Easy One Pot Lemon Pasta

This Easy One Pot Lemon Pasta is the superhero of weeknight dinners, swooping in to save the day in under 20 minutes. Serve it solo or with your trusty sidekicks, and watch as it becomes the comfort food champion everyone at the table is raving about. It’s quick, easy, and bursting with zest – because weeknight dinners should always be fabulous! 

This post is sponsored by Danish Creamery but all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Why You’ll Love this Lemon Pasta

Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly weeknight dinner or the perfect recipe for a special occasion, this Lemon Pasta always fits the bill. Crafted with just 8 pantry staples and cooked in a single pot, it’s the easiest, most delicious pasta creation you’ll ever whip up! Here are a few reasons why we’re head over heels for it:

• The simple ingredients are easy to find and super budget-friendly. 
• It requires minimal prep and makes for quick cleanup. 
• You can bulk it up with all your favorite proteins, veggies, and toppings. 
• Leftovers keep well for satisfying lunches and dinners throughout the week. 

Simple Ingredients & Easy Substitutions

You won’t believe how such common ingredients can create the most incredible flavor! Here’s what you’ll need: 

• Butter –We chose Danish Creamery Sea Salted European Style Butter for our pasta dish. It boasts an 85% butterfat, which is two to three percent more than traditional butter. This extra butterfat means more cream and less water in your butter, making this sauce super creamy and flavorful. For a dairy-free option, swap it out for a neutral-tasting oil with a high smoke point such as avocado oil.
• Pasta – We can’t resist using long strands of spaghetti, but you can make it with whatever you like best. Feel free to use gluten-free or whole wheat noodles, too. 
• Herbs, Spices, and Seasonings – For the absolute best flavor we use salt, black pepper, and grated garlic. You can use pre-grated garlic. However, the key to the boldest taste is to include fresh garlic and grate it by hand. Trust us, it’s worth the extra effort! 
• Lemon – We love a strong lemon taste. So, we include both the juice and the zest of fresh lemon. 
• Cheese – For a little extra savoriness, we incorporate a bit of Parmesan cheese, but feel free to omit it completely for a vegan recipe. 

How to Make This One Pot Lemon Pasta Recipe

Making this lemon pasta is an absolute breeze. Here’s the simple scoop on what you need to do:

1. Cook the pasta to al-dente. 
2. Melt the butter in a pot over medium heat. 
3. Stir in the garlic, salt, and pepper, whisking for 1 minute. 
4. Add the lemon juice, lemon zest, and cooked spaghetti. 
5. Incorporate the noodles, ¾ cup of pasta water, and Parmesan. 
6. Stir until the noodles are fully cooked and the cheese is melted.
7. Garnish with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan cheese.

Cooking Tips

Hold onto your pots and pans, because recipes don’t get much easier – or tastier – than this lemon pasta! But we’ve also got a few tips and tricks up our sleeves that will take this already fantastic dish and totally elevate it.

Don’t Overcook the Noodles. Your noodles will continue to cook when combined with the other ingredients. So, you’ll want to cook them just to al dente. Otherwise, they’ll become mushy and overcooked! 

Save Your Pasta Water. Once pasta has been cooked, the leftover water contains starch that can be added to the noodles to help the lemon sauce stick more easily. 

Use Fresh Parmesan. It might take extra time to grate your own Parmesan but trust us. The flavor is so worth it! 

Common Questions About Lemon Garlic Pasta

Can I add protein to this dish?

Absolutely! Grilled chicken, shrimp, or even cannellini beans make excellent additions, turning this zesty pasta into a heartier main course. Simply cook your chosen protein separately and toss it in during the final mixing stage.

Is it possible to make this recipe vegan?

Yes! Swap out the butter for a plant-based alternative and use nutritional yeast or a vegan parmesan substitute to achieve that cheesy flavor. The result is a creamy, dairy-free lemon pasta that’s just as delicious.

Can I incorporate vegetables into this dish?

Definitely! Adding greens like spinach or kale not only boosts the nutritional value but also adds a pop of color. Toss them in during the last few minutes of cooking so they wilt nicely into the pasta.

How do I achieve a creamier sauce?

The starch released from the pasta during cooking naturally thickens the sauce. For an extra creamy texture, you can stir in a splash of heavy cream or a dollop of ricotta cheese at the end.

More One Pot Pasta Recipes You’ll Love

On the hunt for more comforting dinners that won’t have you juggling a ton of pots and pans? Dive into a collection of our longtime favorite one-pot recipes listed below.

• An easy take on our favorite Mexican recipes, this One Pot Elote Pasta will have you dancing in your kitchen with just one bite! 
• Every bit as flavorful as it is vibrant, this One Pot Greek Couscous is always a crowd-pleasing dish. 
• This One Pot Healthy Spaghetti is ready in just 15 minutes for an easy weeknight dinner!