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–+ servings
A vibrant bowl of spaghetti with kale and lemon zest, showcasing a perfect easy dinner recipe.

Simple Spaghetti with Garlic, Kale, and Lemon

This recipe offers a quick and flavorful pasta dish perfect for busy weeknights. It combines spaghetti with garlic, kale, and a bright lemon sauce, ready in under 30 minutes.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Pasta Cooking 5 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 12 ounces spaghetti
  • 1 cup pasta water reserved
For the Sauce
  • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic thinly sliced
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes or to taste
  • 1 large bunch lacinato kale stemmed and chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1/3 cup fresh parsley chopped
  • 1 Parmesan or Vegan Parmesan for serving
  • to taste Freshly ground black pepper

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Large skillet
  • Tongs

Method
 

  1. Boil a large pot of salted water. Cook spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute until garlic is lightly browned.
  3. Add kale, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Cook, tossing, until kale is wilted, about 1 minute.
  4. Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet. Toss to combine. Add ½ cup pasta water, lemon juice, and zest. Toss well.
  5. If the pasta seems dry, add the remaining ½ cup pasta water to create a light sauce. Season to taste.
  6. Garnish with parsley and serve with Parmesan or vegan Parmesan.

Notes

This recipe is designed for simplicity and speed. Feel free to adjust the red pepper flakes to your spice preference. The reserved pasta water is key to creating a smooth, light sauce.

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