Lemon Spaghetti is an easy dish that is bursting with fresh, vibrant flavors. Light and delicious, this easy recipe is perfect for a quick dinner tonight!
Love lemon recipes? Make sure to try my Lemon Curd, Lemon Cookies, and Lemon Bread!
Lemon Spaghetti
There’s something about bringing my family together for a home-cooked meal that warms my soul. My family ate dinner together when I was growing up and it’s a tradition that I will continue with my children. Having a six year old and a four year old means that I frequently deal with, “I’m not going to eat that! It looks yucky!”
Thankfully there is a meal that I can pull together in 20 minutes and everyone loves it – pasta! No matter the form, no matter the sauce, when my kids see pasta they say “Yum!” I love how quick a pasta dinner is to pull together – get the pasta going, cook your proteins and/or veggies, throw a baguette in the oven and you’re halfway done!
For World Pasta Day I served up Lemon Spaghetti. Bursting with fresh, vibrant flavor- the spaghetti was a complete success! It was so light, so delicious – a meal the whole family could enjoy – together!
Lemon Spaghetti Ingredients
- spaghetti
- lemons
- extra virgin olive oil
- Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, freshly grated
- salt
- black pepper, freshly ground
- fresh basil, chopped
How To Make Lemon Spaghetti
- Grate lemon peels and place lemon zest in a small bowl.
- Juice the lemons into a separate bowl. Whisk the oil, lemon juice, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, salt, and pepper in a large bowl and blend.
- Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook, stirring occasionally until tender but still firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain, reserving 1 cup of cooking liquid.
- Add the spaghetti to the lemon sauce, and toss with the basil and lemon zest. Toss the pasta with enough reserved cooking liquid, 1/4 cup at a time, to moisten.
- Season the pasta with more salt and pepper to taste and serve.
As a busy mom, I totally understand the challenges we all face in getting a hot meal on the table for dinner. I also understand how important it is. Meals are a great way to reconnect with your family, to show how much you care, and to catch up on what happened that day.
My children look forward to dinner time because they know that’s the one meal during the day that they share with both my husband and I. I love that my children enjoy this time together and making it a tradition now will make it easier to sustain as our lives and schedules get increasingly busy.
Being short on time doesn’t mean you can’t provide your family with a home-cooked meal. Barilla pasta makes it easy to prepare a meal in a reasonable amount of time AND it’s a meal that your whole family will LOVE!
More Pasta Dinners
- Jalapeño Popper Mac and Cheese
- The BEST Homemade Baked Mac and Cheese
- Tortellini Salad
- Tuna Casserole with Noodles
- Easy Stuffed Shells
How To Make Lemon Spaghetti
Quick and Easy Lemon Spaghetti
Ingredients
- 1 lb Barilla Spaghetti
- 2 fresh lemons
- 2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2/3 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese freshly grated
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper freshly ground
- 1/3 cup fresh basil chopped
Instructions
- Grate lemon peels and place lemon zest in a small bowl. Juice the lemons into a separate bowl. Whisk the oil, lemon juice, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, salt, and pepper in a large bowl and blend.
- Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook, stirring occasionally until tender but still firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain, reserving 1 cup of cooking liquid.
- Add the spaghetti to the lemon sauce, and toss with the basil and lemon zest. Toss the pasta with enough reserved cooking liquid, 1/4 cup at a time, to moisten.
- Season the pasta with more salt and pepper to taste and serve.
Nutrition
Kimberlee says
This looks delicious, light and I already have all the ingredients – perfect. I love your recipes and your family stories. Thanks so much for sharing!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
You just made me so happy Kimberlee! Thank you for leaving such a sweet comment. Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Jessi @ Practically Functional says
I’m just stopping by again this morning to let you know I featured this at Practically Functional today! You can check it out and grab a button here: http://practicallyfunctional.net/2012/11/the-fun-in-functional-link-party-25/
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thanks so much Jessi!
Tirabaralla says
Sounds yummy and truly Italian, so to say, TY for sharing 🙂
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Super yummy 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
Jessi @ Practically Functional says
Sounds delicious! I put lemon on my shrimp, but I never thought about putting it directly onto the pasta. Yum! Thanks for sharing at The Fun In Functional!
Lisa/Fresh Eggs Daily Farm Girl says
This looks great! I would love for you to share at my Farm Girl Blog Fest: http://fresh-eggs-daily.blogspot.com/2012/11/farm-girl-blog-fest-7.html
Lisa
Fresh Eggs Daily
Shannah @ Just Us Four says
I love lemon spaghetti! It always tastes so light and fresh. This is fantastic! Would you consider sharing it at my Pinworthy Projects Party? I hope to see you there.
Nicky @ Pink Recipe Box says
Yum! Sounds fantastic! I love lemon spaghetti but I’ve never tried it with cheese before. Pinning 🙂
Katie says
Hi Trish,
I’m kind of obsessed with anything lemon. Lemon and pasta is especially right up my alley. Thanks for the recipe.
Kelly @ Semi Homemade Mom says
Trish, this looks so good! Love finding new ideas for meatless meals. I host a Wednesday party now if you’d like to share:
http://www.semihomemademom.com/2012/10/show-share-wednesday-10-happy-halloween.html
Christin@FortMillSCLiving says
Looks delicious! Love lemon pasta!
folkhaven says
Wow… now I’m really hungry!
Dana DeVolk says
Yummy!! Looks great!
<3 Dana @ This Silly Girl's Life
Anonymous says
I just discovered Trader Joe’s frozen artichoke hearts and I think they would be wonderful in this. Also add shrimp or tuna perfect with the lemon
Lose Your Belly.com says
Very nice light pasta idea. Thanks
Kristy Creighton says
This looks yummy and I have the ingredients on hand! I think I’ll make this for my lunch! 🙂
Kristy @ Shona Skye Creations
http://shonaskye.blogspot.com
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
It’s so good Kristy! Let me know what you think 🙂 Make sure to Share a Hug too!