Lemon Garlic Pasta with Asparagus
A light and refreshing pasta dish featuring sautéed asparagus, fresh lemon, and a savory garlic sauce. Quick, easy, and perfect for any day of the week!
Ingredients
- 12 ounces spaghetti or linguine
- 1 bunch of asparagus trimmed and cut into 1-2 inch pieces
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil for cooking asparagus
- 2 tablespoons olive oil for making the sauce
- Zest and juice of 1 large lemon
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese optional for garnish
- Fresh parsley for garnish
- Salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 cup pasta water reserved from boiling the pasta
Instructions
Cook the Pasta:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add 12 ounces of spaghetti or linguine to the water and cook according to the package instructions.
- Before draining, reserve 1 cup of pasta water and set it aside. Drain the pasta and set it aside as well.
Cook the Asparagus:
- In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the asparagus and sauté for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the asparagus is crisp-tender.
- Remove from the skillet and set aside.
Prepare the Lemon Garlic Sauce:
- In the same skillet, add another 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat.
- Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Stir in the zest and juice of 1 large lemon and 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for another minute to allow the flavors to meld together.
Combine Pasta and Sauce:
- Add the cooked pasta into the skillet with the lemon garlic sauce.
- Toss to coat the pasta with the sauce, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time to achieve the desired sauce consistency.
Add the Asparagus:
- Stir the sautéed asparagus into the pasta and toss again.
- Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Garnish and Serve:
- Transfer the pasta to serving plates.
- Top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of fresh parsley. Serve immediately.