SPRING LEMON BASIL PASTA
We’re gonna blink and it’s gonna be summer, so might as well take advantage and make this Spring Lemon Basil Pasta on rotation😍 Curly pasta, fresh asparagus and peas, gahhhlic, and a zingy lemony parmesan sauce that keeps things light and bright with every bite. Only 6 ingredients, and ready in 15 minutes or less, you’re gonna love this one!
Serves 3-4.
Ingredients:
For the Asparagus, Lemon Basil Pasta:
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10oz short grain pasta (Gigli, orecchiette, fusili)
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1 cup fresh or frozen peas
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8oz asparagus, ends removed and cut into 2” pieces
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Juice and zest from 1 lemon
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1 tbsp butter (or olive oil)
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1 tbsp olive oil + more for finishing
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese (please only use fresh and grate yourself with a microplane – it’s the best way to achieve a luscious sauce)
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8-10 basil leaves, sliced thinly
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Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
For the Spring Lemon Pasta:
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Bring a pot of salted water to a boil, then add your pasta. Cook 2-3 minutes less than the package directions for al dente pasta.
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While your pasta is cooking, heat your oil and butter in a nonstick skillet on medium heat and add in your garlic. Cook for 1-2 minutes or until soft (you don’t want any color on the garlic).
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Add in the asparagus and peas and toss, cooking for 2-3 minutes or until just tender but still bright green. Season with salt and pepper.
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Reserve ½ cup of the starchy pasta water and set aside. Drain the pasta and add it to the skillet with the veggies. Reduce the heat from the skillet to low.
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Add in the lemon zest, juice, and half the parmesan cheese.
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Stir constantly, slowly streaming in a few tbsps of the pasta water at a time to melt the cheese and create a sauce. Add in the rest of the parmesan cheese and a bit more pasta water and stir until desired consistency is reached. You will likely not use all the pasta water.
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Once you have reached the desired consistency and the pasta water has been absorbed, shut off the heat and stir in the fresh basil.
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Serve with a light drizzle of olive oil and more parmesan cheese and enjoy!