Imagine a mouthwatering pasta dish that comes together in just 20 minutes, bursting with bright lemony flavors and tender green beans. This Lemony Pasta with Green Beans is not just a meal—it's a culinary escape that brings the fresh, vibrant tastes of Italian cuisine right to your dinner table. Whether you're a busy professional, a home cook looking for a quick and delicious meal, or someone who craves restaurant-quality flavors without hours of preparation, this recipe is your perfect solution.
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 20 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 2 servings
Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta (spaghetti or linguine)
- 1 cup green beans, trimmed
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lemon, juiced and zested
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with water and add a generous pinch of salt. Bring the water to a rolling boil over high heat.
- While water is heating, trim the ends of the green beans and cut them into 2-inch pieces. Set aside.
- Add pasta to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions, typically 8-10 minutes for al dente texture. During the last 3 minutes of pasta cooking, add the green beans to the same pot to blanch them.
- While pasta is cooking, zest the entire lemon and then juice it into a small bowl. Set both zest and juice aside.
- Before draining the pasta and green beans, reserve 1/4 cup of the starchy cooking water, which will help create a silky sauce.
- Drain the pasta and green beans in a colander, then return them to the hot pot.
- Immediately drizzle olive oil over the pasta, then add lemon juice, lemon zest, and reserved cooking water. Toss gently to coat evenly.
- Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the pasta and continue tossing until cheese slightly melts and coats the pasta.
- Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Transfer to serving plates and garnish with fresh torn basil leaves.
- Serve immediately while hot, with additional Parmesan cheese on the side if desired.
Tips
- Salt is Key: Use generously salted water to ensure your pasta is flavorful from the inside out.
- Timing Matters: Add green beans during the last 3 minutes of pasta cooking to maintain their bright green color and crisp texture.
- Reserve Pasta Water: The starchy cooking water is liquid gold—it helps create a silky, clingy sauce that coats every strand of pasta.
- Fresh is Best: Use freshly zested lemon and grated Parmesan for maximum flavor impact.
- Serve Immediately: This dish is best enjoyed hot, right after cooking, to preserve the vibrant lemon flavor and perfect pasta texture.
- Optional Boost: For extra richness, consider adding a small pat of butter when tossing the pasta with olive oil and lemon.
- Customize Your Greens: No green beans? Try asparagus, spinach, or zucchini as delicious alternatives.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 380kcal
Carbohydrates: 52g
Protein: 12g
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 10mg
