'I was surprised by Jamie Oliver's simple pasta that only needs 6 ingredients'

Only requiring six ingredients, I didn't expect much from Jamie Oliver's simple lemon pasta recipe, but I was wrong.

By Chanelle Georgina, Senior Reporter

Ingredients

The ingredients are so simple (Image: Express)

Normally, I find Jamie Oliver's recipes finicky, fussy and too much effort to recreate at home, so I was intrigued when I came across his lemon linguine recipe.

Only requiring six ingredients, and described as "super easy" to make, I thought there was no harm in trying this simple 20-minute meal.

To be candid, I wasn't expecting much flavour as there isn't too much that goes into this (on the face of it, boring) recipe, but I was pleasantly surprised.

While I am happy to add this recipe into one of my go-to favourites, I love that I can add chicken to the dish to change it up now and again.

But, to be completely honest, I was shocked (and happy) that the pasta dish tasted so flavoursome and delicious on its own.

Lemon pasta

The lemon pasta surprised me (Image: Express)

Jamie Oliver's lemon linguine recipe

Serves: six people

Ingredients:

  • 500g linguine
  • Three lemons
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • 125g Parmesan cheese
  • One bunch of fresh basil
  • One handful of rocket

Method

Cook the linguine (or spaghetti, in my case) in a pan of boiling salted water according to the packet instructions, then drain and return to the pan.

Meanwhile, finely grate the zest from one lemon into a bowl, then squeeze in the juice from all three lemons (if cooking for two people, reduce the serving suggestions by a third; for example, use the juice of one lemon and two tablespoons of olive oil).

Fresh green herbs, basil, rosemary and coriander in pots placed on a window frame.

Fresh basil far exceeds the taste of basil found in a herb jar (Image: Getty)

Drizzle in six tablespoons of oil (if making enough for six people or batch cooking), and finely grate in the Parmesan, then beat together. Jamie Oliver said: "It’ll go thick and creamy."

Season to taste with sea salt and black pepper, and extra lemon juice, if needed. Pick and finely chop the basil leaves (fresh basil leaves are strongly recommended because it adds the most gorgeous flavour).

Add the lemony sauce to the linguine and shake the pan to coat each strand of pasta (the Parmesan will melt when mixed with the pasta). Finish by stirring through the chopped basil and rocket.

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