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Vibrant Lemon Asparagus Pasta Recipe Easy Homemade Parmesan Delight

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A bright and fresh pasta dish featuring crisp-tender asparagus, zesty lemon, and creamy parmesan. Quick and easy to prepare, perfect for spring and summer meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 12 ounces (340g) linguine or fettuccine pasta
  • Zest and juice of 1 large lemon
  • ¾ cup (75g) freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Small handful fresh basil or parsley, chopped for garnish

Instructions

  1. Rinse asparagus and trim tough ends. Cut into 2-inch pieces.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 9-11 minutes. Reserve 1 cup (240ml) pasta water before draining.
  3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, avoiding browning.
  4. Add asparagus pieces and cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until bright green and tender-crisp.
  5. Stir in lemon zest and juice, red pepper flakes if using, and season with salt and black pepper. Mix gently.
  6. Add drained pasta to the skillet with asparagus and garlic. Toss together, gradually adding reserved pasta water a few tablespoons at a time to create a silky sauce. Cook for 2-3 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
  7. Remove skillet from heat and sprinkle parmesan cheese over pasta. Toss until cheese melts into the sauce.
  8. Garnish with chopped fresh basil or parsley and serve immediately while warm.

Notes

If the sauce is too thick, add more reserved pasta water to loosen it. Avoid overcooking asparagus to keep a fresh bite. Parmesan should be added off heat to prevent clumping. Save pasta water to emulsify the sauce for creaminess without cream.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon asparagus pasta, easy pasta recipe, parmesan pasta, spring pasta, quick dinner, vegetarian pasta

Find it online: https://realityeats.com/vibrant-lemon-asparagus-pasta-recipe-easy-homemade-parmesan-delight/