Description
A light, creamy, and zesty one-pot lemon pasta dish made in just 15 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights, this meal uses pantry staples and fresh herbs for maximum flavor with minimal effort.
Ingredients
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12 oz spaghetti, linguine, or bucatini
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2 leeks, thinly sliced
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2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
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Zest and juice of 1 lemon (plus extra zest for garnish)
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3 sprigs fresh basil (plus more for garnish)
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1 tsp kosher salt
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¾ tsp ground black pepper (plus more for garnish)
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1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
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4½ cups water
Instructions
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In a large pot, combine pasta, leeks, garlic, lemon zest, basil sprigs, salt, pepper, and water.
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Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and cook uncovered for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
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Once pasta is tender and water has reduced, remove from heat.
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Stir in lemon juice and Parmesan until creamy.
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Garnish with fresh basil, lemon zest, and black pepper before serving.
Notes
- Substitute leeks with shallots or onions if needed.
- Add grilled chicken or shrimp for a heartier version.
- Use gluten-free pasta to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: One-Pot
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired