Lemon Garlic Asparagus Pasta Recipes

Steps:

• Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a boil. Stir in penne and return to a boil. Cook pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, for about 8 minutes. Penne will still be slightly firm.
• Stir asparagus into the pot with the boiling penne pasta and bring back to a boil; cook until pasta is tender and asparagus is softened but still bright green, about 3 more minutes. Drain pasta and asparagus.
• Place penne and asparagus into a large bowl; lightly stir in lemon zest, lemon juice, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, salt, and black pepper until thoroughly combined.

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 12 minutes. Drain, reserving some pasta water.
• While spaghetti is cooking, heat 1 tablespoon oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until browned, about 5 minutes. Flip, add a dollop of pesto to each breast, and continue to cook, flipping as needed, until no longer pink in the centers, 7 to 10 minutes more. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
• Heat remaining oil in a separate pan over medium heat. Add asparagus and cook for 1 to 3 minutes, depending how tender you like it. Add garlic, pepper flakes, and lemon juice; cook for 1 minute. Add cooked spaghetti, a dollop of pesto, and Parmesan cheese; stir until cheese melts. Add a tablespoon of the reserved pasta water if cheese begins to stick to the pan.
• Chop chicken and add on top of spaghetti. Season with salt and pepper.