I got this recipe from the Jamie Oliver 30 minute meals series. I followed the recipe to the letter but it wasn’t well received by my in-house taste tester. I think the words he used were that it was the vilest thing he ever tested. I obviously disagree but I would I would definitely make some changes to the recipe. The original recipe serves about four people, I have halved the recipe to cater for 2 people. Based on this logic you would use 1 lemon zested and juiced. I think I would only add a squeeze of lemon juice as it kind of took over the dish. You could add some fried bacon or pancetta to give it that boost. One consolation about this recipe is that it takes very little time and effort to cook.
Ingredients
PASTA
• 1 egg yolk
• 60g Parmesan cheese, plus extra
for serving
• Squeeze of lemon
• a small bunch of fresh basil
• 250g fresh lasagne sheets
SEASONINGS
• 1 1/2 tbsp olive oil
• extra virgin olive oil
• sea salt & black pepper
Method
1. Carefully separate the egg and put the yolk into a big serving bowl. Put the whites into a whisking bowl.
2. Add the extra virgin olive oil and a good pinch of salt & pepper to the bowl of egg yolk.
3. Grate the Parmesan in the processor and tip it into the bowl of egg yols with the lemon juice.
4. Reserve some of the small basil leaves, then split the rest of the bunch into 2 halves. Pound one half in a pestle & mortar until you have a green paste, and roughly chop the other half.
5. Add both to the bowl. Stir until everything is mixed together, then season with salt & pepper.
6. Stack the lasagne sheets on a chopping board and carefully slice them into fairly thin strips – do this in batches. Add to the pan of boiling water with a good pinch of salt. Stir, then put the lid on slightly askew and keep it at a hard boil for just 1½ minutes.
7. This pasta must be eaten ASAP to be enjoyed properly. It is best to use a tongs to move o move the pasta to the egg mixture. Fresh pasta is constantly sucking up water so make it slightly looser than it needs to be and it will be perfect at the table. Have a taste. Does it need more salt or Parmesan to balance the lemon juice? If so, adjust then sprinkle over the reserved basil leaves and grate over some extra Parmesan. Take to the table, quickly dress the salad and eat straight away.
Delishuss Blog 
What happens to the egg whites you place in a whisking bowl at the start of the recipe? They don’t seem to feature subsequently.
Hi Ciaran,
The egg whites are not used in the recipe. It’s a bit of a waste I know but you could use them up in an egg white omelette or to glaze or seal pastry in another recipe.
Cheers
Grainne
In jamie’s 30 minute meals he uses the egg whites for meringue on top of pear tarts.
Ah I haven’t tried the pear tarts, are they good?
Remember in Jamie’s show, he SAYS “juice and zest of two lemons” but he only used one – and I’m sure, given the time, not all of it. This pasta also really needs freshly grated parm…not the pre-grated stuff…thanks…
I agree, the parmesan would work wonders with it as well.
in the show he did say he only used 1 cuz it was big, and he did use fresh grated parm…Jamies recipes are amazing from that show…so what if they take a bit longer then 30min.
I concur, I love his recipes. I think he’s great as well although I kind of wish he would just get on with cooking instead of trying to change the world.I suppose the argument there is that somebody has to do it. I must whip out his cookery book and try some more of his recipes.
[…] with noodles, or maybe a risotto? I got some great lemons this week and have always wanted to cook Jamie Oliver’s Wonky Summer Pasta, but like most of his recipes, they don’t seem to be very well received… wish me […]
I do like Jamie but he’s mad for chilli and lemons in stuff and I sometimes look at the narly bits as he says and just think that’s burnt. I have been watching Gordon Ramsay’s Ultimate Cookery Course lately and his recipes look great. I will have to give them a try and post them. Happy cooking.
[…] with noodles, or maybe a risotto? I got some great lemons this week and have always wanted to cook Jamie Oliver’s Wonky Summer Pasta, but like most of his recipes, they don’t seem to be very well received… wish me […]
I agree about the lemon. I just made this last night and used two lemons. Yikes! It was overpowering. Also, the recipe calls for two egg yolks, but in the 30 min. cookbook, the picture clearly shows three egg yolks in the bowl. Hmmm.
It needs the salad from the book with it. The rocket and grapes set it off brilliantly. I love this dish but with out the salad it would be vile!
I haven’t tried the salad, I must check it out. Thanks for the tip.