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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.
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.
Anonymous says
Made this for a quick and easy lunch, threw in broccoli and leftover chicken and it was delicious.
Julie Blanner says
Thank you!
Patricia says
Love all of your recipes, simple with great taste
Heidi says
This has turned into one of our favorite recipes! We add grilled shrimp for some protein. It’s such a light & fresh sauce & so easy to prepare.
Julie Blanner says
Thank you, Heidi! I’m so glad you love it, too!
Jessi says
This recipe is delicious and so easy. Sometimes I’ll add grilled chicken or steamed veggies. Yum! Thank you so much for this recipe!
Alicia Storms says
This looks AMAZING!!! I will definitely try this at home.
Thank you so much for sharing this drooling recipe.
Keep sharing:)
Julie Blanner says
Thanks, Alicia! Hope you enjoy it as much as we do!