Easy Lemon Pasta Recipe: Without Cream

You only need 15 minutes to make this light and refreshing Italian Lemon Pasta recipe.  A flavorful and simple pasta dish that makes a great main or side dish.

Jump to:

• Introduction
• Mise en place
• Instructions
• Tips
• FAQ
• Serving suggestions
• Easy pasta recipes
• Recipe inspiration
• Recipe

Introduction

Are you looking for a quick and easy pasta recipe?

If yes, this pasta with lemon is for you.

Not only is it delicious on its own, but it also pairs perfectly with lemon garlic shrimp, pan-seared scallops or chicken spiedini.  

The best part is that it can be made with just a few simple ingredients and is ready in under 15 minutes.

You might be wondering how you can make a lemon pasta sauce without heavy cream. 

There are two factors to this traditional Italian technique.

The first is a combination of the pasta water with the cheese. The addition of starchy water emulsifies the oils of the cheese. If you are using homemade pasta, there is a higher starch concentration in the water.

The second is the repetitive tossing of the pasta and shaking of the pan. Since the pasta continues to cook in the pan, tossing it creates friction that releases more starch. 

Let me show you how this sauce clings wonderfully to the pasta.

Mise en place

Since we are preparing a fettuccine dish, we need to bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil.

While we wait, chop or sliver garlic (1-2 cloves) and parsley (½ cup).

Since we are making lemon pasta, we need fresh lemons! Juice 2 lemons and the zest of one.

You also need to grate approximately ½ cup of cheese, plus a little more for serving. Feel free to use pecorino romano or parmesan cheese.

Instructions

By this time, the water should be boiling.  

Add the noodles, stir, and cook according to package directions until almost al dente. Feel free to use any long pasta shapes such as spaghetti, fettuccine, tagliatelle, bucatini, etc…

While it is cooking, heat a large skillet over low heat. Add 6 tablespoons of good olive oil.

Add the slivered garlic and a few pinches of red pepper flakes (if using).

Saute for a couple of minutes. Do not let the garlic brown.

When the pasta is almost al dente, drain and reserve about 1-2 cups of the pasta cooking liquid.

Transfer it to the pan.

Add about a ½-1 cup of pasta water and about 5 tablespoons of lemon juice.  

Add the chopped fresh parsley and the grated cheese.

Toss together while continuously shaking the pan. Continue to cook for 1-2  minutes until most of the liquid is absorbed. Note: If dry, add more pasta water and continue to toss until you reach your desired consistency. 

Taste and if necessary, add a little more fresh lemon juice.

According to your taste, don’t forget to season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Transfer your lemony pasta to a serving dish.

Garnish the cooked pasta with lemon zest, grated cheese and fresh basil. The addition of lemon slices completes this easy lemon pasta recipe.

Tips

• This recipe is great for any pasta that is long, rope-like in shape. Some examples include thin spaghetti, fettuccine, tagliatelle, and bucatini.
• Using high-quality pasta results in a superior dish.
• Add the pasta to the pan when it is almost al dente. It continues to cook in the pan with the lemon juice and the added water.
• Some lemon varieties have more levels of acidity than others. Add the lemon juice gradually, taste and adjust.
• Avoid using bottled lemon juice to make this creamy lemon pasta recipe. If you want the authentic Italian flavor, use only freshly squeezed lemons instead!
• Tossing (continuously) the cooking liquid and the lemon juice with the cheese in the skillet creates a creamy lemon sauce. 
• Avoid zesting the white pith of the lemon to prevent a bitter-tasting dish.
• The addition of fresh herbs adds another layer of freshness.

FAQ

Serving suggestions

This lemon garlic pasta is also great with almost any salad – you’ll be surprised at how well the flavors pair! Some healthy options include this simple Italian salad or this easy-to-make arugula salad. 

Easy pasta recipes

If you’re looking for some new and easy pasta dishes to add to your rotation, you’ve come to the right place! These Italian pasta recipes have something for everyone, and they’re all so simple to make. So get your kitchen tools ready, and let’s get cooking! Buon Appetito!

• Sauteed Broccoli and Cavatelli Recipe
• Spaghetti Pasta Recipe
• Pasta with Lentils Recipe
• Easy Tortellini Recipe
• Broccoli Rabe Orecchiette Recipe
• Penne all’ Arrabbiata

Are you looking for more? Be sure to visit the Pasta Category for more options.

Recipe inspiration

In what seems like a lifetime ago, my husband was co-owner of a small Italian restaurant. 

Unfortunately, it did not stay open for long. 

On a positive note, one of his partners, a professional chef from Italy, taught my husband how to make so many simple pasta dishes, including this linguine with lemon sauce recipe

This main dish has been enjoyed by the whole family for decades. I especially love it when I pair it with my mom’s veal recipe. 

Hope you like it as well!

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★★★★★ If you have made this lemon pasta dish aka pasta al limone, I would love to hear about it in the comments below and be sure to rate the recipe!

Recipe

This post was originally published on March 27, 2020, and republished on March 1, 2022, with updated content. Thanks for sharing!