Just a few simple ingredients is all it takes to make this delicious pasta dinner. This Lemon Pasta With Crispy Basil is vegetarian, so simple to make and ready in 10 minutes! Yup, 10 minutes people!!! Come on!!! You just know this lemon pasta is sure to be a hit!
Did you get here because you read 10 minutes on pinterest and couldn't believe it??? I promise there isn't a typo!! Hand on heart this dish takes 10 minutes!!! And you don't even have to be that organised!!! This isn't a get everything chopped and in small bowls before you start the 10 minutes. This is a walk into the kitchen and start dinner 10 minutes. The only thing I would say is have the kettle boiled before you start as you know what they say about a watched kettle!!
But once the water is boiling you are 10 minutes away from a delicious, delicate and comforting lemon pasta supper.
I suppose the 10 minutes will depend on your pasta!!! I use linguine as it is my favourite and that cooks in just 8 minutes. But follow the instructions on your packet to ensure you aren't eating crunchy pasta (YUCK ) Just pick a nice easy pasta that cooks in 8-9 minutes and you will be right on track. I suppose you could pick a quick cook pasta but I always find they fall apart a little!! Fresh pasta would be great here and reduce the time to around 5 minutes!!!!
Anyway lets get on with the dish, or it will take you half an hour to read my post and by then you could have cooked a chicken!! (well only in a pressure cooker 😉 but still my point is valid! )
So 10 second run down. We start by frying the basil to make it good and crispy (and so pretty!!), then get the pasta cooking and whilst it is boiling we make the very simple and very delicious sauce. Drain the pasta, mix it all together and serve. Just 10 minutes and you are eating delicious lemon pasta!!!
There aren't many ingredients in this dish, so you want to make sure the ones you have are the best quality they can be. This means the extra virgin olive oil, the parmesan and the lemons all want to be the best you can afford. Don't get me wrong, I am not suggesting you spend 20 minutes driving to the best deli you can find (actually mine is 1 hour away!!!) and buy ingredients that will make your simple pasta dish cost more than a meal out!!!!! I do this all with supermarket ingredients, but I buy a good extra virgin olive oil, an aged parmesan and unwaxed lemons. The difference is worth it!!!!
The basil is the perfect topping for this dish, it takes seconds to make but looks beautiful and the flavour works so well with the lemon. You could use sage instead!
This lemon pasta dish is another dish that joins up with my #SundaySupper buddies. This week we are all sharing citrus recipes that will make you smile. I haven't seen any of the preview pics yet, but some of the titles are making me smile!!!!! Check out the list at the bottom of this post to see the amazing list of recipes on offer!! (p.s there are several cocktails on there that are making my mouth water!)
Enjoy x
📖 Recipe
10 Minute Lemon Pasta With Crispy Basil #SundaySupper
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- small handful fresh basil leaves
- 14 oz linguine
- 2 tablespoon butter
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ⅔ cup grated Parmesan
- 2 large unwaxed lemons (see notes)
- Salt
- black pepper
Instructions
- Boil your kettle.
- Place a frying pan over a medium high heat and pour in the olive oil. Once it gets hot add in the basil leaves and let them fry for about 10 seconds , flip them carefully and fry for a further 5-10 seconds and then remove them to a piece of kitchen roll. Remove the pan from the heat but don't drain away the oil.
- Put your pasta in to a large pan of salted boiling water and cook for 8 minutes (or as directed by your packet) SET A TIMER
Meanwhile make the sauce.
- Add the butter to the cooling frying pan, then pour in the extra virgin olive oil. Set aside.
- Zest 1 of the lemons (and set the zest to one side) and then cut them both in half and juice them.
- Whisk the juice and zest into the olive oil mixture and then mix in the grated parmesan.
- Season the sauce with salt and cracked black pepper.
- Drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup of the cooking liquid.
- Toss the pasta into the lemon sauce, and add the reserved cooking liquid to thin the sauce to your liking (I add about ¼ of a cup).
- Season generous with salt and pepper. Garnish with the crispy basil.
Eileen says
I love this simple, yet elegant, recipe. Your photos are stunning.
Claire McEwen says
Thank you Eileen 😀
Cindy's Recipes and Writings says
Thanks for a quick meal idea. Some nights I'm stuck and waste time staring vat the cupboards! lol
Claire McEwen says
LOL, I do that too 😀
[email protected] says
This pasta looks amazing! So simple and full of delicious flavors!
Claire McEwen says
Thank you Nikki 😀
Caroline says
Love how simple and tasty this is!
Claire McEwen says
Thank you Caroline 🙂
Dorothy Dunton says
Hi Claire. This also qualifies as late night comfort food. Simply elegant.
Claire McEwen says
This is why we are friends, pasta is just comfort food isn't it 😀 x
Wendy says
Pasta is always great to pull out when you want a quick meal. This sauce sounds wonderful and I love the addition of the crisped basil
Claire McEwen says
Pasta is my food of choice so often....I should have been Italian 😉
cheri says
Love this simple and delicious pasta dish, adding crispy basil is genius.
Claire McEwen says
Thank you Cheri, I love crispy herbs, they add a special something but take seconds to make 😀
Liz says
I LOVE the crispy basil! What a terrific pasta!!
Claire McEwen says
Thank you Liz, I love using the herbs as a star rather than just a garnish 😀
Jersey Girl Cooks says
How can you not like easy, quick and delicious?
Claire McEwen says
Hehe, exactly
Marion says
I'm all over this pasta recipe. I love everything about it, especially that it is so quick and easy to make!! Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful recipe with your gorgeous photos!
Claire McEwen says
Oh thank you Marion, Pasta is my total fav!!!
Christie says
This looks so light and delicious!! I can't wait to try it!
Claire McEwen says
I hope you enjoy it Christie 😀
Denise Wright says
This is right up my alley. I love lemon-pasta-bail combinations but I've never had crispy basil before and can't wait to try this. I certainly have a good 10 minutes to spare...great recipe!
Claire McEwen says
Crispy herbs are such a great way to perk up a recipe. If you enjoy the basil, try crispy sage and crispy rosemary 😀