Earlier this week I shared a 15-minute veggie stir-fry, and now I’m bringing you another speedy dinner: a 20-minute lemon parmesan pasta. Both meals are fast, but don’t let the short cook times fool you — they taste like you spent much longer in the kitchen.
Lemon, parmesan, and garlic are a simple but irresistible flavor combination. The parmesan and garlic add richness and depth, while the lemon brightens everything up. Together they create a balanced, fresh-tasting pasta that feels light but satisfying.
This recipe is especially appealing because it’s so easy. Cook the pasta and, while it’s boiling, make a five-ingredient sauce. Toss the pasta with the sauce and parmesan, and dinner is ready. It’s a perfect quick weeknight meal when you want something flavorful without fuss.
I’ll be honest — I wasn’t thrilled with my photos this time. The light was fading and they didn’t turn out how I hoped, but the recipe itself is delicious, so I’m sharing it anyway. Other food bloggers, you know the feeling — it’s never fun to post pictures you don’t love, but trust me: the pasta is worth it.
We even had a snow day recently, which made this kind of simple, cozy meal perfect. Instead of driving in slippery conditions, I stayed home, relaxed, and watched New Girl while the pasta came together. Snow days and comforting meals are a great pairing.
Yay for snow days, easy recipes, and lemon parmesan pasta!
20 Minute Lemon Parmesan Pasta
5 from 4 reviews
- Author: Annie Chesson
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Total Time: 20 mins
- Yield: 7 1x
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 box whole wheat angel hair (or other thin pasta)
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1/4 cup butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes
- 1 cup grated parmesan, plus more for topping
- Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Bring a pot of seasoned water (it should taste like the ocean) to a boil over high heat.
- Cook your pasta until it is al dente.
- To make the sauce, melt the butter in a large skillet.
- Add the olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, and red pepper flakes to the skillet.
- Simmer the sauce lightly while the pasta finishes cooking.
- Drain the pasta, reserving a little pasta water if you like a looser sauce.
- Add the pasta and grated parmesan to the sauce and toss to combine, adding a splash of pasta water if needed.
- If the pasta sits and dries out, stir in a bit more olive oil or butter to restore moisture.
If you enjoy fast, flavorful dinners, try these other quick recipes from the blog:
15 Minute Veggie Stir Fry
Simple Kale Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette
Baked Garlic Parmesan Chicken Strips