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A close-up of a white bowl filled with creamy Pasta with Artichokes and Lemon, garnished with grated cheese and fresh parsley.
Maryam

Zesty Lemon Artichoke Pasta

A vibrant and light pasta dish featuring tender artichoke hearts, bright lemon, and fresh herbs, perfect for a quick weeknight meal or a refreshing summer dinner.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 550

Ingredients
  

  • 12 oz Spaghetti or Linguine
  • 3 tbsp Olive Oil
  • 4 cloves Garlic minced
  • 14 oz Canned Artichoke Hearts quartered, drained, roughly chopped
  • 1 large Lemon zested and juiced
  • 1/2 cup Vegetable Broth
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese grated, plus more for serving
  • 1/4 cup Fresh Parsley chopped
  • 1/4 cup Fresh Basil chopped
  • 1/2 tsp Red Pepper Flakes optional
  • to taste Salt
  • to taste Black Pepper

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • Large skillet
  • Microplane
  • Colander
  • Tongs

Method
 

Cook the Pasta
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the spaghetti or linguine and cook according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water. Drain the pasta and set aside.
Prepare the Artichoke Sauce
  1. While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet or sauté pan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using) and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
  2. Add the roughly chopped artichoke hearts to the skillet. Sauté for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the artichokes begin to lightly brown and soften.
  3. Stir in the lemon zest, lemon juice, and vegetable broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and let it cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the liquid to slightly reduce.
Combine and Finish
  1. Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the artichoke mixture. Toss well to combine. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, and fresh basil.
  2. If the sauce seems too dry, add a splash or two of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
  3. Serve immediately, garnished with additional grated Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs if desired.

Notes

This dish is best served immediately. For a richer flavor, you can add a splash of dry white wine along with the vegetable broth. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, though the pasta may absorb much of the sauce.