When it comes to creating a nice supper, simple recipes always triumph. We’re talking about dinners that take less than 20 minutes to prepare, are flavorful, and everyone enjoys! One of such dishes is this lemon pepper spaghetti. It’s quick and simple, but oh so wonderful! The lemon and pepper produce the proper flavor balance, while the parmesan and parsley round off the dish.
Top Tips
To give a little spiciness, I always add a pinch of red pepper flakes, but you can skip it or increase the amount according to your taste. This dish is as excellent whether it is served in a fancy pasta bowl or directly from the skillet. Since there aren’t many ingredients in this recipe, the olive oil really comes through, so you want to make sure it tastes nice. I do advise using high-quality olive oil.
I use Arbequina olive oil because of its buttery and nutty flavor, but you can use any that appeals to you. The only advice I have is to either get an organic lemon or thoroughly wash it in apple cider vinegar. Since citrus is a crop that is regularly treated, we don’t want the pesticides to contaminate our food. You’ll need a medium-sized pan and a pot to boil the pasta in for this dish.
What Is Al Dente?
“Al dente” is an Italian phrase for pasta or rice that still has a bite to it, indicating that it is slightly undercooked. Just a minute or two shorter than the recommended cooking time should enough!
Why Do I Need To Salt The Water?
The only opportunity to properly season pasta is to salt the cooking water. While the pasta is cooking, it absorbs the salt, giving it the ideal additional flavor!
Do I Have To Use Linguini Pasta Noodles For This Recipe?
Linguini is the best pasta for this meal in my view, although spaghetti or angel hair would also work. It’s entirely up to you and your preferences.
Can I Use Gluten-Free Pasta Instead?
Noodles made without gluten should be used in place of linguini if you are gluten intolerant. You can’t go wrong because there are so many excellent gluten-free pasta options available nowadays.
What Should I Serve With This Dish?
I always serve my pasta with crusty bread and a glass of red wine, but you can add some protein for a more balanced meal. It would be fantastic to add some fried pig sausage or chicken piccata!
Lemon Pepper Pasta
Yield: 4 servings
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 package linguine pasta
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes
- Juice and zest of 1 lemon
- ¼ cup shaved parmesan cheese
- 4 parsley sprigs, for garnish
Instructions
1. Prepare the pasta as directed on the package, leaving it al dente. 2 teaspoons of salt should be added to the pot to give the pasta taste.
2. Mince the garlic and juice and zest the lemon while the pasta is cooking.
3. Combine the olive oil, garlic, red pepper flakes, half of the lemon zest, salt, and pepper in a small- to medium-sized skillet.
4. Cook the garlic for 3-5 minutes on medium heat, or until it begins to smell good. The flavor of the dish will be ruined if the garlic is burned.
5. Turn off the heat and pour in the lemon juice.
6. Add the cooked, drained pasta to the skillet and stir with tongs.
7. Move the pasta to a dish and top with the remaining parmesan cheese, parsley, and lemon zest. If desired, serve with a glass of wine and some crusty bread.