Ingredients
Pasta
- 8 ounces spaghetti, or pasta of choice
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 pound Brussels sprouts, thinly sliced (or 1 bag shredded Brussels sprouts)
- 1 cup thinly sliced shallot, or red onion
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings & Other
- 4 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, plus more to taste
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon zest
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
- ⅓ cup grated parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Boil a large pot of salted water. Cook the spaghetti 1 minute less than the package instructions. Drain pasta, reserving 1 cup of the pasta cooking water for later use.
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the thinly sliced Brussels sprouts and shallots or red onion. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables start to brown around the edges, about 5 minutes.
- Add Seasonings and Cook: Reduce heat to medium. Add kosher salt, ground black pepper, minced garlic, and lemon zest to the skillet. Cook until the garlic becomes fragrant and the vegetables turn tender, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Create Sauce and Combine: Stir in the fresh lemon juice and ½ cup of the reserved pasta water. Add the cooked spaghetti and drizzle with the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Toss everything together and cook for another minute to allow the sauce to coat the pasta evenly.
- Finish with Parmesan: Turn off the heat. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese. If the pasta looks too dry, add a splash or two more of the reserved pasta water. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
- Serve: Serve the pasta on a platter or individual plates. Garnish with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, a few grinds of black pepper, and extra grated Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- This dish is best served immediately after preparation. For convenience, you can cook and sauté the Brussels sprouts mixture up to a day ahead and reheat gently before adding pasta.
- To keep it dairy-free, omit the Parmesan cheese and adjust seasoning accordingly with more salt and pepper.
- For extra flavor and texture, consider topping with toasted chopped walnuts or almonds, or sprinkle garlic breadcrumbs on top.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
