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Quick Lemon Garlic Butter Pasta Recipe with Cherry Tomatoes and Basil for Easy Homemade Dinner

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A quick and easy pasta dish featuring lemon juice, garlic-infused butter, fresh cherry tomatoes, and basil tossed with spaghetti or linguine for a bright, buttery, and fresh flavor perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces (225 grams) spaghetti or linguine
  • 4 tablespoons (56 grams) unsalted butter
  • 3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
  • Juice of 1 large lemon (about 3 tablespoons / 45 ml)
  • 1 cup (150 grams) cherry tomatoes, halved
  • ¼ cup (about 10 grams) fresh basil leaves, torn
  • Salt, for pasta water and seasoning
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Red pepper flakes, optional, a pinch
  • Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, optional, for serving

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil using about 1 tablespoon of salt per 4 quarts (4 liters) of water. Add 8 ounces (225 grams) of spaghetti or linguine and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually 8-10 minutes. Set a timer to avoid overcooking.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat 4 tablespoons (56 grams) of unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic (3 cloves) and sauté gently for about 1-2 minutes until fragrant and just starting to turn golden. Be careful not to burn it.
  3. Add the halved cherry tomatoes (1 cup/150 grams) to the skillet. Stir and cook for 2-3 minutes until they soften slightly and release some juice.
  4. Add the lemon juice (about 3 tablespoons/45 ml) to the skillet. Stir to combine, letting the sauce bubble for another minute. Taste and season with salt, freshly ground black pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes if using.
  5. Reserve about ½ cup (120 ml) of the pasta cooking water before draining. Drain the pasta in a colander or strainer, then transfer the hot pasta directly into the skillet with the sauce.
  6. Toss the pasta in the lemon garlic butter sauce. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if the sauce feels too thick to help it cling to the pasta.
  7. Remove from heat and stir in the torn fresh basil leaves (¼ cup/10 grams).
  8. Serve immediately, finishing with freshly grated Parmesan cheese if desired, and an extra crack of black pepper.

Notes

Cook garlic on medium-low heat to avoid burning; add reserved pasta water to cool pan if needed. Use fresh lemon juice and fresh basil for best flavor. Save some pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta; for dairy-free, use vegan butter and skip Parmesan or use nutritional yeast.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon garlic butter pasta, cherry tomatoes pasta, quick pasta recipe, easy dinner, basil pasta, weeknight dinner, simple pasta sauce

Find it online: https://ariaappetite.com/quick-lemon-garlic-butter-pasta-recipe-with-cherry-tomatoes-and-basil-for-easy-homemade-dinner/