Sunday is special.
Sunday is my day for farmer’s market strolls, off-key church singing, and giant bowls of pasta.
Sunday is not my day for standing in long grocery store lines, trying terribly to sing on-key, and dainty salads.
I don’t take out my measuring cups. I leave a few dirty dishes in the sink. I try not to work too hard… excepts I end up working a bit anyway.
At least there’s pasta.
Easy Sunday Lemon Pasta
Cook pasta in boiling salted water. When the pasta is almost cooked through, add a good handful of frozen peas to the boiling water. When pasta is al dente, drain. Return hot pasta and peas to the pan. Douse liberally with olive oil and fresh lemon juice. Add lemon zest if you’d like. Sprinkle generously with red pepper flakes, salt, fresh chopped parsley and parmesan cheese.
For some added kick, saute some minced garlic and diced onions in olive oil and add to the hot pasta. Add chicken. Add grilled steak. Add roasted cherry tomatoes. Throw in a splash of cream. Basil! Oregano! More cheese! Live well. It’s Sunday.
Heidi - Apples Under My Bed
You’re so right. Sunday is all those things. And this pasta. Happy Sunday :)
Heidi xo
Christina
I made this for my friend and I the other day and it was so, so good! I added grilled chicken. She and I both really liked it and the leftovers warmed up well, too! Thanks, Joy! :)
Cindy
Just made this and loved it! I added chicken and it was a great easy dinner to make. Loved it.
Larkin
I make something similar to this a lot, especially when I don’t have much time or inspiration, and those lemons are just looking at me saying “use meeeee!” Anyway. Just a suggestion, before you drain your pasta, you could cut a lemon in half and mush it all over the strainer, and then toss the noodles around a bit when the water’s gone through – I’ve started using this instead of or with olive oil to keep the noodles separated, and I think it adds a nice kick.
Amy
Mmmm…this sounds delicious! I like the idea of adding roasted tomatoes and a little cream. And maybe some chicken!
andi
Hi Joy! you’re the first blogger I’ve ever followed! and really – the only. You’re so awesome. Seriously, you seem like a fun gal and I think we’d be friends if we knew each other! Anyway – I’m going to have a pool party this weekend and this salad seems like something that my friends would love – but how would it taste cold? Do you think it’s better enjoyed as a hot dish? thanks joy! you’re the bomb!
Lisa
So yummy – both in the picture and on my plate. Thanks Joy!
Kim M
HMMM, can easy Sunday lemony pasta be made and eaten on Monday night? :)
Sarah-Anne
sounds GOOD!
Bonnie
Yum, I think I’ll make this for dinner tonight!
Rachel Stone
Yummy! I love a lemony pasta for an easy dinner, and this one is even easier than the one I usually do.
Carissa
This is just my kind of pasta dish. If it’s easy, involves a veggie, some EVOO, and seasonings, it will be good. Pasta is like that.
Helen
Mmmm pasta & wine (not just for Sundays)
Seanna Lea
This sounds awesome, but I love lemon in all its forms.
Unfortunately, I’m completely out of lemon. Used it all on Sunday making your rolls and lemon curd (I said I would fill them with lemon curd and it worked awesomely).
Janet
Oh that was what inspired our dinner last night. We had a pound of squid ink pasta, some pretty little fresh chanterelles, shallots, parmesan, a grating of lemon rind. It was superb. Thanks for the Sunday supper plan!
caroline
my sundays mirror yours.
and I love lemon pasta. never made a pasta dish with the type of pasta you used (what is it called again?) but I’ve always been intrigued by that pasta. need to buy some and make some soon!
Notyet100
Even I had pasta for dinner yesterday ,ur looks delicious,my kid luved pasta with tea
Kristina
This dish sound fantastic! And super easy! I found your blog yesterday through Pinterest, a pin on cinnamon pull apart bread ( which I am off to make in a bit).
Amazing photos and recipes, I think I will be spending a lot of time here! Have a great day!
Charis
What a fresh and easy recipe!
Must try it :)
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar
I love this easy dish. In Switzerland we don’t have farmers markets on Sundays – only Saturdays! Everything is closed…like, everything. It’s a seriously lazy day!
Becca
LOL this is similar to what my family of Italians call “pasta piselli.” My family all used to fight over who had to eat it because no one liked it! It was considered “farmer’s food” or a “poor man’s plate” because it was a common dish eaten by farmhands and workers like my family back in the day.
hahaha and now it’s gourmet! Would you look at that!
Honestly though when my Nonna made this dish it was incredible and I loved it. I don’t know why they didn’t like it, I guess they were all sick of it because it was made so often!
Thanks for the bringing back such a fond memory! I’ll have to try it with the lemon twist!
Kelsey
Perfect! There’s enough to worry about on Sunday – like Monday! – without thinking about a complicated dinner. You are so smart to put the peas in with the pasta, never would have thought of that.
Butta Bean's Ya Ya
Oh my, you have just taken me back 30 years to my dear friend’s father’s Italian kitchen.”Spaghetti and peas” was his Friday evening “go to” meal to prepare for us prior to a full night of bar hopping……simple perfection!
Kelsey @aslolife
love Sundays and love pasta–just trying not to think about tomorrow!
Cupcake Kat
Sounds like a super simple and yummy dinner!
Maia
That looks perfectly simple and satisfying. Always looking for quick and easy ways to make pasta. This is no more difficult than plain old butter or (gasp) sauce from a jar. Thanks for sharing!
Michelle
love me some sundays.
Mary Beth
What a perfect Sunday meal. It’s always a good one when you don’t have to break out the measuring cups!
Meredith
I just made this. it was the perfect end to my sunday filled with singing, reading, and laughter. thanks for the inspiration! It has basically been a Joy the Baker tribute weekend. I made your Buttermilk Chocolate Chip pancakes for my roommates while we weathered hurricane Irene. thanks for helping make our weekend a success!
Channeling Contessa
Mmmm I love this! So simplistic but such perfection.
Cecelia
Oh my gosh I make this all the time when I don’t have much to cook or don’t feel like it. I add some minced garlic and sometimes throw in shrimp. Love it =]
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga
I almost NEVER take out measuring cups, Sunday or any other day. I am pretty much an eyeball and wing-it cook. Which is why I will never be going to French pastry school or anything :)
Sasha @ The Procrastobaker
About to go back to uni, dishes like this….BRILLIANT! I mean even I can manage this in a hungover essay-stressed state :) Lovely recipe and as always your photos blow me away
Manderley
Hummm I like this recipe… so good.
Frances @ The Foodess FIles
This is too funny! Don’t make fun of me, but frozen peas are my favorite vegetable. Totally weird I get it. Frozen peas, some kind of nut butter, and coffee are the only three things I have absolutely every day. This looks delish Joy. :)
Amy
It just so happens that I have a ton of uncooked pasta, half a cup of fresh-squeezed lemon juice from yesterday’s lemonade adventures, and nowhere to go due to Hurricane Irene. I smell dinner <3
Kathryn
I love how simple and easy this is especially for a sunday when the idea of doing anything too complicated is a bad one!
rosita vargas
Looks absolutely perfect, I love pasta as always love your recipes, hugs.
The Hungry Traveler
Which farmer’s market do you usually go to? If you haven’t been to the Hollywood market on Selma between Ivar and Vine, you should definitely check it out some Sunday morning. You wouldn’t think it for being a couple blocks from the walk of fame, but it’s a great market. It’s my local and I try never to miss it, it really makes my Sunday and I look forward to it all weekend!
The Newlywed Chefs
This looks like simple, fresh recipe that we’ll have to try soon! Thanks!
Nicole
Looks easy and delicious. I’m down.
Casey
Unfortunately, Sunday is my day for working… but… BUT… Monday is my Sunday, so yay!
I was going to make something chicken picatta-ish tomorrow… I think this will be just lovely. :)
Gen
Hum I love Sundays like that!
BLP
DELICOUSHHH… :D And @Bev, hahahaha!
Bev Weidner
I could stick my entire head in that bowl and be giddy with life.
Kerry
Looks delicious! Off-key singers of the world UNITE!
Russell at Chasing Delicious
Three of my favorite words-easy, lemon and pasta–together must mean something delicious. This recipe looks scrumptious. And I love your blog. It’s super cute! I’m glad I came across it.
Shana M.
Looks yummy. I am glad to know someone else will admit to off key church singing.(I know I do.) Will add this recipe to my to cook list.
Nisrine
Beautiful, simple and delicious. I wish I had for my Sunday supper.
Brenda @ The Funky Junkie
So happy to have stumbled across this recipe! It’s always exciting when I find something to make that involves things that are already in my kitchen! Can’t wait to try. :D
Sue/the view from great island
Hands down my favorite pasta is simple like this with lemon as the main flavor. I make a lemon cream sauce in the colder months. I hadn’t thought of using chili flakes, and I think that’s brilliant.
Emily @ Wardrobe Block
Perfect. My sunday dinner is cannelloni a la Jamie Oliver. Yums.
leslie
looks delicious! happy sunday!
Lindsay
Lovely pasta choice.
lidia@ sugarslut
I love peas, they are so yummyyy
lynn @ the actor's diet
great recipe! one of the first things i ever cooked for friends was nigella’s lemon pasta. her’s had cream and got clumpy.
Becca
Funny thing — the first thing I ever served to guests was lemon pasta too. Except I used the Pioneer Woman’s recipe. But I greatly like this idea of adding roasted cherry tomatoes. And maybe some blanched spinach. And roasted asparagus chunks. To quote Joey Tribbiani … “That’s like summer in a bowl.”
christine [the sugar apothecary]
Mmmm. That looks marvelous. I L-O-V-E peas but I always forget about adding them to things like pasta! Perhaps there is some lovely lemon pasta in my Sunday future… Fingers crossed. Sunday is certainly not a day for salads, especially in the midst of a hurricane.
xo
la domestique
Happy Sunday!
tj
…Should read: “Throw in a splash of cream. Basil! Oregano! More cheese! “Pour wine!” Live well. It’s Sunday.” ;o)
…I love this! It does seem the more you spoke of adding a lil’ bit of ‘dis or a lil’ bit of ‘dat it started sounding more to my liking instead of the simple lemon & pasta. I know, I know, some days I can be so complex, why I ask? *sigh*eyeroll*
…Thank you for the recipe Joy! Have an awesome Sunday!
…Blessings :o)
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen
Lemon and lemon zest are so delicious in pasta. Love the simplicity of this dish!
Jessica Ann
This looks awesome! I am making pasta tonight, the kind where you start adding stuff and then keep adding and adding. I used to call it fiesta macaroni until I decided that party pasta was catchier.
Lucia
Sunday is my day for staring at the sky changing colour.
Sunday is my day for reading.
Sunday is my day for eating three helpings of homemade pistachio pudding.
Sunday is special. Today is Sunday. Today is special.
P.S. Try goat cheese too: with this pasta is GREAT!
(and if you want to discover why italians love pasta, have a look here: http://www.sugarandink.net/2011/06/why-italians-love-pasta.html)
Beth
Joy, you make simple sound so elegant. I love me some pasta and like using this general strategy of mixing in what I have on hand or found at the farmers market with some good cheese. Thanks for sharing!
Pam
I think every day should be big bowl of pasta day! This idea of lemon pasta is wonderful. I like the idea of roasted cherry tomatoes and basil as you suggest with a little chicken perhaps to make a great dinner. Thanks.
Monica
Pasta = comfort food…this sounds perfect for a Sunday dinner!
Katherine Marie
hot dang i love pasta.
Julie H. of Spinach and Sprinkles
I love your Sundays…. I just got back from a little off key church singing :) the best.
I am LOVING how that picture is almost like a recipe card! Awesome.
Lauren at Keep It Sweet
I love easy meals that sound gourmet like that! Have a great day.