This lemon pasta is incredibly simple yet packs a flavor punch with lemon-scented cream sauce that’s silky, peppery, and bursting with cheesy parmesan goodness that coats each piece of pasta. It’s a true Italian masterpiece. Not to mention it’s such an easy dinner!
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This lemon pasta recipe is just like the classic, simple dish I had on the Amalfi Coast in Italy when I visited – where they’re famous for growing and making all-things lemon. There they call lemon pasta “pasta al limone”. It’s creamy, lemony, and SO easy to make for a weeknight dinner!
I so fondly remember my first night in Italy – ready to try as many pasta dishes that could fit in my belly. I wanted to try all of the classics like Tagliatelle Bolognese, Cacio e Pepe, Amatriciana, etc. (the real, authentic way!). I asked our waiter, “so what’s a pasta I shouldn’t miss?” Without hesitation, he pointed to the lemon pasta on the menu.
He explained that this mystery dish is a lightly creamy, simple lemon-infused pasta dish (of course featuring the lemons grown down the road). It was absolutely incredible: lemon scented, silky and peppery, with nutty and salty undertones from finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano. The pasta was al-dente to balance the creaminess of the lemon sauce.
This is my best interpretation of the creamy lemon pasta I ate in Amalfi, made with only a few ingredients! Don’t forget to also try these other classic Italian pasta dishes like Pasta Carbonara the Amalfi way and my Pasta alla Genovese that are just as delicious.
Lemon Pasta Ingredients
- Fettuccine or spaghetti – both fettuccine and spaghetti are classic pastas used for lemon pasta. I particularly love fettuccine!
- Heavy cream – heavy cream is the base for classic creamy lemon pasta. There’s really no good substitute for it!
- Parmigiano-Reggiano – Parmigiano-Reggiano is the traditional cheese used, adding both flavor and texture.
- Butter – butter enhances the flavor of the lemon.
- Fresh lemon juice – lemon juice cuts the richness of the cream.
- Lemon zest – lemon zest adds true lemon flavor.
- Black pepper – black pepper adds a subtle peppery flavor!
How to Make Lemon Pasta
Making lemon pasta is so easy! The full instructions and step-by-step video are in the recipe card below!
Step 1: In a large skillet, add butter, lemon juice and zest over medium heat. Stirring occasionally, let the butter melt and simmer for 20 seconds. Pour in the cream, black pepper, and salt to taste.
Step 2: Over medium/low heat, bring the cream mixture to a very gentle simmer. Once simmering, start boiling your pasta. Let the cream mixture thicken and reduce by about one-quarter while your pasta is boiling. Stir often. Cream mixture will reduce by one-quarter in about 10 minutes.
Step 3: Add parmesan cheese and toss over low heat. Drain pasta and use tongs to toss pasta into the cream mixture.
Step 4: Plate with more black pepper, cheese, and a sprinkle of lemon zest.
My Pro Tip
Pro Tips for Success
Zest lemons before juicing them.
Pasta should be al-dente, with a nice bite to it!
If the cream mixture reduces by one-quarter before the pasta is done cooking, keep cream mixture on very low heat, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is done.
This pasta is best served right away, hot!
What to Serve With Lemon Pasta
My favorite way to serve lemon pasta is as a first course (that’s how many Italians do it!). If you serve lemon pasta as a main dish, I recommend these fresh side dishes to accompany it:
- A salad, like this Italian Salad or Caprese Salad
- A simple vegetable like Broiled Asparagus or Roasted Green Beans
- Bread, like Garlic Bread
- Variations and Substitutions: add in Parmesan Crusted Chicken or a piece of Poached Salmon for added protein, and swap heavy cream for half-and-half to lighten things up!
Storage and Reheating Tips
Lemon pasta is best enjoyed right away, hot! If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container once cooled completely for 2-3 days. Reheat gently in the stove or in the microwave with an extra splash of cream to refresh.
More Pasta Recipes You’ll Love!
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Mushroom Pasta
If you’ve tried this Lemon Pasta Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please let me know in the comments below. I love hearing from you. Please consider leaving a 🌟 star rating while you are here!
Lemon Pasta (Pasta al Limone)
Ingredients
- 1 pound fettuccine or spaghetti
- 1 ¼ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, plus more to garnish
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 2 ½ tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 ¼ teaspoon lemon zest, packed
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
- In a large skillet, add butter, lemon juice and zest over medium heat. Stirring occasionally, let the butter melt and simmer for 20 seconds. Pour in the cream, black pepper, and salt to taste. Stir.
- Over medium/low heat, bring the cream mixture to a very gentle simmer. Once simmering, start boiling your pasta. Let the cream mixture thicken and reduce by about one-quarter while your pasta is boiling. Stir often. Cream mixture will reduce by one-quarter in about 8-10 minutes.
- Add parmesan cheese to sauce and stir over low heat. Drain pasta and use tongs to toss pasta into the cream mixture.
- Serve right away. Plate with more black pepper, cheese, and a sprinkle of lemon zest.
Video
Notes
- Zest lemons before juicing them.
- Pasta should be al-dente, with a nice bite to it!
- If the cream mixture reduces by one-quarter before the pasta is done cooking, keep cream mixture on very low heat, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is done.
- This pasta is best served right away, hot!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I used vegan cream, and vegan cheese with some added broccoli and this was perfect! So nice for a warm day.
Sarah,
Awesome! So happy you enjoyed. Thanks for letting me know!
Grace
Delicious! A wonderful side to grilled salmon.
Hi Debbie,
Love the grilled salmon idea. Thanks for commenting!
Grace
The comments are no joke when they say this pasta is delicious and ridiculous. We made this for dinner last night and the lemon is soooo nice, cuts through the heaviness of the cream. We added chopped fresh parsley when we were melting the butter. I saved this recipe as one to make monthly because it is easy, quick and GREAT!
We had roasted chicken on the side but I can see sticking to vegetarian and adding spinach to the noodles the last few minutes of cooking. Just a suggestion to those looking for more than just pasta.
Hi Mary,
Woohoo!! Thanks so much for letting me know how the pasta turned out. Love the additions!
Grace
I cook from a lot of recipes online, but this one is the ONLY one I printed out to pass along to my friends, family & co-workers .
I did add a Lil hot pepper flake as you suggested which made good GREAT! I also doubled the recipe ( I love sauce ) I am elated I did. Will be good on my Eggs Benedict this morning! 😊
Do you have a good Mac & cheese recipe? NOTHING online was worthy of a remake
Hi Becky,
I’m SO happy you love the recipe as much as I do!! I have a lobster mac & cheese recipe on my blog, but you can always omit the lobster and use the same recipe 🙂
https://tastefullygrace.com/lobster-mac-and-cheese/
Let me know if you try it!
Grace
This pasta was fantastic!!! Everything about it was perfect. The sauce was creamy, full of lemon and the black pepper gave it that Italian kick!!
This is the BEST. Pasta. Ever.
We are enjoying this pasta for dinner tonight. It’s a light, fresh sauce and I think you could easily add chicken or shrimp. My only suggestion would be to double the sauce.
Hi Chris,
I’m so glad you enjoyed the dish! I’m sorry to hear it was a little dry 🙁 I’m guessing the sauce reduced a bit too much, which can happen fast. Definitely double the sauce if you’re loving that cream sauce!
Grace
I made this pasta (thin spaghetti) and tossed in parsnips while the sauce reduced (before the cheese). They married so well with the bright sauce. Thank you for sharing such a tasty (and stress-free) recipe!
Hi Aislira,
Thanks so much for letting me know! So happy you liked it. The parsnips are a fun add!
Grace
Yum. I’m usually not a cream fan but this pasta had such a fresh quality to it with the lemon. I am sold!
Yay!! So happy to hear.
Grace
Omg this pasta was riiiiiidiculous. Super easy to make and I’m not the best in the kitchen lol. Crowd pleaser across the board. Thank you!!
Thanks so much for the comment! So happy you loved it.
Grace