Imagine twirling your fork into a plate of delicate angel hair pasta, infused with the vibrant zest of lemon and the warm, comforting embrace of garlic. This isn't just another pasta recipe—it's a culinary escape to the sun-drenched coastlines of Italy, crafted in your very own kitchen. In just 20 minutes, you'll transform simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy dish that will make your taste buds dance and your dinner guests swoon with delight.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 20 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 8 oz angel hair pasta
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with water and add a generous pinch of salt. Bring the water to a rolling boil over high heat.
- Add the angel hair pasta to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions, typically 3-4 minutes, until the pasta is al dente. Be careful not to overcook, as angel hair pasta can become mushy quickly.
- While the pasta is cooking, prepare the sauce. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-low heat.
- Add the minced garlic to the olive oil and sauté gently for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent burning. The garlic should become fragrant but not brown.
- Using a microplane or fine grater, zest the entire lemon directly into the skillet with the garlic and olive oil.
- Squeeze the lemon juice into the skillet, creating a bright, aromatic sauce base.
- Reserve about 1/2 cup of pasta cooking water before draining the angel hair pasta.
- Drain the pasta and immediately transfer it to the skillet with the garlic-lemon sauce.
- Toss the pasta gently to coat it evenly with the sauce, adding a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to help the sauce cling to the pasta.
- Sprinkle the chopped fresh parsley over the pasta.
- Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, tossing once more to distribute the seasonings.
- Serve immediately in warmed pasta bowls, garnishing with additional parsley if desired.
Tips
- Salt Your Water Generously: The pasta water should taste like the sea to ensure well-seasoned pasta from the inside out.
- Watch the Clock: Angel hair pasta cooks incredibly fast. One minute can be the difference between perfectly al dente and mushy pasta.
- Reserve Pasta Water: The starchy water helps create a silky sauce and helps it cling to the pasta. Never drain completely without saving some liquid.
- Low and Slow Garlic: Sauté garlic on medium-low heat to prevent burning, which can make it bitter.
- Immediate Tossing: Transfer pasta to the sauce immediately after draining to ensure maximum flavor absorption.
- Fresh is Best: Use freshly zested lemon and chopped parsley for the brightest, most vibrant flavors.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 340kcal
Carbohydrates: g
Protein: g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 0mg
