Creamy Lemon Pasta Recipe [easy, no cream, no butter] (2024)

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This Lemon Pasta is budget-friendly, creamy, tangy and ready in just 10 minutes. So easy to make with simple ingredients, you wouldn’t believe it is vegan and you can do this with so little effort. Kids-friendly, family-approved a keeper with fresh flavor that the whole family will enjoy.

Creamy Lemon Pasta Recipe [easy, no cream, no butter] (1)

People ask often how do you add flavor to pasta? The answer is the ingredients and of course sauce!

Don’t be shy of garlic, herbs, and spices. This way, you will never be disappointed by easy pasta recipes like thisCacio e Pepe, theCajun Pasta,Macaroni Salad, or my Tetrazzini.

If you are looking for more pasta recipes, keep inspired and use the search bar.

Creamy Lemon Pasta Recipe [easy, no cream, no butter] (2)

Why you should try this easy pasta recipe

Making this Lemon Pasta from scratch is even easier than you might think, because you get:

  • step-by-step pictures: so you see and know each step beforehand and get the best result you deserve.
  • impressive results thanks to the combination of using lemon juice and zest
  • a meal on the table in 10 minutes using leftover, precooked pasta

My budget-friendly creamy Lemon Pasta recipe is perfect for meal prep and large batches. Learn to make a creamy lemon sauce without butter or heavy cream.

Creamy Lemon Pasta Recipe [easy, no cream, no butter] (3)

What you need for this creamy Lemon Pasta

  • cooked pasta (leftover is amazing) but I recommend using long pasta
  • fresh lemon juice
  • lemon zest
  • coconut milk
  • fresh garlic
  • extra virgin olive oil
  • vegan parmesan cheese

Creamy Lemon Pasta Recipe [easy, no cream, no butter] (4)

How to make Lemon Pasta

If you do not have any leftover pasta, you can cook pasta in a large pot according to the package directions.

Firstly, heat olive oil in a large skillet or casserole. Add sliced garlic and fry for a minute on medium-heat heat. Then, remove the skillet from heat and stir in the lemon juice and zest. Repeat this step with the coconut milk, and then bring the skillet back to medium heat for another minute.

Give the vegan parmesan to the sauce and stir well. Season the sauce with salt and pepper according to your taste.

Finally, add the cooked pasta to the lemon sauce and cook for four more minutes. Once done, serve the Lemon Pasta on plates or in bowls, and sprinkle with dome fresh herbs, if you like.

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Storage instructions and tips

If you have leftovers of the creamy Lemon Pasta, you can store them in an airtight container.

I recommend you let the pasta cool down to room temperature first. If you do this, the pasta will last for around 7 days.

If you cook pasta for this simple lemon pasta recipe, reserve some of the starchy pasta water. You can use it to thin the sauce if it becomes too thick,

Creamy Lemon Pasta Recipe [easy, no cream, no butter] (6)

Can I freeze Lemon Pasta?

Yes, you can freeze this, but keep in mind to use leftover pasta that is just cooked al dente, which means the texture should be spot on, not overcooked.

When you do so, you can go straight ahead and freeze this lemon pasta after letting it cool down to room temperature in individual freezer bags or bigger airtight containers. It will last like that for around 4 months.

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I recommend thawing completely before reheating in a casserole on the stove. Do this on low heat and carefully increase to medium heat.

Alternatively, you can use the oven. To do this, preheat to 170°F and warm lemon pasta slowly in an oven-safe dish.

Last but not least add pasta to a microwave dish and make it warm in your microwave.

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Variations for this Lemon Pasta recipe

Add herbs like, basil, parsley or chives.

Use extra vegetables: like peas, spinach, broccoli, and asparagus.

Creamy Lemon Pasta Recipe [easy, no cream, no butter] (9)

If you give this Lemon Pasta a try, tag me on Instagram or Facebook.

Show off your remakes, Florian.

Creamy Lemon Pasta Recipe [easy, no cream, no butter] (10)

Lemon Pasta

Yield: 2

Prep Time: 2 minutes

Cook Time: 8 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

This Lemon Pasta is budget friendly, creamy, tangy and ready in just 10 minutes. So easy to make with simple ingredients, you wouldn't believe it is vegan and you can do this with so little effort. Kids friendly, family approved a keeper with fresh flavor that the whole family will enjoy.

Ingredients

  • 4 cups pasta, cooked (use gf, if required)
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 lemons, juiced
  • 2 tsp lemon zest
  • 1 cup coconut milk full fat
  • 3 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
  • Vegan Parmesan (my recipe)
  • salt, pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. In a skillet or casserole, heat olive oil. Add sliced garlic and fry for 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in the lemon juice and zest. Repeat with the coconut milk, then bring to a cook again at medium heat for another minute.
  2. Give the vegan parmesan to the sauce and stir well. Season with salt and pepper.
  3. Finally add cooked pasta to the lemon sauce and cook for 4 minutes more. Serve on plates or in bowls.
Nutrition Information:

Yield: 2Serving Size: 2 cups
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 540Total Fat: 15.9gSaturated Fat: 1.3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9.8gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 197mgCarbohydrates: 63gFiber: 5.3gSugar: 1.2gProtein: 13g

Creamy Lemon Pasta Recipe [easy, no cream, no butter] (2024)

FAQs

How can I thicken pasta without cream? ›

Cornstarch: Make a slurry of half water, half cornstarch and whisk until smooth. Cornstarch is a powerful thickener, so start by whisking in no more than 1 tablespoon of the mixture per 2 cups of simmering sauce; stir and simmer for 2 minutes, check the thickness, and repeat with more slurry as needed.

What to put on pasta when you have no sauce? ›

Cheese is an excellent way to add flavor to your pasta without having to rely on sauce. Try mixing your angel hair pasta with goat cheese, and toss in sun-dried tomatoes to make an amazing meal with just a few ingredients. Garlic butter is a terrific way to season all types of noodles.

How much lemon is in one lemon? ›

One regular-sized lemon contains about 2-3 tablespoons of juice. Since all lemons aren't exactly the same, we like to stay on the side of caution and assume that one lemon contains 2 tablespoons juice. This means, if a recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, you'll need to use about ½ a lemon.

What does Al Limone mean in English? ›

Translation of "al limone" in English. Adjective. lemony. lemon-scented. al limone.

Can I use milk instead of cream in pasta? ›

Whole milk is an excellent substitute for heavy cream. It adds richness to your pasta sauce without the excess fat. Simply simmer your favourite pasta sauce with whole milk until it thickens to your desired consistency. The result is a velvety and indulgent sauce that pairs beautifully with pasta.

How to thicken sauce without butter? ›

Combine 2 tablespoons flour with every 1/4 cup cold water and whisk until smooth. Add the mixture to your sauce over medium heat, and continue to stir and cook until you've reached your desired consistency. Test with a spoon.

What can I put on pasta instead of butter? ›

Olive Oil. Olive oil is another key ingredient that we keep in the pantry at all times. So if you're out of butter, try using olive oil instead! It's a healthy alternative when sautéing veggies and it's great for using in pasta dishes, too.

What can I use in pasta sauce if I don't have cream? ›

Or, for creamy texture and flavor — again for non-whipping uses — half and half can be substituted in equal measure for cream. Crème fraîche is another good substitute for heavy cream. This thick, slightly tangy cream product is lighter than sour cream, and can be stirred into sauces when you need that creamy boost.

What can I add to plain pasta? ›

Here's a variety of tasty vegetables you can load into your pasta for their flavor, fiber, and nutrients.
  1. Broccoli. Broccoli is a nutritious and versatile vegetable that makes a great addition to any pasta dish. ...
  2. Mushrooms. ...
  3. Peas. ...
  4. Spinach. ...
  5. Tomatoes. ...
  6. Asparagus.
Apr 11, 2022

How many lemons is 2 cups? ›

On average, there are 3 tablespoons of juice in one lemon. So, for a cup of fresh lemon juice, you would need 5 and a quarter lemons. But, because some lemons are less juicy than others, it's safe to say you'd need 5 and a half lemons for a cup of lemon juice.

How much lemon juice should I use? ›

Stephens recommends using the juice from two to three lemons (about four to six tablespoons) throughout the day, and drinking one or two glasses of lemon water with meals, and one glass in between meals. But don't necessarily add lemon to every glass of water you drink.

How many lemons make 2 lbs? ›

2 lbs. of organic lemons. Approximately 9 juicy organic lemons.

What is the Italian name for lemons? ›

The word draws from the Old French limon, then Italian limone, from the Arabic laymūn or līmūn, and from the Persian līmūn, a generic term for citrus fruit, which is a cognate of Sanskrit (nimbū, 'lime').

What gender is limone in Italian? ›

The name of fruit: la ciliegia (cherry), la mela (apple), la pera (pear), l'albicocca (apricot), la pesca (peach), la banana (banana). What is remarkable, however, is the number of fruits that are considered masculine: il limone (lemon), il dattero (date), il fico (fig), l'ananas (pineapple);

What is lemon juice in italian? ›

noun. succo di limone. Copyright © by HarperCollins Publishers.

What can I use instead of heavy cream for pasta? ›

The 10 Best Substitutes for Heavy Cream
  • Milk and butter.
  • Soy milk and olive oil.
  • Milk and cornstarch.
  • Half-and-half.
  • Tofu and soy.
  • Yogurt and milk.
  • Evaporated milk.
  • Cottage cheese and milk.

How can I thicken something without cream? ›

Use two tablespoons flour mixed with ¼ cup cold water for each cup of medium-thick sauce. Thoroughly mix in the water to prevent lumps. After stirring the combined flour and water into the sauce, cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly. Heat one minute more to cook the flour thoroughly.

Can I use milk to thicken pasta? ›

Using dairy is an effective way to thicken and bind, without much hassle.

How to make pasta sauce thicker without cornstarch or flour? ›

Egg yolks, arrowroot, tomato paste or butter can thicken sauce in place of flour or cornstarch.

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