Ingredients:
8 oz noodles (spaghetti, rice noodles, or any pasta of choice)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
2 tablespoons lime juice (freshly squeezed)
1 tablespoon lime zest
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Optional toppings: crumbled feta cheese, chili flakes, or extra cilantro
Instructions:
Cook the Noodles:
Cook the noodles according to the package instructions. Once done, drain and set aside. Be sure to save about 1/4 cup of the pasta cooking water to add flavor later.
Prepare the Cilantro Lime Sauce:
In a large pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant. Stir occasionally to prevent burning.
Combine the Ingredients:
Add the cooked noodles to the pan with the garlic and toss to coat. Add the lime juice, lime zest, ground cumin, and a bit of the reserved pasta water (if needed) to create a light sauce.
Season and Toss:
Stir in the chopped cilantro, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Toss everything together until well mixed.
Serve:
Serve the Cilantro Lime Noodles warm, garnished with additional cilantro, crumbled feta cheese, or chili flakes for extra flavor and spice.