• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Platein28
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Crafts
  • Screen Time
  • Blog
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Crafts
  • Screen Time
  • Blog
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • Ă—

    Home » Quick and Simple Spring Recipes

    Lemony Garlic Pasta (One Pot!)

    Published: Nov 12, 2022 by Marcie Groller · This post may contain affiliate links

    Pin
    Share
    Tweet
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    lemon garlic pasta in bowl

    This Lemony Garlic Pasta is the perfect go-to weeknight meal! Simple, yet packed with vibrant flavor, this dish requires just ONE pot and comes together in 28 minutes or less!

    lemony garlic pasta on blue place mat

    Our Lemony Garlic Pasta can be served alone or as a side dish with one of your favorite proteins, like these Panko Parmesan Pork Chops or Easy Baked Cod. It would also make a great side for a Thanksgiving turkey or holiday ham!

    This lemony garlic pasta dish was inspired by our Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta, but with an added creaminess and lemon flavor. It also pairs well with our Roasted Asparagus with Parmesan.

    Jump to:
    • 👍 Why We Love This Lemony Garlic Pasta
    • đź›’ Ingredients
    • 👩🏾‍🍳 Instructions
    • ✔️ Expert Tips and Tricks
    • 🥖 What to Eat with Lemony Garlic Pasta
    • âť“FAQ
    • 👶🏾 Tips for Picky Eaters
    • đź§Š Storage
    • đź§¶ Crafts for this Recipe
    • 🍽 Other Pasta & Rice Dishes
    • 🍋 Lemony Garlic Pasta

    👍 Why We Love This Lemony Garlic Pasta

    Quick-Like all of our recipes, this dish can be made in 28 minutes or less. 

    Bursting with flavor! The best part about this dish is fresh lemon juice, which imparts so much flavor! The freshly squeezed lemon juice and red pepper flakes give this dish a unique pop of flavor that you won't be able to get enough of!

    Basic Ingredients- You are likely to have many of the ingredients in your panty or fridge/freezer.

    ONE pot! You'll only need ONE pot for this lemony garlic pasta. Minimal mess, minimal cleanup! If you love creamy, one pot pasta and rice dishes, be sure to try our Creamy Vegetable Pasta and Creamy Chicken Pea Skillet!

    lemony garlic pasta in bowl with lemon slices

    đź›’ Ingredients

    ingredients lemon garlic pasta

    Notes on Ingredients (full list of ingredients and quantities available in recipe card):

    • Pasta- Any long, dry pasta will work. We've made the dish with both Bucatini and spaghetti!
    • Chicken broth/stock- We love Better Than Bouillon Organic Roasted Chicken Base.
    • Garlic-Chopped or minced.
    • Lemon- Freshly squeezed lemon juice is best.
    • Milk- We used 2% milk to keep this dish lite, but heavy cream or half and half can also be used for a richer finish.
    • Seasoning- Red pepper flakes are totally optional but do add a little heat to this dish!
    • Parmesan-Grated or finely shredded. We recommend a high-quality Parmigiano-Reggiano.

    👩🏾‍🍳 Instructions

    onion cooking in pan

    Heat oil in a pot. Add garlic and sauté for 2-3 minutes until brown and fragrant.

    pasta cooking in pan

    Add chicken broth, seasoning and pasta to the pot. Bring to a boil and cook for 8-10 minutes. 

    adding milk to lemon pasta

    Stir in milk and lemon juice and cook together another 3-5 minutes on low. 

    adding cheese to lemon pasta

    Add parmesan and stir until melted. Optional: Add 2 teaspoons of red pepper flakes for extra spice. Serve with lemon slices/wedges and top with extra parmesan and parsley as desired.

    🥄 Kid Steps: Let kids mix everything together! They can toss pasta using a large spoon or tongs!

    close up of lemon garlic pasta in pot

    ✔️ Expert Tips and Tricks

    • Use a large pan or pot to fit pasta as it cooks.
    • While we love fresh garlic, jarred, chopped or minced garlic always works when you're in a pinch!
    • Be sure to roll your lemon before juicing. See these tips on juicing a lemon!
    • If pasta is not covered by broth, slowly add more broth until spaghetti is just barely covered.
    • Use fresh basil and/or parsley instead of jarred if possible!
    • To add more or less “heat,” simply modify the amount of red pepper flakes. Start with a pinch or 1 teaspoon and add more as needed.

    🥖 What to Eat with Lemony Garlic Pasta

    This Lemony Garlic Parmesan Pasta will serve 4 as a main dish, up to 6 as a side. You can pair this dish with bread or a starter, like salad or soup. You might consider pairing with one of the following:

    • Roasted Asparagus with Parmesan
    • Panko Parmesan Pork Chops
    • Easy Baked Cod
    • Turkey Burger Sliders
    • Baked Chicken & Squash
    • Butternut Squash Soup
    • White Bean Soup

    ❓FAQ

    Is this lemony garlic pasta vegetarian?

    Because of the chicken broth, this dish is not considered a vegetarian meal. To make it vegetarian, simply swap the chicken broth for vegetable broth.

    How can I make this dish vegan?

    To make this dish vegan, simply replace the chicken broth with a vegetable base/broth (double-check it's vegan) and use a dairy-free option like cashew or almond milk instead of cow's milk. Finally, either omit the parmesan altogether or swap for a couple tablespoons of nutritional yeast.

    Can I use garlic powder instead of fresh garlic for this dish?

    We strongly encourage you to use fresh garlic for this dish, but you can use garlic powder. The flavor just won't be nearly as vibrant.

    How much lemon juice does one lemon produce?

    Typically, a large lemon can produce 4 Tablespoons of lemon juice, which will be plenty for this lemony garlic pasta dish.

    lemon garlic pasta in bowl with sliced lemons

    👶🏾 Tips for Picky Eaters

    🍅 Let kids pick the pasta! Any long, thin pasta of their choice will work!

    🍅 Tone down the spice. Leave out the red pepper flakes or add them at the end to individual servings.

    🍅 Kids choose a side. Garlic Bread is always a hit! My kids' favorite is Pepperidge Farm's frozen garlic bread. Or, let kids choose a side of their favor fruit or raw veggies, like cucumber slices, sugar snap peas, baby tomatoes, celery sticks, carrot sticks, grapes, sliced apple or sliced pear.

    đź§Š Storage

    Store: This dish is best served immediately. Store this lemony garlic pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.

    Reheat: Reheat in the microwave or in a saucepan over the stove. Note: To prevent the sauce from having a sticky texture when reheating, sprinkle with 1-2 Tablespoons of water before reheating.

    Freezing this lemony garlic pasta dish is not recommended.

    đź§¶ Crafts for this Recipe

    Need a craft to keep kids busy while you cook? We've got you! Use extra dry spaghetti to make Rainbow Spaghetti Art with Words or grab a extra lemon for a Lemon Volcano Experiment!

    child holding rainbow spaghetti art with words sky and unicorn
    2020/08/curious-chef-knife-peeler-scrubber.jpg

    🍽 Other Pasta & Rice Dishes

    • spoon scooping up coconut curry in green bowl
      Coconut Curry Recipe for Kids
    • hand holding fork and bowl of pasta with roasted veggies and pesto sauce
      Delicious, Simple Recipe for Pesto Pasta
    • creamy vegetable pasta in spoon
      Creamy Vegetable Pasta
    • closeup of lasagna soup in bowl
      The Best One Pot Lasagna Soup

    Follow Platein28 on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook and Sign up for our newsletter for all the latest recipes and crafts!

    lemon garlic pasta with lemons in bowl
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Email Recipe Share on Facebook

    🍋 Lemony Garlic Pasta

    Author: Marcie & Julie
    Our Lemony Garlic Pasta is packed with vibrant flavor, comes together in 20 minutes, and requires just ONE pot! The perfect weeknight meal!
    Prep Time5 mins
    Cook Time15 mins
    Total Time20 mins
    Course: Dinner, Lunch, Main Course, Side Dish
    Cuisine: American, Americanized Italian
    Servings: 6

    Equipment

    • Wide skillet, pan or pot

    Ingredients

    • 1.5 Tablespoon olive oil
    • 2 cloves garlic chopped or minced
    • 3.5 cups chicken broth
    • 1 pound spaghetti or linguini
    • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
    • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
    • ½ teaspoon basil
    • ÂĽ teaspoon black pepper
    • ÂĽ teaspoon salt
    • 1 cup milk 2 percent
    • 3 Tablespoons lemon juice ideally freshly squeezed
    • ½ cup parmesan cheese grated or finely shredded
    • 1-2 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional

    Instructions

    • Heat oil in a pot. Add garlic and sautĂ© for 2-3 minutes until brown and fragrant.
    • Add chicken broth, seasoning and pasta to the pot. If pasta is not covered by broth, slowly aadd more broth until spaghetti is just barely covered. Bring to a boil and cook for 8-10 minutes.
    • Stir in milk and lemon juice and cook together another 3-5 minutes on low.
    • Add parmesan and stir until melted. Optional: Add 2 teaspoons of red pepper flakes for extra spice. Serve with lemon slices/wedges and topped with extra parmesan and parsley as desired. 
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Notes

    • Use a large pan or pot to fit pasta as it cooks.
    • While we love fresh garlic, jarred, chopped or minced garlic always works when you're in a pinch!
    • Be sure to roll your lemon before juicing. See these tips on juicing a lemon!
    • If pasta is not covered by broth, slowly add more broth until spaghetti is just barely covered.
    • Use fresh basil and/or parsley instead of jarred if preferable!
    • To add more or less “heat,” simply modify the amount of red pepper flakes. Start with a pinch or 1 teaspoon and add more as needed.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1servingCalories: 383.9kcal (19%)Carbohydrates: 61.2g (20%)Protein: 14.7g (29%)Fat: 8.6g (13%)Saturated Fat: 2.8g (18%)Polyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3.5gCholesterol: 14.9mg (5%)Sodium: 777.2mg (34%)Potassium: 291.6mg (8%)Fiber: 2.7g (11%)Sugar: 4.8g (5%)Vitamin A: 244.1IU (5%)Vitamin C: 3.2mg (4%)Calcium: 151.7mg (15%)Iron: 1.3mg (7%)

    *Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. While we are not certified nutritionists, we work with a WordPress-integrated nutrition API to calculate our recipes' ingredient values.

    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @Platein28 or tag #platein28!

    Want more 28-minute recipes? Sign up and get recipes straight to your inbox!

    You May Also Like

    • collage of four Italian sausage recipes
      35 Easy Italian Sausage Recipes for Dinner
    • collage of sliders for kids
      The 10 Best Sliders for Kids (Quick and Simple!)
    • hot dogs in crescent rolls on plate
      Hot Dogs in Crescent Rolls
    • baked white fish with lemon, broccoli and fries
      Easy Baked Cod with Panko and Parmesan

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Welcome!

    Julie & Marcie in kitchen

    We are two sisters with young kids who want to help simplify mealtime for busy families! Platein28 is our family’s unofficial guide to wading through mealtime chaos. Here you will find quality recipes that take 28 minutes or less, with activities to occupy your kids so you can actually cook.

    More about us →

    Spring Recipes

    • bowl of guacamole and tortilla chips on orange tablecloth
      4 Ingredient Guacamole Recipe
    • four types of egg recipes
      13 Easy Egg Recipes
    • eggs benedict with bacon, asparagus, and mixed greens
      Eggs Benedict with Bacon & Asparagus
    • mini egg bites on a wooden table
      The Best Mini Egg Bites with Ham and Cheese
    • baked frittata in pan with sausage, mushrooms and broccoli
      The Easiest Sausage Frittata Recipe
    • vegan mac and cheese in a mini cocotte with red napkin
      Dairy-Free Mac and Cheese (for the Family)

    Popular Recipes

    • the sloppy joes one white plate
      Old Fashioned Sloppy Joes Recipe
    • stacked pancakes
      Easy Cinnamon Pancakes with Vanilla
    • chicken, rice and peas in small blue crockpot with lid on side
      Creamy Chicken Pea Skillet with Rice (One Pan!)
    • carrot sticks on a plate
      How to Cut Carrot Sticks
    • turkey burger sliders spread out on large plate
      The Easiest Turkey Burger Sliders
    • Sandwich with beef, cheese and onion on a long roll
      Easy Philly Cheesesteak Recipe

    Kids Crafts & Activities

    • three colorful pumpkins
      Fun with Melting Crayons on Pumpkins
    • eight melted crayon hearts in rows
      Fun with Melting Crayons in the Oven
    • different pastas dyed different colors drying on parchment paper
      How to Dye Pasta for Crafts
    • two red fish puppets
      Adorable DIY Fish Puppet
    • tissue paper vase with red and yellow flowers
      Cow-Themed Tissue Paper Vase
    • red and white Mushroom Village house
      Adorable Mushroom Craft for Kids

    Footer

    ^ back to top

    About

    • About Platein28
    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility Policy
    • Graphics courtesy of Fred Chao

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    Have comments or questions?

    Send us an email!


    We earn a commission through purchases made through partner and affiliate sites.

    Copyright © 2020-2022 Platein28 on the Foodie Pro Theme

    We use cookies to improve your experience. By continuing to use this site, you consent tocookiesbeing used. Visit our Privacy Policy for more information.
    ACCEPT
    Privacy & Cookies Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    Non-necessary
    Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
    SAVE & ACCEPT