Description
Bright, creamy, and full of fresh flavor, this Asparagus Pasta with Lemon & Garlic is an easy dinner recipe made with tender pasta, crisp asparagus, fresh lemon, garlic, Parmesan, and a silky light sauce. It is perfect for quick dinner, easy dinner ideas, vegetarian pasta, spring food ideas, simple weeknight meals, and fresh pasta recipes that feel comforting without being heavy.
Ingredients
12 ounces linguine or spaghetti
1 pound fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into bite-size pieces
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 lemon, zested
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
1 cup reserved pasta water, as needed
1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for pasta water
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or basil
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the asparagus and a pinch of salt, then cook for 3 to 4 minutes until bright green and just tender.
3. Add the butter and minced garlic to the skillet. Stir for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Stir in the lemon zest, lemon juice, black pepper, red pepper flakes if using, and 1/4 cup reserved pasta water.
5. Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss well to coat.
6. Sprinkle in the Parmesan gradually, tossing constantly and adding more pasta water as needed until the sauce is glossy and silky.
7. Taste and adjust with more salt, pepper, lemon juice, or Parmesan.
8. Finish with fresh parsley or basil and serve warm with extra Parmesan.
Notes
Use freshly grated Parmesan because it melts more smoothly than pre-shredded cheese.
Do not overcook the asparagus; it should stay bright green with a tender bite.
Add pasta water slowly so the sauce becomes silky instead of watery.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 425
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 17 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 54 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 16 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
Keywords: asparagus pasta, lemon garlic pasta, easy dinner recipe, quick dinner, vegetarian pasta, spring pasta, dinner ideas