Many years ago, during my bachelorette days when I was cooking only for myself, this easy Lemon Pasta was one of my go-to recipes! Although I loved to cook back then – more specifically, I loved to cook for other people. So during the week, my usual single-gal routine was to come home from work, go for a run, and then make a quick and easy dinner for myself!
This lemon pasta is about as simple a recipe as you can get – pasta, melted butter and freshly grated parmesan cheese – but the addition of the juice and zest of a lemon completely transforms this dish into something special! The fresh lemon flavor really brightens up the cheesy pasta – and you can eat this as meal on its own (almost like a simple yet sophisticated macaroni & cheese), as a side dish to grilled chicken – or mix in some sautéed vegetables for a healthier version!
Even years later, I still find myself making this simple, delicious dish again and again! And, my husband Jack loves this dish too!
This lemon pasta is the last recipe in our weekly series of simple – but really delicious – recipes using five ingredients or less! We hope you’ve been convinced that even with just a few simple, flavorful ingredients – you can create a truly wonderful dish!
PrintLemon Pasta
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 6 tablespoons butter
- Juice from one lemon
- Zest from one lemon
- 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, plus more for adding to finished dish
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions.
- In a small pan, melt butter and add juice and zest from lemon.
- When pasta is cooked, drain and add back to pan along with butter mixture. Pour cheese over and toss.
- Serve with additional cheese sprinkled over each portion.
See the rest of our series of terrific recipes made with five ingredients or less:
Loved it was very refreshing
taste!
Liked that it was very simple to make! 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻
Thank you Gloria!
I eat this at Da Paolino Lemontrees (Sicily) last year.
Amazing pasta!!!!
Thanks Beatriz! Good memories… 🙂
I just made this, and it is very good!
Thanks Bella!
I think my daughter would eat this every day of her life. Lemon, butter and cheese over pasta – I don’t think you need much more than that!
A girl after my own heart – I could eat this everyday too! 🙂
I’m Italian, so grew up eating pasta with butter and pecorino. And now my kids do too! But this is a lovely little twist, and yet so simple to change things up. Great recipe, Thanks!
Thanks Sherri! Please let us know how you like the recipe!