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Lemon Garlic Asparagus Pasta Recipe

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4.1 from 6 reviews

This Lemon Garlic Asparagus Pasta is a quick and vibrant dish perfect for a light lunch or dinner. Featuring tender asparagus sautéed with fragrant garlic and butter, tossed with pasta and brightened by fresh lemon zest and juice, it delivers a delicious balance of flavors in just 25 minutes. Ideal for those who enjoy fresh, simple meals with a citrusy twist.

Ingredients

Pasta

  • 8 oz. pasta (uncooked)

Vegetables

  • 1 bunch asparagus (about 1 lb.)
  • 2 garlic cloves (minced)
  • 1 lemon (zested and juiced)

Other

  • 2 Tbsp butter
  • Salt (to taste)
  • Black pepper (freshly cracked, to taste)

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta: Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until tender as per package instructions. Reserve about 1/2 cup of the starchy cooking water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
  2. Prepare the asparagus: While the pasta cooks, trim the bottom 1/2 to 1 inch of the asparagus stems to remove tough, woody parts. Chop the remaining asparagus into 1-inch pieces.
  3. Simmer the asparagus: Place the chopped asparagus in a large skillet with about 1/2 inch of water. Cover with a lid and bring to a boil. Steam and simmer for about 2 minutes until the asparagus turns bright green and is slightly tender. Drain the asparagus and return it to the skillet.
  4. Sauté garlic and asparagus: Add butter and minced garlic to the skillet with the asparagus. Sauté over medium heat for about 2 minutes until the garlic is soft and fragrant. Turn off the heat.
  5. Combine pasta and asparagus: Add the cooked and drained pasta to the skillet. Toss to combine and coat the pasta with garlic butter. Season with salt and freshly cracked pepper to taste.
  6. Add lemon zest and juice: Zest the lemon over the pasta using a zester or small-holed grater. Then slice the lemon in half and squeeze fresh lemon juice onto the pasta. Toss well to combine. If the pasta seems dry, add a splash of the reserved pasta cooking water.
  7. Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or lemon as desired. Serve the pasta warm.

Notes

  • Reserve some pasta cooking water to adjust the sauce consistency if needed.
  • Fresh lemon zest and juice add brightness but can be adjusted based on preference.
  • You can substitute butter with olive oil for a slightly lighter version.
  • For extra protein, consider adding grilled chicken or tofu.
  • This recipe works well with different pasta shapes like penne, fusilli, or spaghetti.

Find it online: https://cozyplatter.com/lemon-garlic-asparagus-pasta-recipe/