When it comes to preparing a delicious supper, the dishes that are the simplest to make are always the ones that come out on top. We’re talking about dishes that can be prepared in less than twenty minutes, pack a tonne of flavour, and are a hit with everyone.
One of those things for me is this lemon pepper pasta that you make. It’s fast and simple, but the end result is so amazingly tasty!
The lemon and pepper are responsible for creating the ideal balance of flavours, and the parmesan and parsley are what put the final touches on the dish.
A Few Pointers
I usually add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes to give the dish some heat, but you may leave them out or add more of them depending on how spicy you like your food.
It doesn’t matter if you serve this meal in one of your most elegant pasta bowls or directly from the pan; either way, you can’t go wrong with the flavour.
Because there aren’t a tonne of ingredients, the olive oil really stands out, so you want to make sure you choose one that has a fantastic flavour. I do suggest using olive oil of a high grade for this dish.
Because of its nutty and buttery taste, Arbequina olive oil is my personal preference, but you may use any olive oil that strikes your fancy.
Another one of my pieces of advice is to either get a lemon that is organically grown or to wash it well with apple cider vinegar. Citrus is a crop that is regularly treated with pesticides, and we don’t want all of those chemicals to mess with our cuisine!
You will need a pot large enough to boil the pasta in as well as a skillet of a size in the middle between small and large for this dish.
What does “Al Dente” mean?
The Italian expression “al dente” refers to pasta or rice that has been cooked until it still has some resistance to biting into it; in other words, it is just slightly undercooked.
If you cook the pasta for one to two minutes shorter than the suggested amount of time, it should turn out perfectly.
Why is it necessary for me to add salt to the water?
The only way to adequately season your pasta is to salt the water in which it is cooked. During the time that it is boiling, the salt is absorbed by the pasta, which results in the ideal additional taste!
Should I Use Linguini Pasta Noodles For This Recipe, Or Can I Use Something Else?
Linguini is the kind of pasta that I believe would go best with this meal; however, spaghetti or angel hair might also be used. It is all up to you and what you would desire.
Is it possible for me to use gluten-free pasta instead?
In the event that you have an intolerance to gluten, you should absolutely switch out the linguini noodles with gluten-free pasta. You can’t go wrong these days since there are so many delicious gluten-free pasta available on the market.
What Kind of Side Dishes Go Well With This Main Course?
When I make pasta meals, I usually serve them with some crusty bread and a glass of red wine, but if you want a more balanced dinner, you can also add some protein to the dish. The addition of some pork sausage or chicken piccata would make this dish taste even better.
Pasta with Lemon and Pepper
Yield: 4 servings
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 packet linguine pasta
- 3 tablespoons of olive oil
- 2 whole cloves of garlic
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 milligramme of black pepper, ground
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes
- Lemon juice together with the zest of one lemon
- shaved parmesan cheese equivalent to a quarter cup
- 4 parsley sprigs, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in accordance with the directions on the box, taking care to keep it al dente. To enhance the taste of the pasta, add two teaspoons of salt to the saucepan and stir it together.
- In the time it takes for the pasta to cook, you may mince the garlic and then zest and juice the lemon.
- Place the olive oil, garlic, red pepper flakes, half of the lemon zest, along with the salt and pepper in a pan that is small to medium in size. Stir to combine.
- Cook the garlic over a heat source of medium until it releases its aroma, which should take around three to five minutes. Garlic loses its taste when it is burned, so take care not to let it get too dark in the pan.
- After taking the pan from the heat, add the lemon juice to the dish.
- When the pasta is finished cooking and has been drained, add it to the pan and mix it with a pair of tongs.
- Place the pasta on a serving dish, and then top it with the remaining lemon zest, the parmesan cheese, and the parsley. Enjoy this dish with a glass of wine and some crusty bread if you prefer, and serve it to your guests.