Easy Sunny Lemon and Basil Spaghetti
By Rebecca St.Clair
Lemon and basil spaghetti pasta is rich, bright, and incredibly versatile. The perfect easy and light dinner with just lemon, olive oil, herbs, and cheese or add in grilled chicken, shrimp, or chickpeas for added protein.
Not only is this meal delicious, you can whip up this gourmet meal in under 30 minutes making it ideal for busy nights when you want something flavourful, satisfying, and effortless.
The bright, sunny flavour brings a refreshing wholesome felling to the regular dinner menu. The sharpness of lemon complements the richness of olive oil and nutty cheese, creating a perfect balance of flavours.
This easy pasta recipe is simple while still feeling sophisticated and indulgent at the same time.
Storage
While this is a super quick and easy recipe, you can save leftovers.
Fridge
To store the leftovers in the fridge,
- Allow the pasta to cool to room temperature
- Cover fully with plastic wrap or store in an airtight container
- Store in the fridge for up to 2 day.
Freezer
While this pasta is best served fresh, to freeze leftovers,
- Allow the pasta to cool to room temperature
- Cover fully with plastic wrap or store in an airtight container
- Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Quick – This recipe comes together in about 15 minutes. Perfect for busy nights!
Easy – With only a handful of simple ingredients, this recipe proves that some of the best dishes are the simplest.
Wholesome – Packed with a healthy does of vitamin C, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Simple ingredients – Made with lemons, olive oil, basil, and parmesan this is a great recipe you can feel good about serving.
Can I make this recipe without pasta?
Yes! There are many delicious gluten-free pastas, or other pasta alternatives, to use with this easy lemon and basil spaghetti. Some great options are,
- Store bought pasta alternatives such as chickpea pasta, gluten-free pasta, lentil pasta, etc.
- Spiralized vegetables. Most commonly zucchini noodles but you can use a variety of vegetables cut this way.
- Spaghetti squash
- Rice
- Cauliflower rice
- quinoa
Can I use bottled lemon juice for this recipe?
Yes, bottled lemon juice tastes amazing in this recipe. Bottled lemon juice is normally made from juiced fresh lemons and is a great substitution for juicing your own.
Ingredients
Spaghetti – Use fresh or store bought dried noodles. Spaghetti can be substituted with your favourite type of pasta.
Parmesan cheese – This hard cheese has a delicious rich, nutty flavour. Romano or Asiago cheese will also work well in this recipe.
Lemons – The intense bright citrus from the lemon juice and lemon zest are used to flavour this recipe.
Olive oil – Oil is mixed with the cheese and lemon to form the light sauce.
Fresh basil – Bright fresh and earthy basil creates the perfect balance of flavours and adds the perfect pop of colour to the dish.
How to make Lemon and Basil Spaghetti
Method
- Cook 1 lb package spaghetti in a pot of boiling salted water, according to the package directions. Or make fresh pasta here.
- In a large pan on low heat, add 3/4 cups lemon juice, 2 teaspoons lemon zest, 2 cups grated parmesan cheese, and 2/3 cup olive oil.
3. Whisk to incorporate everything together.
4. Drain the pasta and add it to the sauce. Stir to coat and remove from heat.
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Finely dice 1 1/2 cups fresh basil and toss into the pasta.
7. Serve immediately.
8. Garnish with more parmesan cheese and fresh basil if desired.
Easy Lemon and Basil Spaghetti
The bright, sunny lemon and basil flavour brings a refreshing wholesome felling to the regular dinner menu.
Ingredients
- 3 lemons juiced
- 2 teaspoons lemon zest
- salt and pepper to taste
- 2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil 160 ml
- 2 cups grated parmesan cheese 200 g
- 1 1/2 cups fresh basil, finely diced
- 1 lb packaged spaghetti noodles 500 g
Instructions
- Cook the spaghetti according to the package directions. Of make fresh pasta here.
- In a large pan on low heat, add lemon juice, lemon zest, cheese, and oilve oil.
- Whisk to incorporate everything together.
- Drain the pasta and add it to the sauce, stir to coat.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Finely chop the fresh basil and toss into the pasta.
- Serve immediately.
- (optional) Garnish with more fresh basil and grated cheese if desired.
Nutrition Information
Yield
6Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 494Total Fat 34gSaturated Fat 9gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 23gCholesterol 29mgSodium 656mgCarbohydrates 34gFiber 2gSugar 2gProtein 15g
Nutrition information isn’t always accurate.
Hungry for some bread to serve on the side of your favourite pasta recipe? Hop over here!
Join the vintage living community and gain access to the free printables library! Receive emails that you’ll love and recipes straight to your inbox!
Creating you own family recipe book has never been easier! Print fun recipe cards like this one at home for free!
