Description
This Lemon Pepper Spaghetti is a light and flavorful pasta dish featuring a bright lemony sauce infused with freshly cracked black pepper and garlic, tossed with tender baby spinach and topped with salty Pecorino Romano cheese. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, this recipe delivers zesty and savory notes with minimal ingredients and fuss.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces spaghetti
Sauce and Vegetables
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cups packed baby spinach
- 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, or to taste
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- Zest and juice of 1 large lemon
Cheese
- ½ cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese, plus more for serving
Instructions
- Cook spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve ½ cup of pasta water and then drain the pasta.
- Sauté spinach and garlic: While the pasta is cooking, heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the packed baby spinach and minced garlic, cooking until the spinach has wilted and garlic is fragrant, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add seasonings and lemon: Stir in the red pepper flakes, kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Allow the flavors to come together for about a minute to release their aromas.
- Toss pasta with sauce: Add the cooked spaghetti directly to the skillet with the lemon pepper sauce and spinach. Toss everything well to combine. If the sauce seems dry, add ¼ cup of the reserved pasta water to loosen it. Remove the skillet from heat and stir in ½ cup of grated Pecorino Romano cheese until melted and incorporated.
- Serve: Plate the pasta immediately and offer additional Pecorino Romano cheese on the side for sprinkling as desired. Enjoy warm.
Notes
- Use fresh lemon zest and juice for the best bright citrus flavor.
- Adjust red pepper flakes according to your spice preference.
- Pasta water helps loosen the sauce and helps the flavors cling to the noodles.
- Substitute Pecorino Romano with Parmesan if needed.
- Serve immediately as the pasta is best enjoyed fresh.
