Easy Lemon Butter Linguine

My relationship with pasta is complicated: I love it, it loves me back with carbs, and sometimes we both burn the garlic because I thought I could multitask while answering a text. This Easy Lemon Butter Linguine is the uncomplicated, zippy rescue mission—bright lemon, silky butter, parmesan that melts like it means it, and enough garlic to feel like an adult but not so much that neighbors call the fire department. It’s special because it tastes fancy without needing a 12-step mise en place, and it forgives you for using the pan that’s a little too small and the single wooden spoon you own.

My husband once tried to impress me by zesting a lemon with a microplane while holding our toddler. Long story short: zest went everywhere (floor, hair, the cat), my husband learned his lesson, the toddler learned about citrus, and the cat learned nothing and demanded more snacks. Also, I forgot to add pasta water and we ended up inventing a new dish—crunchy sauce—which tasted fine until we realized it was just butter and regret. Still, we ate it and called the evening “character-building.”

Time-Saving Hacks

– Use pre-juiced lemon in a pinch. Yes, the flavor is weaker, but so is my patience some nights.
– Grate cheese straight into a bowl while pasta cooks to avoid extra dishes—then spill half of it on the counter because of course you will.
– Skip the pasta pot lid choreography: bring water to a boil, salt it like the sea, drop pasta, stir once, and walk away for a tiny victory dance.
– Make the sauce in the pan you cooked garlic in—less washing, more flavor. Don’t pretend you’re not going to scrape fond with a splash of pasta water.
– If you’re truly desperate, toss everything with spaghetti and call it “one-pot.” Close enough.

Serving Ideas

– Pair with a crisp white wine and dramatically sigh into your glass if anyone asks how dinner was.
– Toss in roasted cherry tomatoes for color and the illusion of effort.
– Serve with a side salad if you want to feel virtuous; skip it if you want to feel joyful.
– Add a pan-seared chicken breast or shrimp if you’re feeding people who require protein theatrics.
– Serve with wine if the kids drove you nuts today. Also serve with wine if the kids were angels. Wine fixes everything.

What to Serve It With

– Garlic bread if you’re trying to be predictable and very happy about it.
– Steamed green beans with a squeeze of lemon to echo the pasta and pretend you’re balanced.
– A heap of arugula tossed in olive oil and lemon for people who will Instagram their dinner.

✔Tips & Mistakes

– Tip: Save some pasta water. It’s the secret glue that turns sad butter into saucy magic.
– Don’t overcook the pasta. Al dente is not just a suggestion; it’s a personality trait.
– If your garlic browns too fast, toss in the lemon right away to rescue the sauce—burnt garlic = tiny tragedy.
– Use fresh-grated parmesan. Pre-grated often contains anti-caking agents and a little sadness.
– Yes, the pan is too small. No, I won’t wash fewer dishes. Compromise is for relationships, not sauce.

✔Storage Tips

Store it in the fridge… if there’s any left. Cold midnight leftovers? Sometimes better than fresh. Reheat gently with a splash of water or a bit more butter so it doesn’t dry out. Don’t microwave like you’re nuking a science project—heat slowly and stir.

✔Variations and Substitutions

Swap whatever you want—sugar ↔ honey, soy sauce ↔ tamari, or skip steps and call it “deconstructed.” It still counts. For this pasta specifically:
– Add capers or olives for briny punch.
– Toss in roasted or pan-seared shrimp for an easy upgrade.
– Use vegan butter and nutritional yeast for dairy-free vibes.
– Throw in fresh herbs (basil, parsley, or whatever plant is still alive in your fridge).
– Make it heavier with cream if you’re in a mood or it’s winter and you need comfort.

Frequently Asked Questions

Easy Lemon Butter Linguine

A quick and delicious linguine dish with a zesty lemon butter sauce.

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Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Calories: 120kcal

Ingredients

 

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Main Ingredients

• ▢ 12 oz linguine pasta
• ▢ 1 cup unsalted butter
• ▢ 1 large lemon (zested and juiced)
• ▢ 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• ▢ 1 cup fresh parsley (chopped)
• ▢ 1 tsp salt
• ▢ 1 tsp black pepper

Instructions

Preparation Steps

• Cook the linguine in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente.
• Meanwhile, melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat.
• Add minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
• Stir in the lemon juice and zest, and season with salt and pepper.
• Drain the linguine and add it to the skillet, tossing to coat.
• Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.

Notes

This dish pairs well with grilled chicken or shrimp for added protein.