This lemon garlic pasta is a super easy dinner that’s ready in under 20 minutes! It’s one of my favorite last minute meals since I always have the ingredients on hand.
I never get tired of making pasta for dinner; it’s total comfort food! My penne alla vodka, cacio e pepe, and pumpkin pasta have all been recent favorites.
However, it seriously doesn’t get any easier than this easy garlic lemon pasta. Right now that’s what I’m craving – simple comfort food that’s ready in minutes. What can I say, the holidays wore me out.
I don’t really buy into the January health craze. This is what I need right now. Lemon, garlic and parmesan are like the holy trinity of comfort food. These three ingredients create a perfect harmony of flavors.
This cheesy lemon parmesan pasta can be on the table in less than 20 minutes. What more can you ask for? Try serving it with a light white wine (I personally love New Zealand sauvignon blanc).
How to Make Garlic Parmesan Noodles
This recipe couldn’t be easier! Here’s what you do:
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of the starchy pasta water (it will help bring the sauce together).
- While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a skillet and cook the garlic for a couple minutes.
- In a large bowl, toss together the remaining ingredients, cooked garlic, and finished pasta, using the reserved pasta water as needed.
Recipe Notes:
- You really want to use higher quality ingredients since the recipe is so basic. Freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano is worlds better than pre-grated parmesan cheese sold in the green tube. Also, I strongly recommend grating it with a microplane zester or the finest setting on your box grater. This way it melts into the pasta in the best possible way.
- You’ll never achieve the taste of freshly minced garlic if you try substituting garlic powder (even jarred minced garlic can have a strange aftertaste that you won’t want to chance adding to your dish).
- You always want to use fresh squeezed lemon juice for this type of recipe. Always. Don’t use those squeeze bottles!
- Pasta water is a magic trick with recipes such as this one. If you don’t use it (or are too sparing), you’ll find the final dish too dry and gummy. Adding hot pasta water helps bring the ingredients together for a perfectly blended dish.
Love pasta? Be sure to check out my Cheesy Spinach & Artichoke Pasta and Spaghetti with Parmesan, Pine Nuts and Brown Butter Sauce!
Lemon Garlic Parmesan Pasta
Ingredients
- 16 ounces linguine (or pasta of your choice)
- 1 cup reserved pasta water, see instructions
- 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2-3 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice, plus more to taste if needed (approximately 1-2 lemons)
- 1/2 cup fresh grated parmesan cheese, plus more for serving (see notes)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper, or to taste
- kosher salt to taste
- optional: chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Prepare the linguine according to package instructions, using well salted water. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of the pasta water and set aside.
- While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil over medium low heat in a small pan. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Remove from the heat.
- In a large bowl, toss together the pasta, olive oil and garlic, lemon juice, parmesan cheese, black pepper, and 1/4 cup of the pasta water. Add additional pasta water as needed until the ingredients are easy to stir. Taste; add additional black pepper and salt, if needed. (Note: parmesan cheese is salty, so you might not need any).
- Divide into portions and top each serving with extra parmesan cheese and, if using, chopped parsley.
Notes
Please read my full post for additional recipe notes, tips, and serving suggestions!
Nutrition
Recipe Troubleshooting
For immediate help troubleshooting a recipe, please email me using the form on my contact page. I’ll try to respond to urgent questions as quickly as possible! For all general questions, please leave a comment here :)
This is just simple and delicious. I am in need to no fuss dinners too!
Thanks, Zainab! No fuss is what January is all about :)
Love this perfectly simple and delicious dinner. Just what January needs!
Thank you, Liz!
I’d love a bowl of this pasta right now, too/ Looks perfect.
Thank you so much, Bianca!
I’m with you – I definitely fall into the simplify camp in January before I start seeking out the healthy stuff. Any dinner that’s ready this quick and as satisfying as it appears is perfect.
It just feels right, doesn’t it? Thanks for stopping by, Jess!
Simplicity at its finest! Delicious!
Thanks Millie! Tis the season for simplicity!
Simply gorgeous.
Thanks so much, Rachel :)
There is nothing better than a bowl of pasta with fresh, simple ingredients. Love the flavors in this recipe! Pinned :)
I agree! Thanks Anne.
I love the satisfying simplicity and clean flavors of this dish, just what I want for dinner!
Thanks so much, Laura!
I think lemon and pasta are a match made in heaven, and I love how quick and easy this is, I can smell it now!
Thanks Susan! I think I could eat this pasta dish every day :)
Simple is most definitely best! This is definitely a holy trinity. Sign me up for a HEAP of this pasta!
You and me both! Thanks Megan :)
I have a really good piece of Parmesan cheese right now and this recipe is just PERFECT to enjoy the cheese! Such a gorgeous photography. It’s late at night but it made me want to cook RIGHT NOW looking at your pictures.. ;)
Thank you so much, Nami!
I love how simple this is. This pasta is actually something I would make for lunch. Sounds delicious!
Thanks Jen! PS – I love your site name so much (probably because I relate to it)
honestly this is what I do all of the time. I just make pasta and flavor it with lemon, salt and pepper and parmesan. I just love the simple flavors and its soo good. LOVE YOUR DISH!
Thank you!
Simple but delicious!
I love the simplicity of this dish! Can never have enough easy and delicious pasta recipes!