Easy One Pot Creamy Lemon Garlic Pasta Recipe

Jessica Kostka — Tue, 06 Jun 2023 02:46:06 +0000

Make this One Pot Lemon Pasta recipe for a quick and easy weeknight dinner!

Packed with bright lemon flavours and garlic, this recipe comes together so simply.

It’s a tasty, affordable dinner which you can make with minimal effort and the whole family is sure to enjoy it!

On busy weeknights one-pot pasta recipes like this Easy One Pot Veggie Pasta and this One Pot Tomato & Sausage Pasta are a go-to for our family. I love that all we need are a few key ingredients and a single pot like a dutch oven to cook in.

If you love easy pasta recipes with minimal clean-up, this is the one for you!

Why you’ll love this one pot lemon pasta

It’s a simple pasta recipe with delicious and bold flavours!
While it’s delicious as a main dish, this pasta would also be a wonderful side for a weekday meal or a dinner party when pairing with chicken or fish.
It only takes about 20 minutes to make so it’s perfect for a busy weeknight dinner.
You can make it your own by adding in any favourite vegetables or proteins.

This one-pot lemon pasta recipe is made with simple ingredients which you might already have on hand!

Ingredients needed to make creamy lemon pasta

Butter and olive oil: for the base of the recipe and to add a little more creaminess once cooked.

Garlic: fresh garlic brings the flavour to pair with the lemon.

Spices: salt, pepper, dried oregano and chili flakes are the spice base for this recipe.

Dried pasta noodles: rigatoni, mezzi rigatoni, penne or ziti should all work well for this dish.

Lemon: zest and fresh lemon juice from fresh lemons will give you the best lemon flavour!

Vegetable broth: the key to this one pot lemon pasta dish as the pasta and other spices will cook in it.

Parmesan cheese: you don’t need heavy cream, just the parmesan cheese lends to the creaminess of the recipe!

Fresh basil: a beautiful garnish for the finished dish!

The combination of the vegetable broth, starches from the pasta, parmesan cheese and lemon creates a beautifully creamy lemon sauce. It’s definitely hard to just have one serving!

Step by step process for making this lemon garlic pasta

Step 1: To a large pot or pan with high sides add 2 tbsp olive oil and bring to medium heat. Once warmed, add garlic and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened.

Step 2: Next add the lemon zest, salt, black pepper, dried oregano and red pepper flakes (if using).

Step 3: Then, stir in pasta noodles and add the vegetable broth. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat and once simmering, turn to medium-low to keep at a simmer. Cook for 12-14 minutes, keeping the lid most of the way on the pot. Stir about every 2 minutes to keep the pasta from sitcking to the bottom of the pot. (Note: Cooking times will vary based on the brand of pasta used. Start checking the pasta for doneness based on the cook time on the pasta package).

Step 4: Once noodles are cooked, there should be just a bit of liquid left, covering the bottom of the pot. If you find the noodles need a bit more time, add 1/2 cup more broth at a time and cook a bit longer until done. Finally, stir in lemon juice, parmesan cheese and 1 tbsp butter until fully combined and you have a smooth and cream sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper or red chili flakes if desired.

Step 5: Top with shredded parmesan cheese, more lemon zest and fresh basil and enjoy!

Easy One Pot Creamy Lemon Garlic Pasta Recipe

This One Pot Lemon Garlic Pasta recipe will help you get dinner on the table in 30 minutes! It's quick and easy to make & packed with flavour!

Course dinner

Cuisine american-inspired

Keyword one pot pasta

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 20

Total Time 30

Servings

Author Jess

Ingredients

3 tbsp unsalted butter or olive oil
4 garlic cloves, minced or pressed
zest of one lemon
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp dried oregano
pinch chili flakes (optional)
400-450g dried pasta noodles (rigatoni or mezzie rigatoni)
4 1/2 cups vegetable broth (or water, see notes below)
2 tbsp lemon juice
1 cup shredded parmesan cheese
1 tbsp butter
garnish with: more shredded parmesan cheese, lemon zest and fresh basil

Instructions

To a large pot or pan with high sides add 2 tbsp olive oil and bring to medium heat. Once warmed, add garlic and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened.
Next add the lemon zest, salt, black pepper, dried oregano and red pepper flakes (if using).
Then, stir in pasta noodles and add 4 cups vegetable broth. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat and once simmering, turn to medium-low to keep at a simmer. Cook for 12-14 minutes, keeping the lid most of the way on the pot. Stir about every 2 minutes to keep the pasta from sitcking to the bottom of the pot. (Note: Cooking times will vary based on the brand of pasta used. Start checking the pasta for doneness based on the cook time on the pasta package).
Once noodles are cooked, there should be just a bit of liquid left, covering the bottom of the pot. If you find the noodles need a bit more time, add 1/2 cup more broth at a time and cook a bit longer until done. Finally, stir in lemon juice, parmesan cheese and 1 tbsp butter until fully combined and you have a smooth and cream sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper or red chili flakes if desired.
Top with shredded parmesan cheese, more lemon zest and fresh basil and enjoy!

Notes

If you don't have fresh basil, fresh parsley would also work well as a garnish
Rigatoni, mezzi rigatoni, penne or ziti should all work well in this recipe for the pasta as their cooking times are fairly similar.
If you don't have vegetable broth, try chicken broth or you can even use water. Just note if using water since it doesn't have any flavouring like a vegetable or chicken broth, you may need to adjust the seasonings further by adding more salt, pepper or dried oregano. Taste and adjust how you see fit.

Expert tips

Want to add more greens to this meal? At the end of the cooking time try stirring in sweet peas, fresh baby spinach or other fresh herbs. Or, opt to serve with a fresh arugula salad dressed simply with lemon juice and olive oil.
Add your favourite protein to top this pasta if you’d like!
When reheating the pasta leftovers you can use the microwave or reheat on low in a frying pan – be sure to add a splash of broth if reheating on the stovetop to make sure the sauce stays creamy.
If you find your pasta is not quite done yet and there isn’t much liquid left, add 1/2 cup more water or broth at a time and keep cooking until done. Contrary, if you find there’s a bit too much liquid at the end of the cooking time, you can turn the heat up to medium-high to cook down the sauce a bit more.

FAQ

Can I use another herb for garnish?
YES! Fresh parsley would also work well.

Will different pasta shapes work in this one pot pasta recipe?
Rigatoni, mezzi rigatoni, penne or ziti should all work well in this recipe as their cooking times are fairly similar.

Can I use something other than vegetable broth?
You sure can. Try chicken broth or you can even use water. Just note if using water since it doesn’t have any flavouring like a vegetable or chicken broth, you may need to adjust the seasonings further by adding more salt, pepper or dried oregano. Taste and adjust how you see fit.

Having the noodles simmer together in the all of the spices and flavourings creates the most dreamy sauce. And, while I love this for a weeknight dinner I’d be happy to serve it to guests for a dinner party too.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. If you want to meal prep this recipe, simply let the dish fully cool and then divide into containers. Top with any protein or vegetable of choice and then keep in the fridge to enjoy for up to 3 days.