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One-Pot Pasta

International Lemon Herb Linguine

By PanPotPlates Test KitchenReviewed by PanPotPlates Editorial TeamPublished Apr 8, 2026 · Updated May 11, 2026
International 100 mins slowcookerfreezablelowcarbtimessaver

A bright and zesty one-pot slow cooker linguine bursting with fresh lemon and aromatic herbs. This low-carb, time-saving pasta dish is perfect for freezer-friendly meal prep and effortless weeknight dinners.

International Lemon Herb Linguine
Prep 10 min
Cook 90 min
Total 100 min
Servings 4
Difficulty easy
Cuisine International

Recipe Details

Prep10 min
Cook90 min
Total100 min
Servings4
Difficultyeasy
CuisineInternational
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Ingredients

Servings 4
  • 8 oz linguine pasta (low-carb version if desired)
  • 1 1/2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small onion, finely diced
  • 1 large lemon, zested and juiced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional, omit for vegan)
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
  • Red pepper flakes, to taste (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon butter or plant-based alternative (optional)

Instructions

  1. Lightly grease the slow cooker pot or liner with olive oil to prevent sticking.
  2. Place the linguine pasta inside the slow cooker, breaking it gently in half if needed to fit.
  3. Add the minced garlic and finely diced onion on top of the pasta.
  4. Pour in the vegetable broth and water, ensuring the pasta is mostly submerged. Do not stir yet.
  5. Add the lemon zest, lemon juice, dried oregano, thyme, basil, salt, and black pepper evenly over the mixture.
  6. Drizzle the olive oil over the ingredients.
  7. Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 1 hour and 15 minutes, checking after 1 hour. Gently stir the pasta to ensure even cooking and prevent clumping.
  8. Continue cooking for an additional 15-30 minutes or until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
  9. Turn off the slow cooker, then stir in the Parmesan cheese (if using), fresh parsley, fresh basil, and butter (or plant-based alternative) until well combined and creamy.
  10. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes if desired.
  11. Serve warm as a delightful, bright, herbaceous meal. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container and freeze well for up to 3 months.

Frequently Asked Questions

Reader questions and answers for this recipe will appear here.

For this International Lemon Herb Linguine, there are several easy ingredient swaps to accommodate dietary preferences or pantry availability while keeping the dish delicious and on-theme with its one-pot, slow cooker style.

  • Linguine Pasta: Use gluten-free linguine or spiralized zucchini noodles for a gluten-free or lower-carb option. Shirataki noodles also work well for a low-carb twist.
  • Vegetable Broth: Swap with low-sodium chicken broth for a non-vegetarian version or mushroom broth to enhance umami flavors in vegan dishes.
  • Parmesan Cheese: For vegan or dairy-free diets, omit Parmesan or substitute with nutritional yeast to maintain a cheesy flavor without dairy.
  • Butter: Replace with a plant-based butter alternative or skip entirely to keep the dish dairy-free and vegan.
  • Herbs and Seasonings: Fresh herbs can replace dried if available; just adjust quantities—use roughly three times more fresh herbs than dried.
  • Olive Oil: Any neutral oil like avocado oil or grapeseed oil can be used if preferred.

These simple substitutions keep this slow cooker, freezable, low-carb, and time-saving recipe flexible and accessible for a variety of diets and preferences, perfect for easy meal prep and flavorful weeknight dinners.

Pan Or Pot Required

For the International Lemon Herb Linguine, a slow cooker pot is essential to achieve this easy, flavorful one-pot pasta dish. Utilizing the slow cooker pot allows for gentle, even cooking of the linguine combined with aromatic herbs and zesty lemon over an extended period without constant stirring. This cookware choice supports the slow cooker category, making it ideal for a hands-off, time-saving meal prep that is low-carb and freezer-friendly.

The slow cooker pot's heat retention and capacity ensure the pasta cooks evenly while absorbing the bright flavors, perfect for busy weeknights or meal prepping in batch. Lightly greasing the pot before adding ingredients helps prevent sticking, optimizing cleanup and preserving the delicate texture of the linguine. If your slow cooker uses a removable ceramic insert or liner, this is the preferred vessel for the recipe.

Alternative cookware such as stovetop pots or pans would not replicate the same gentle cooking process with minimal attention. Therefore, to stay aligned with the recipe's one-pot, slow cooker approach and to maximize convenience, the slow cooker pot is the recommended and required cookware for this dish.

Cookware Size Guidance

For this One-Pot Pasta recipe designed for the slow cooker, choose a slow cooker pot with a capacity of at least 4 to 6 quarts. This size comfortably accommodates the 8 ounces of linguine along with liquids and other ingredients, allowing enough space for the pasta to cook evenly without overflowing.

Using a slow cooker that is too small may cause the ingredients to stick or cook unevenly, while an excessively large pot can lead to drying out or uneven heat distribution. A 4 to 6 quart slow cooker is ideal for serving approximately 4 people and perfect for meal prep, leftovers, and freezing.

If you’re adapting this recipe for a stove-top or instant pot method, a medium to large-size deep skillet or an Instant Pot with a 6-quart insert will work well to ensure sufficient space for stirring and expansion of pasta.

Cookware Swap Guidance

This International Lemon Herb Linguine is crafted as a low and slow cooker favorite in the slow cooker one-pot category, ideal for time-saving, freezer-friendly, and low-carb meals. If you don’t have a slow cooker, consider these suitable cookware swaps to maintain the recipe’s easy, flavorful profile:

  • Instant Pot or Electric Pressure Cooker: A perfect alternative that accelerates cooking time drastically while keeping a one-pot convenience. Use the sauté mode to briefly soften aromatics, then pressure cook the linguine with broth and seasonings for about 6-8 minutes, doing a quick release to avoid overcooking. This swap aligns with both instantpot and onepot tags.
  • Heavy-Duty Stove-Top Pot or Dutch Oven: A well-seasoned cast iron or enameled Dutch oven can mimic the slow cooker's gentle heat. Combine all ingredients, cover tightly with a lid, and simmer on low heat, stirring occasionally, until the pasta absorbs liquid and flavors meld. This method is ideal for those who enjoy one-pot pasta meals and want a more hands-on, weeknight cooking approach.
  • Oven-Safe Casserole Dish with Aluminum Foil or Lid: Layer the ingredients in a deep baking dish covered with foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) for roughly 45 minutes, checking and stirring midway. This option fits within the casseroles and onepot dinner styles and works well for meal prepping.

While a skillet meal or sheet pan dinner could work for quick pasta sauté recipes, this flavorful slow-cooked linguine benefits most from cookware that allows gentle, even heat distribution and liquid retention to prevent drying out. These swaps maintain the dish's easy, family-friendly, and timessaver qualities, perfect for weeknight dinners and freezable leftovers.

Leftovers Quality

This International Lemon Herb Linguine keeps exceptionally well, making it an ideal choice for meal prep and batch cooking in your slow cooker. Once cooked, allow leftovers to cool to room temperature, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days to maintain maximum freshness and flavor.

For longer storage, this one-pot pasta recipe is fully freezable. Portion leftovers into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags and freeze for up to 3 months, preserving the bright lemon-herb notes and tender linguine. To reheat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Alternatively, microwave reheating on medium power with a splash of water or broth helps restore moisture without drying out the pasta.

When reheating, avoid high heat to preserve the delicate lemon and herb flavors and keep the texture light and tasty. Stir in a drizzle of olive oil or a small pat of butter (or plant-based alternative) after warming to revive the creamy finish. Following these tips, your leftovers will remain flavorful, hearty, and perfect for quick, family-friendly lunches or weeknight dinners.

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