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Lemon Basil White Bean Pasta is a light pasta dish mixing your favorite pasta, white beans, lemon juice, fresh basil and Parmesan cheese. This pasta dish uses minimal ingredients making it a very easy weeknight dish.
With citrus in season and delicious this time of year you need to try this light and delicious Lemon Basil White Bean Pasta. This pasta is perfect for a quick weeknight meal and makes great leftovers too. The cannellini beans add protein to this dish. You can sub them for other beans like kidney beans or chickpeas. This recipe mixes pasta, extra virgin olive oil, white beans, fresh basil, garlic, dried oregano, crushed red pepper {optional}, fresh lemon juice and lemon zest. You will love the light, citrusy flavor that the lemon brings into the dish mixed with the extra virgin olive oil and garlic. It is such an easy recipe and one your family is going to love.
You know my love for lemon and I use it in so many recipes. Some of my favorites are this Lemon Hummus, Lemon Lentil Soup Recipe, Lemon Whipped Feta, Lemon Marinade for Chicken, Lemon Pasta and this Greek Lemon Chicken.
Recipe Ingredients
You will love this easy recipe and the simple ingredients it uses for the marinade ingredients. It is one of my favorite recipes!
- Pasta
- Olive Oil
- Garlic
- Spices: Oregano, Crushed Red Pepper
- Fresh Basil
- Lemon
- White Beans
- Parmesan Cheese
Ways to Modify this Recipe
- Beans: I used white beans in this pasta dish but feel free to sub in chickpeas, kidney beans, black beans or pinto beans.
- Cheese: There are a variety of cheese options that would be nice in this dish if you want to use cheese. Try feta, goat cheese or mozzarella.
- Vegetables: If you want to add vegetables you can sauté them with the garlic. You could use bell pepper, carrot, celery, zucchini, broccoli, green beans or eggplant.
- Spices: Spices are a great way to take this pasta to the next level. Some that are nice in this dish are Italian seasoning, paprika, cayenne red pepper or za’atar.
- Herbs: Fresh herbs are always nice in this dish like fresh dill, parsley or mint.
How do you Make Lemon Basil Pasta
Step 1: Cook Pasta: Start by boiling the pasta according to the package. Once the pasta is done cooking save 1/2 cup of pasta water and drain the pasta and set aside.
Step 2: Sauté Garlic: In a large skillet heat 2 tbsp. olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and sauté for 2 minutes.
Step 3: Add Spices: Add the dried oregano, crushed red pepper and sauté for another minute.
Step 4: Add Remaining Ingredients: Add the pasta, white beans, remaining olive oil, lemon juice and lemon zest and mix well. Add the reserved pasta water in small amounts until you reach the desired consistency for the lemon sauce mixing continuously. Garnish the pasta with Parmesan cheese {optional}, fresh parsley and basil.
Storage Instructions
Store the leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. To reheat you can heat in a skillet or the microwave.
More Pasta Recipes
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Lemon Basil Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 pound medium sized pasta {try whole wheat}, lentil or chickpea pasta for a healthier option}
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, divided
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper {optional}
- 1 cup of fresh basil, finely shredded plus more for garnish
- 1 lemon, juiced and zested
- 1 – 15 ounce can Cannelini Beans {or try chickpeas or kidney beans}, drained and rinsed
Instructions
- Boil the pasta according to the package. Once the pasta is done cooking save 1/2 cup of pasta water and drain the pasta and set aside.
- In a large skillet heat 2 tbsp. olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and sauté for 2 minutes.
- Add the dried oregano, crushred red pepper and sauté for another minute.
- Add the pasta, white beans, remaining olive oil, lemon juice and lemon zest and mix well. Add the reserved pasta in small amounts until you reach the desired consistency for the lemon sauce mixing continuously.
- Garnish the pasta with Parmesan cheese {optional}, fresh parsley and basil.
Notes
- You can sub in chickpeas or kidney beans for the white beans.
- Try adding a green like arugula, spinach or kale. Add it at the end of and stir until the greens are wilted.
- You can sub the basil for dill or parsley if you need to.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
