Lemon Garlic Pasta – One Pot Dinner

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Getting a simple, delicious vegetarian dinner on the table in less than 30 minutes IS possible with this flavor forward lemon garlic pasta! 11 fresh, Spring-inspired ingredients come together for the ultimate one pot pasta dish!

Why you’re going to love this lemon garlic pasta recipe:

• It all cooks in one pot! This means you’ve only got one pot to wash after dinner (or let’s be honest, one pot to throw in the dishwasher)!
• The flavors are phenomenal! The veg stock and half and half will combine with the Parmesan cheese and the starch from the noodles to make a super creamy, lemony garlic sauce.
  The addition of the lemon zest really helps to lighten up the dish and fresh asparagus keeps it veggie focused and satisfying.
• It takes just 30 minutes to make but looks like a gourmet pasta dish! If you need some date night inspiration or a new dish to make when your girlfriends come over this weekend – look no further – this lemon garlic pasta is it! Your friends are going to love this recipe and will no doubt be asking for the recipe!

How to make One Pot Garlic Pasta:

Saute onion stirring frequently for 3-4 minutes. Add garlic and cook for another minute.

Deglaze pan with white wine, making sure to scrape all the yummy bits off the bottom of the pan. 

Add veggie stock.

Then add half and half.

Add dried herbs.

Then add uncooked rigatoni along with a pinch of salt and pepper.

Stir to combine, turn up the heat and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 5 minutes.

Stir in lemon zest and Parmesan cheese until the cheese is melted.

Add asparagus and stir to combine.

Cover and simmer for another 10-12 minutes, stirring frequently, until the pasta is al dente and the sauce has thickened. 

Season to taste with salt and pepper. Garnish with parsley, burrata, lemon wedges, and red pepper flakes. 

Frequently asked questions:

• What are some good substitutes for rigatoni?
  • penne
  • cavatappi
  • campanelle
  • rotini
  • penne

• Do you cook the pasta before adding it to this dish?
  • Nope! The beauty of this one pot pasta dish is that everything cooks all together. No need to boil the noodles separately or dirty extra dishes.

Tips for making the best one pot pasta:

• Shred your own Parmesan! If you have time, always buy the wedge and shred it yourself! It will taste much better than the pre-shredded stuff, and it’s usually cheaper too.
• It’s all about the cooking liquid. The cooking liquid is very important in this recipe as you’ll be cooking the rigatoni in it. It’s important to use your judgment as far as adding more liquid towards the end of the cooking process. If it seems to be reducing too quickly and the pasta is not fully cooked yet, add another splash of half and half or veg stock so that the pasta can cook through.
• The sauce should be smooth and creamy. The best part of a one pot lemon garlic pasta is that you cook everything in one pot. Which will save you time and give you the creamiest pasta sauce ever. As mentioned above, you may need to adjust the liquid based on your personal preference. I like a real saucy pasta so that everything is fully coated in the creamy, dreamy sauce.

Other one pot wonders you’ll love:

• Sausage, Spinach & Sun Dried Tomato Rigatoni
• One Pot Mac and Cheese
• One Pot Fettuccine Alfredo
• Mediterranean One Pot Pasta
• Sun Dried Tomato & Smoked Gouda Cavatappi

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