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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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.
Delicious and quick!!!! I didnโt have heavy cream on hand so I made my own by combining whole milk, butter and flour, it turned out perfect, I also added garlic to the recipe and served with Texas Toast and salad. YUM! Thank you for sharing!
Hi Dimitra,
Love the heavy cream hack! Thanks for sharing and glad the pasta turned out well!!
Grace
Wonderful! Was looking for a lunch option and had seen this recipe. I had all the ingredients, so decided to make it. Came together really fast, and thenlemony flavor was perfect. Next timw.im going to try it with angel hair!
Hi Amy,
Thanks so much for your review! Love the angel hair idea ๐ Happy Thanksgiving!
Grace
SO good! Added some turkey for an added protein & it was excellent. Also chopped some fresh parsley on top to finish it. Yum, yum! Thank you for the recipe.
Hi Alicia,
Love the post-Thanksgiving turkey addition! Thanks for sharing and Happy Holidays!
Grace
My cream appeared to curdle ? Still tasty!
Hi Ann,
The cream will curdle if the heat is too high! Make sure to keep the heat at medium/low next time and it won’t curdle ๐ Glad it was tasty still!
Grace
My bad I messed up the recipe but Iโm sure itโll be amazing when I do it correctly.
Hi Mitch,
Please keep me posted if you make the recipe again!
Grace
Made it tonight and LOVED it. Already shared the recipe with a friend.
Hi Debbie,
So happy to hear! Thanks for letting me know!
Grace
Delicious! Also, super quick, easy and inexpensive!
Hi Ashley,
Really glad you loved it ๐ Thanks for letting me know!
Grace
We love this recipe and it is now a frequent meal for us. We usually use penne and add broccoli for my pescatarian and also chicken for the rest of us! Sometimes an extra squeeze of lemon for a little more zing! Easy, flavorful and filling!
Hi Jarelyn,
YAY! Love the broccoli and chicken additions ๐ Thanks for letting me know it turned out great!
Grace
Easy, quick and delicious recipe – love the lemon flavor, but also the cream, and parm nuttiness – just perfect!!
Hi Kathy,
Thanks so much for letting me know!! So happy you enjoyed ๐
Grace
So tasty. We tried this with burrata ravioli. My husband said it tasted just like the the sauce he had on a pasta dish in Amalfi ๐
Hi Anita,
Burrata ravioli sounds AMAZING. Thanks for sharing!!
Grace
This was so refreshing. I wanted to try it being that my husband and I visited the Almafi coast a few years ago. I will be adding this to my rotation as I was pleasantly surprised at how good it was. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Sanela,
Amazing! So glad my version stood up to your time in Amalfi!
Grace