Easy Lemon Butter Linguine (Ready in 20 Minutes)
This Easy Lemon Butter Linguine is a bright, zesty, and buttery pasta dish that comes together in just 20 minutes. With simple ingredients like garlic, lemon, butter, and parmesan, it’s a quick meal that tastes luxurious.Perfect for busy weeknights or light spring dinners, this recipe is vegetarian, easy to adapt, and family-friendly.
Ingredients
- 8 oz linguine or spaghetti
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest from 1 large lemon
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice from 1–2 lemons
- ½ cup reserved pasta water
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- Salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or basil optional, for garnish
Instructions
Cook the pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook linguine according to package directions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining.
Make the lemon butter sauce
- In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30–60 seconds until fragrant, but not browned.
Add lemon
- Stir in lemon zest and lemon juice. Let it bubble for a minute, then add ¼ cup of reserved pasta water to help emulsify the sauce.
Toss the pasta
- Add the drained linguine directly into the skillet. Toss until the noodles are fully coated in the sauce.
Finish with cheese and herbs
- Turn off the heat and sprinkle in freshly grated parmesan, stirring gently until melted. Add more pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Top with chopped parsley or basil.