and enhances the overall taste of pasta.
Both basil and parsley are commonly used on pasta, depending on the desired flavor profile.
Make pesto, chimichurri, parsley butter, or freeze it for later use in soups, stews, and sauces.
Yes, adding parsley to spaghetti enhances its flavor and adds a fresh, green touch.
Made this recipe? Let us know how it went in the comments below! We'd love to hear how it turned out.
Recipe
Parsley Pasta
Ingredients
- 320 grams (11.30 ounces) dried pasta such as penne, spirals, linguine
- 2 tablespoon neutral flavored oil such as vegetable oil
- ¼ cup (60 grams, 2.12 ounces) butter softened
- 1 small (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
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- 1 cup (50 grams, 1.76 ounces) parsley, flat leaf, roughly chopped, plus extra to garnish
- 2 heaped tablespoons pine nuts or cashews roughly chopped, to serve, optional
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 season with salt and pepper to taste. You want to slightly over season your sauce.
- Mix through the roughly chopped parsley and cooked pasta. See note 1.
- Serve, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, and chopped pine nuts (or cashews) if desired.
Notes
- If you want your pasta to have a bit more sauce, add some of the reserved pasta water and adjust seasoning as desired.
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