It is garlic scape season and that means we are finally enjoying some garlic scape parmesan pasta! With only a few ingredients, this garlic scape pasta is quick to whip up on a weeknight, but tastes like it took hours to make.
There is nothing I enjoy more than to start using more and more garden harvests in our dinners. This garlic scape parmesan pasta not only uses fresh garlic scapes from our garden, but herbs such as fresh thyme and parsley too! If only my little lemon tree was in season!
What Are Garlic Scapes?
Garlic scapes are the tender, green shoots that grow from the bulbs of garlic plants. They are harvested before the garlic bulb fully matures to encourage the plant to focus its energy on bulb growth. Garlic scapes have a mild garlic flavor with a hint of sweetness and can be used in various recipes like stir-fries, pestos, and salads. You will want to harvest them in late spring and early summer from the garden before the flowers form.
Equipment Needed
- Large pot
- Large cast iron skillet
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Colander
- Measuring spoons and cups
- Knife and cutting board
Ingredients
- Pasta: Any type, but I like to use spaghetti
- Garlic Scapes: About one bunch, fresh from the garden
- Butter AND Olive Oil: I like to use both
- Fresh Thyme Leaves: Dried works too!
- Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated for the best flavor
- Parsley: Fresh from the garden and chopped
- Lemon: For some zest and juice
- Salt and Black Pepper: To taste
Recipe Tips
Use Fresh Ingredients: I love using fresh garlic scapes, thyme, and parsley from the garden or the farmers market for the best flavor.
Use Fresh Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan will melt better and provide a richer flavor.
Experiment with Vegetables: You can add other vegetables like cherry tomatoes, spinach, or asparagus for extra flavor.
How to Make Garlic Scape Parmesan Pasta
Cook the Pasta: Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil. Add a generous amount of salt to the boiling water. Add the pasta and cook according to the package directions until al dente. Reserve 2-3 tablespoons of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta using a colander.
Prepare the Garlic Scapes: While the pasta is cooking, heat 1-2 tablespoons of vegan butter or olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped garlic scapes and 1-2 teaspoons of fresh thyme leaves to the skillet. Sauté for 5-8 minutes until the garlic scapes are tender and slightly browned.
Combine Ingredients: Once the pasta is drained, add it to the skillet with the garlic scapes. Pour in the reserved pasta water to help create a sauce. Add parmesan cheese, chopped fresh parsley, and the zest and juice of 1 lemon. Stir everything together until well combined and the cheese is melted.
Season and Serve: Taste the pasta and adjust the seasoning with salt and black pepper as needed. Serve the pasta hot, garnished with additional parsley and parmesan if desired.
Enjoy For Dessert
Garlic Scape Parmesan Pasta
Equipment
- large pot
- Large cast iron skillet
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Colander
- Measuring spoons and cups
- Knife and Cutting Board
Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta
- 1 bunch garlic scapes about 6-8 scapes, chopped
- 3 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1-2 tsp fresh thyme leaves
- ½ cup fresh parmesan cheese grated
- ¼ cup fresh parsley chopped
- zest and juice of 1 lemon
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil. Add a generous amount of salt to the boiling water. Add the pasta and cook according to the package directions until al dente. Reserve 2-3 tablespoons of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta using a colander.
- Prepare the Garlic Scapes: While the pasta is cooking, heat 1-2 tablespoons of vegan butter or olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped garlic scapes and 1-2 teaspoons of fresh thyme leaves to the skillet. Sauté for 5-8 minutes until the garlic scapes are tender and slightly browned.
- Combine Ingredients: Once the pasta is drained, add it to the skillet with the garlic scapes. Pour in the reserved pasta water to help create a sauce. Add parmesan cheese, chopped fresh parsley, and the zest and juice of 1 lemon. Stir everything together until well combined and the cheese is melted.
- Season and Serve: Taste the pasta and adjust the seasoning with salt and black pepper as needed. Serve the pasta hot, garnished with additional parsley and parmesan if desired.
Notes
- Use Fresh Ingredients: I love using fresh garlic scapes, thyme, and parsley from the garden or the farmers market for the best flavor.
- Use Fresh Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan will melt better and provide a richer flavor.
- Experiment with Vegetables: You can add other vegetables like cherry tomatoes, spinach, or asparagus for extra flavor.