Lemon Spaghetti with Garlic Butter Asparagus

Al dente spaghetti with loads of lemon and tossed with tender garlic butter asparagus and topped with loads of black pepper and freshly grated parmesan.

I made a quick and easy lemon spaghetti with garlic butter asparagus recipe for lunch. The whole recipe was made and ready to eat within 30 minutes and my husband and I thought it was delicious and paired nicely with an easy Italian salad.

Lemon Spaghetti with Garlic Butter Asparagus

Ingredients:

• 8 oz spaghetti noodles, cooked in salted water, per package instructions, to al dente
• 4 tbsp butter, divided
• ¼ yellow onion, diced
• 10 spears of asparagus, woody ends removed, cut into thirds
• Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes, to taste
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• Zest and Juice from 1 large lemon
• Sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste
• Fresh parmesan, for serving
• Additional lemon wedges, for serving

How to Make Lemon Spaghetti with Garlic Butter Asparagus

Cook the spaghetti in salted boiling water, per package instructions, until cooked to al dente. Reserve 1/3 cup cooking water then drain the remainder.

While the pasta is cooking, melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring often, for 3-4 minutes, or until tender. Add the asparagus and crushed red pepper flakes, and cook, stirring often, for 3 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Add the lemon juice and remaining butter then remove from the heat then toss to combine.

Add the cooked & drained pasta then season well with sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste. Toss until evenly coated, adding reserved pasta water as needed. Taste the pasta and add additional lemon juice if needed or desired.

Pour into a serving bowl and top with lemon zest and lots of freshly cracked black pepper. Serve immediately with freshly grated Parmesan on the side. Enjoy.