One-Pot Lemon Garlic Pasta (Printer-Friendly)

Lemon, garlic, herbs, and pasta combine in one pot for an easy, vibrant Italian-inspired main dish.

# What You Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz dry spaghetti or linguine
02 - 5 cups vegetable broth

→ Aromatics & Flavor

03 - 4 garlic cloves, finely minced
04 - 1 large lemon, zested and juiced
05 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
06 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
07 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter
08 - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
09 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
10 - Salt, to taste

→ Garnish

11 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
12 - Lemon wedges, for serving

# Directions:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
02 - Pour vegetable broth into the pan and bring to a boil.
03 - Add the uncooked pasta, lemon zest, red pepper flakes if using, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir to distribute and separate the noodles.
04 - Cook uncovered, stirring frequently, for 9 to 11 minutes or until the pasta is al dente and most of the liquid is absorbed. Add extra broth or water if needed.
05 - Reduce heat to low. Stir in butter, lemon juice, and Parmesan until a creamy sauce forms and coats the pasta. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
06 - Divide pasta among plates. Top with chopped parsley, extra Parmesan, and lemon wedges. Serve immediately.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The lemon and garlic hit all the right notes, and no one ever guesses how quick it was to throw together.
  • Every forkful tastes fresh and lively—plus, you only need to clean one pot.
02 -
  • Leaving the pot unattended for even a moment can cause the pasta to stick—a painful lesson learned while answering the door.
  • Swapping water for broth really is what makes the sauce taste developed and rich.
03 -
  • Give the noodles a gentle tug apart in the first couple of minutes to help them cook evenly.
  • Finishing the pasta with lemon juice off the heat keeps the flavor fresh and stops it from turning bitter.
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