Lemon Pasta

Lately, in our house, we have been on a minimal butter journey. When I saw this recipe on feel good foodie, I thought it was perfect. Garlic, lemon, olive oil and pasta water all come together to make a delicious low maintenance dinner that will have your mouth singing.

You will need:

• 1 lb spaghetti

• 1/2 cup of reserved pasta water

• 1/4 cup olive oil

• 3 cloves garlic minced

• 3 tablespoons fresh parsley

• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper

• 1 tablespoon lemon zest

• 3 tablespoons lemon juice

• parmesan cheese

• salt

• pepper

Start the water for your noodles. Recently, we have switched to whole wheat pasta in our house, but you use what you want and what you have. This recipe moves really fast, so while don't start your sauce until your noodles are almost done. While my water was coming to a boil, I prepared my other ingredients.

Let me take the time to tell you something I have learned since Christmas, if you cook regularly, you need a good set of knives. I didn't know what I was missing until I received a set of HOSHANHO knives. Chopping into the parsley in this Lemon Pasta recipe truly showed me just how crappy all my other knives had been in comparison and what a difference it can make!

One thing I would change about the way I made this recipe is I would save more pasta water. I would've liked just a little bit more coat on the noodles. So, keep that in mind as we move on.

In a skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil. Add the garlic, parsley and crushed red pepper and cook until fragrant. Add the lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, pasta water. I cooked this for a minute before adding the pasta.

Add the pasta and toss to mix. At this point you want to keep on the heat only to heat everything up. Remove from the heat and add in parmesan cheese. I used freshly grated parmesan, but you can use what you have. Mix and it should stick to the noodles, you can also garnish with parsley and extra cheese. Enjoy!

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Recipe Card

Lemon Pasta

You will need:

• 1 lb spaghetti

• 1/2 cup of reserved pasta water

• 1/4 cup olive oil

• 3 cloves garlic minced

• 3 tablespoons fresh parsley

• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper

• 1 tablespoon lemon zest

• 3 tablespoons lemon juice

• parmesan cheese

• salt

• pepper

1. Cook spaghetti, making sure to salt water. Reserve 1/2- 1 cup of pasta water.

2. In a skillet heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic, parsley, and crushed pepper and cook until fragrant. Add lemon juice, lemon zest, salt and 1/2 cup pasta water. I let that cook for just a minute.

3. Add pasta into the skillet and toss to coat. If you need more pasta water you can add at this point.

4. Remove from heat and add parmesan cheese, toss to coat.

5. Garnish with parsley and parmesan cheese.