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–+ servings
Pasta swirled in a bowl with spinach, cheese, and lemon slices on the side.
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5 from 4 votes

Lemon Pepper Pasta

Delicious and budget friendly, this lemon pepper pasta is bright and zesty, and super easy to make. This 20-minute meal
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time20 minutes
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Italian Inspired
Servings: 4
Calories: 400kcal
Author: Jacqueline Piper

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 8 oz long pasta like spaghettini see notes
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 3 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • kosher salt to taste
  • 2 cups spinach chopped
  • ½ cup grated Asiago cheese
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Prep: Make sure everything is prepped and ready to go, the sauce takes only 2 minutes to put together.
  • Cook the pasta: Boil a pot of water for the pasta and cook it to al dente, according to the package instructions.
  • Save the water: When the pasta has a few minutes left to cook, reserve one cup of the cooking water, and start heating the oil in a skillet over medium heat.
    Once cooked, drain the pasta and set aside.
  • Make the sauce: Add the garlic to the oil and cook, stirring, for about a minute or until fragrant, being careful not to let it get too brown.
    Add the pepper, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Stir.
  • Mix: Add the sauce to the pasta. Add the spinach. Add cheese if using. Stir and heat through (about 1 minute).
    Add pasta water slowly while stirring to make a sauce. I usually use almost the whole cup.
    Let sit for a few minutes to let the sauce thicken slightly and the spinach wilt.
  • Serve: with extra cracked black pepper, grated cheese, and lemon slices (all optional).

Video

Notes

Substitutions/Additions:
Try a different pasta like linguine, fettuccine, or spaghetti.
Use green peas, asparagus, or kale instead of spinach.
Add a protein on the side like grilled chicken, shrimp, or veggie balls. 
Serve more vegetables on the side like steamed or roasted broccoli or green beans.
Store in the fridge for 4-5 days - reheat in the microwave or a skillet with a splash of water.

Nutrition

Serving: 2oz pasta | Calories: 400kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 19g | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g