Lemon Herb Pasta can be served as a side dish, as part of a multi-course meal, or as the main dish at a luncheon. Serve the pasta along with a salad, garlic bread and a glass of frosty lemonade, for a hearty lunch or a light supper.
Lemon Herb Pasta Toss is a nice change of pace from serving pasta with tomato sauce. The recipe, with its delicate lemon and herb enhanced sauce, lets the other ingredients stand out, as the pasta and zucchini are not covered in a heavy cream sauce.
Ingredients for the Lemon Herb Pasta Recipe
- 1 lb. dried spiral pasta
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 cup onion - diced
- 4 cups thinly sliced zucchini
- 1 tablespoon fresh oregano - chopped
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- Zest from one lemon
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley - chopped
- 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Directions for the Lemon Herb Pasta Recipe
- Cook the pasta according to package directions.
- Drain the pasta in a colander, and return to the pan.
- Mix in the butter, and cover the pan with a lid.
- Pour the olive oil into a large frying pan and turn the heat to medium.
- Add the onions and cook until translucent.
- Add the zucchini and cook for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring after every minute.
- Add the oregano, garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt and pepper.
- Stir the ingredients together and cook for 2-3 minutes longer.
- Remove the frying pan from the heat and stir in the parsley.
- Stir the zucchini, lemon, herb mixture into the pasta.
- Toss with the Parmesan cheese and serve immediately.
Recipe Tips and Suggestions
- Marjoram can be used in place of the oregano.
- Any type of pasta can be used to make the Lemon Herb Pasta Toss. Instead of using spiral noodles, try shells, elbows or penne pasta.
- Flat leaved or curly parsley can be used in this recipe.
- Jars of minced garlic can be found in the produce section of most grocery stores. Using prepared garlic will save the home cook a bit of time.
- Although the zucchini can be sliced with a knife, a mandoline slicer can be used to make uniformly thin slices in a short amount of time.
Additional Recipe Ideas
The article Classic Pesto Recipe, includes a recipe for a basil infused pasta topping. Quick Bread Recipes includes instructions for making a garlic herb bread, which would be perfect for serving along with the Lemon Herb Pasta Toss. The article, Traditional Italian Meal, contains three recipes including one for Pasta Fagioli.
Lynn Smythe - ABOUT THE WRITER Born and raised in Rochester, New York, freelance writer Lynn Smythe obtained her bachelor's degree in Geology from ...
