Lemon Garlic Pasta is a simple and flavorful comfort food ready in less than 20 minutes and comes under 500 calories. It doesn't get any easier than this pasta.
About Lemon Garlic Butter Pasta
India celebrates its Independence Day on 15th August every year. It is during days of national importance like these that I become nostalgic, and remember my school days the most. Though my generation was not part of the freedom struggle, I have heard a lot of anecdotes and stories of that era from my grandparents that make celebrating this day even more meaningful. I am sure it is the case with every one of you.
After coming to the US, I watch the Prime Minister of India addressing the nation and the march-past that is relayed live online. I also enjoy listening to a lot of old and new patriotic songs and watching historic and patriotic movies on that day. On this day, I make sure to prepare recipes with some patriotic elements in them such as the tri-color cake or star and stripes berry pie.
To all my friends who were requesting an Independence Day post, I present to you this simple tri-color lemon garlic pasta recipe. The highlight of this dish is the flavor of garlic and the tanginess of the lemon. Sometimes, even with simple dishes like this, you can have a good time with your family and friends. This pasta is packed with flavors and is very easy to prepare.
Do give this simple pasta recipe a try, and also do not forget to let me know how you celebrate your nation's important days! I would love to hear from all of you. Once again, to all my readers from India, I wish you a peaceful and very happy Independence Day!
If you love pasta recipes, be sure to check out our classics - Quick and Easy Shrimp Scampi Pasta and Pasta e Ceci.
Ingredients
Pasta of your choice. Usually, spaghetti or linguine is used to prepare this dish. I had some tricolor rotini pasta which I used in this dish.
Olive oil for sauteing garlic cloves and infusing its flavor throughout the dish.
Garlic cloves for flavor.
Lemon zest and Lemon juice for zesty fragrance and tanginess, respectively.
Red pepper flakes for spiciness.
Basil leaves and Parsley for adding freshness to the dish.
Salt - to taste
Vegan cheese / Parmesan cheese for rich flavor and nuttiness.
Steps to Prepare Lemon Garlic Pasta
Step 1: Cook the pasta according to the package instructions and keep it aside.
Step 2: Heat olive oil in a pan. Add garlic cloves and saute it on medium to medium-low flame till it turns golden brown in color.
Step 3: Add the lemon zest and lemon juice, basil leaves, parsley, red pepper flakes, and salt, and mix.
Step 4: Add the cooked pasta and toss till combined. Lemon Garlic Pasta is now ready. Garnish it with fresh grated cheese just before you serve and enjoy.
If you love simple pastas, check out my other mushroom cheese pasta recipe, orzo with basil and tomatoes, and easy vegan butternut squash pasta.
Expert Chef Tips
- The secret here is in sauteing the garlic. If you saute it on a high flame, it will become dark brown and bitter and if you do not cook until garlic turns golden brown, you will get its raw flavor in the dish.
- You can add shrimp or other sea food to the recipe if desired.
- I have used dried basil and parsley in the recipe. You can substitute with fresh herbs.
- Use any pasta of your choice.
FAQs
Reserve some water in which that pasta was cooked. Add a few splashes of this starchy water while tossing the pasta with sauteed garlic to make the dish creamy!
Yes. You can use butter or a combination of butter and other neutral oil of your choice to make this dish.
Yes. But I like to add freshly grated parmesan because I find that it melts quickly and less clumpy than pre-grated parmesan cheese sold at stores.
Other pasta recipes you may like
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Recipe card
Quick and Easy Lemon Garlic Pasta
Ingredients
- 350 g Pasta of your choice.
- 3.5 tablespoon Olive oil or Butter
- 12 cloves Garlic finely chopped
- 1.5 teaspoon Lemon zest finely grated/chopped
- ¼ cup Lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon Basil leaves fresh, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon Parsley fresh, finely chopped
- ¾ teaspoon Salt adjust to taste
- ⅓ cup Parmesan cheese or Vegan cheese that melts
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to the package instructions and keep it aside.350 g Pasta
- Heat olive oil in a pan. Add garlic cloves and saute it on medium to medium-low flame till it turns golden brown in color.3.5 tablespoon Olive oil, 12 cloves Garlic
- Add red pepper flakes and saute for 30 seconds.1 teaspoon Red pepper flakes
- Now add the lemon zest and lemon juice, basil leaves, parsley, salt and mix.1.5 teaspoon Lemon zest, ¼ cup Lemon juice, 1 teaspoon Basil leaves, 1 teaspoon Parsley
- Add the cooked pasta and toss till combined.
- Lemon Garlic Pasta is now ready. Garnish it with freshly grated cheese just before you serve, and enjoy.
Notes
Expert Chef Tips
- The secret here is in sauteing the garlic. If you saute it on a high flame, it will become dark brown and bitter and if you do not cook until garlic turns golden brown, you will get its raw flavor in the dish.
- You can add shrimp or other seafood to the recipe if desired.
- I have used dried basil and parsley in the recipe. You can substitute with fresh herbs.
- Use any pasta of your choice.
- To make the dish creamy, add a splash of starchy pasta water while tossing the pasta with lemon-garlic mixture.
Anu says
Liked the tricolour pasta..
Kushi says
Thank you Anu 🙂
David @ Spiced says
I love how simple and delicious this recipe sounds, Kushi! Hearing you talk about Independence Day celebrations in India reminds me of Thanksgiving celebrations here in the States. As you know, kids aren't in school for US Independence Day, but we are in school around Thanksgiving...so we'd always have plays and activities geared around Thanksgiving. Fun memories! 🙂
Kushi says
Thank you so much David 🙂
cheri says
I love simple dishes like this! Happy Independence Day to you, we usually have a BBQ with watermelon and ccorn on the cobb. Thanks Kushi!
Kushi says
Thank you so much Cheri 🙂
Seena Koshy says
Wow, it's so easy to make dear Mallya.. All the three colors add a perfect dish for the Independence Day.. I will definitely try out this one..
Kushi says
Thank you Seena 🙂
Dawn @ Words Of Deliciousness says
The lemon garlic pasta sounds wonderful.
Kushi says
Thank you Dawn 🙂