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Easy One Pot Lemon Garlic Parmesan Pasta Recipe

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Creamy one-pot lemon garlic parmesan pasta: simple, flavorful, and ready in under 30 minutes! Perfect for busy weeknights or elegant dinners.

  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz (340 g) linguine or spaghetti
  • 4 cups (960 ml) chicken or vegetable broth
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • Juice of 2 lemons
  • 1 cup (100 g) Parmesan-style cheese, grated (using non-animal rennet; divided)
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) heavy cream
  • ¼ cup (15 g) fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Combine your base ingredients
    Start by adding the pasta, broth, olive oil, garlic, and lemon zest to your pot. Yes, everything goes in at once—no pre-boiling required! Bring it to a boil over high heat.

    Pro tip: Stir frequently to keep the pasta from sticking to itself or the pot.

  2. Simmer and stir
    Once it boils, reduce the heat to medium-low. Let the pasta simmer, stirring often. You’ll notice the liquid starting to reduce and thicken into a creamy sauce. This takes about 8-10 minutes.
  3. Check your pasta
    Test the pasta for doneness—it should be al dente. If it needs more time, add a splash of water or broth to keep things from drying out.
  4. Stir in the good stuff
    Remove the pot from heat and stir in the lemon juice, half the Parmesan, and the cream. Keep mixing until everything is beautifully combined.
  5. Add the finishing touches
    Toss in the chopped parsley, season with salt and pepper, and sprinkle on a pinch of red pepper flakes if you’re feeling fancy.
  6. Rest, then serve
    Let the pasta sit for 2-3 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken slightly. Serve it up hot, with extra Parmesan on top.

Notes

This recipe makes about 4 servings, but it’s super easy to scale up or down. For smaller batches, simply halve the ingredients. If you’re cooking for a crowd, double everything—but use a wider pot to ensure the pasta cooks evenly. Just remember to taste and adjust seasoning as you go!

  • Author: Nora
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Lunch