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This easy Lemon Basil Pasta recipe is quick enough for a weeknight dinner, but tastes special for date night!
There’s nothing that I love more than a fresh, home cooked meal that isn’t time consuming. As the girls get a little older, I find myself busier than ever trying to keep up with school, parental responsibilities and finding time for a little fun in between.
This time of year, I find myself making this easy Lemon Basil Pasta.
It’s light, refreshing and everyone enjoys it. Even better, I can make it from start to finish in about 15 minutes including time to chop basil and grate fresh parmesan!
I first made my Lemon Basil Pasta one evening after a long day when we didn’t want to go anywhere, but we had very little at home – just staples and some leftover basil.
Out of fear I’d have to get out of my yoga pants, I whipped up a batch of my homemade pasta while throwing a few ingredients together and hoping for the best. You can also try this with my homemade egg noodles – I promise you won’t regret it!
Butter, garlic, white wine and why not try a little lemon juice? I garnished with fresh basil and parmesan (which is a staple in our home) and from that one of our favorite new recipes was born! It’s the perfect spring and summer pasta recipe so you can spend more time doing what you enjoy outdoors.
Table of Contents
Lemon Basil Pasta Ingredients
- Butter – Salted or unsalted, your preference.
- Minced Garlic – Freshly minced or from a jar in the produce section of your grocer.
- Lemon Juice – Freshly squeezed or store bought (in produce section and juice aisle, will say 100% lemon juice).
- White Wine – Use your favorite, whatever you have on hand or white cooking wine. Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio all work well.
- Basil – Fresh, sliced in thin strips.
- Parmesan – Fresh shavings of parmesan.
- Pasta – Use your favorite noodle or make your own egg noodles! It also pairs well with Arugula Pasta
Variations
- Add Baked Chicken Breast or Lemon Chicken
- Spiedini is a delicious way to add protein, too
- Add Scallops
- Add Shrimp
- Add Grilled Tofu
- Salt and Pepper to Taste
- Add Red Pepper Flakes with Butter and Garlic for a Little Heat
How to Make Lemon Basil Pasta
- Make Pasta – Bring a large pot of salty water to a boil and prepare pasta al dente. Strain.
- Make the Sauce – In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and add garlic. Reduce to medium low heat. Add lemon juice and wine. Stir until warm.
- Toss – Toss pasta with sauce.
- Garnish – Top with fresh grated parmesan and basil.
To Store
Refrigerate – Store in an airtight container up to 3 days. Top with fresh basil when ready to serve.
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If you love family friendly pasta dinners, don’t skip this incredible round-up of Chicken Pasta Recipes!
More Easy Pasta Recipes
Did you make this? Rate the recipe and tag me on social @julieblanner!
Lemon Basil Pasta
Light and refreshing Lemon Basil Pasta made with staple ingredients and topped with fresh strips of basil for amazing flavor.
Yield
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon garlic
- ½ cup lemon juice
- ½ cup white wine
- basil fresh, sliced thin
- parmesan freshly grated
- 1 pound pasta
Instructions
- Bring a pot of salty water to a boil. Prepare noodles al dente.
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and add garlic. Reduce to medium low heat.
- Add lemon juice and cooking wine, stir until warm.
- Toss with drained pasta.
- Top with parmesan and basil.
Tips
Substitutions
- Butter – Salted or unsalted, your preference.
- Minced Garlic – Freshly minced or from a jar in the produce section of your grocer.
- Lemon Juice – Freshly squeezed or store bought (in produce section and juice aisle, will say 100% lemon juice).
- White Wine – Use your favorite, whatever you have on hand or white cooking wine. Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio all work well.
- Pasta – Use your favorite noodle or make your own egg noodles! It also pairs well with Arugula Pasta
Optional Additions
- Baked Chicken Breast or Lemon Chicken
- Scallops
- Shrimp
- Grilled Tofu
- Salt and Pepper to Taste
- Add Red Pepper Flakes with Butter and Garlic for a Little Heat
To Store
- Refrigerate in an airtight container up to 3 days. Top with fresh basil.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 352kcal (18%), Carbohydrates: 59g (20%), Protein: 10g (20%), Fat: 7g (11%), Saturated Fat: 4g (20%), Cholesterol: 15mg (5%), Sodium: 56mg (2%), Potassium: 204mg (6%), Fiber: 2g (8%), Sugar: 3g (3%), Vitamin A: 175IU (4%), Vitamin C: 8mg (10%), Calcium: 19mg (2%), Iron: 1mg (6%)
Estimated nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is not guaranteed.
Lauren S says
This looks delish! Do you think italian sausage would go with it? My husband likes meat with his spaghetti and that is what I can currently find in my fridge that needs to be eaten 😉
Julie Blanner says
I’ve made it with both chicken and seafood but haven’t tried red meat. Let me know if you do! Enjoy!
Rebecca says
This is so delicious! I have made it several times and our whole family loves it! I like sautéed shrimp with it the best. I just sauté it in all the ingredients of the sauce in a separate pan…butter,garlic,a little lemon juice perfect! This meal has such a lovely lemon flavor I feel like I spent hours cooking or am sitting at a fancy restaurant every time I enjoy. Thanks!
Julie says
Thanks so much for sharing! I’m glad you enjoy it as well! It is so incredibly easy, isn’t it!
Carmelo says
Julie,
Hi,
I’m confused about the nutritional facts. 4 servings in one lb of pasta plus the sauce and only 109 cals? There must be a mistake. Nevertheless it sounds delicious.
Julie says
I’m sorry, it’s not factoring in the noodles. The nutrition has been a work in progress, thanks for altering me to it!
Anonymous says
Love a simple recipe,,,,I sometimes add leftover rotisserie chicken to mine….
Julie says
I need to do that more often – I love a rotisserie chicken. Thanks for sharing!
Lexy says
Hello,
I just discovered your blog and I’m in love already with tons more to check out.
I immediately wanted to sign up for email notices about posts from you but I can’t find
where to do this. Are you not doing the blogging world a huge disservice by not getting your blog out to those who don’t do social media but to read blogs? Please consider or let me know how to sign up…..I don’t want to miss a post. Thank You.
Julie says
My apologies. I have 3 places to sign up on my homepage and 2 on others. I’m always trying to balance being user friendly and not overwhelming readers. I appreciate you pointing it out. You can sign up here. It’s so nice to meet you, have a beautiful day!
Kelsey says
How many servings does this make??
Julie says
4 – enjoy!