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.

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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.

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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

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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,

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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? ›

Milk + Flour + Butter: Whisk together 1 cup of whole milk (make sure it's COLD), 2 tablespoons of flour, and 2-3 tablespoons of melted butter (cooled). Whisk until smooth. Once you heat this mixture it will begin to thicken like heavy cream. This is my favorite, fool-proof heavy cream substitute for pasta dishes!

What can I put on pasta without 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.

What does Al Limone mean in English? ›

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

Can you reheat lemon pasta? ›

Place leftovers in an airtight storage container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To Reheat. Gently rewarm lemon pasta in a large skillet on the stove over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water as needed to thin the sauce. Toss the noodles often and brighten them up with a squeeze of lemon.

What can I use instead of cream in 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.

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 do you make plain pasta better? ›

Melt butter with garlic very slowly to avoid burning the garlic. Season with parsley, salt, black pepper, and cayenne. Add cooked pasta to the skillet and toss until well coated with butter. Increase the heat to medium and cook until pasta is heated through and has absorbed some of the butter.

Can you cook pasta in just the sauce? ›

Cooking pasta in the sauce instead of in boiling water will increase the amount of time it takes to cook through. It's a good technique to use if you want to delay serving your pasta for a few minutes. Make sure to keep the sauce thinned out with pasta water as the pasta finishes cooking if you use this method.

What is lemon called in Italian? ›

Lemon is limone in italian. The Italian word for lemon is limone.

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 spremuta di limone? ›

spremuta (di limone) fresh lemon juice.

What is cooking with lemon juice called? ›

At its core, ceviche is basically fresh seafood steeped in an acidic marinade, most commonly lime or lemon juice. The acid in the citrus forms an extremely low pH condition to denature the fish protein networks, much the same as heating would. This results in the seafood becoming opaque and more firm in texture.

What can you use instead of pasta water? ›

How to Make an Emergency Pasta Water Replacement. Mix together ¼ teaspoon of cornstarch with 1 cup of water and microwave for 1 to 2 minutes until hot. Use this mixture as you would use pasta water to create a sauce with a silky consistency.

How much pasta per person? ›

Measuring Pasta

When you cook pasta, 2 ounces (56 g) of dry pasta per person is a good rule of thumb to follow. What does 2 ounces (56 g) of dry pasta look like? It depends on the shape. Use the helpful charts below to create perfect portions of pasta every time.

How do you make watery pasta thicker? ›

Use Tomato Paste:Tomato paste is concentrated and will thicken the sauce without diluting the flavor. Add a couple of tablespoons to start, and adjust to your desired thickness. Add Cornstarch or Arrowroot:Mix a tablespoon of cornstarch or arrowroot with a bit of cold wat.

How do you thicken pasta without dairy? ›

While you can't add butter to vegan dishes, you can still use flour to add some substance to watery sauces. All types of flour work well for thickening, including wheat flour, coconut flour, and chickpea flour. However, you should keep the flavor of your dish in mind when choosing a thickening agent.

How do you thicken Alfredo sauce without heavy cream? ›

Add Cheese

This first method is not only the easiest, but also arguably the most delicious. The key ingredient in Alfredo sauce is cheese—generally Parmigiano Reggiano—and lots of it. To thicken Alfredo sauce, simply add more cheese than the amount called for in a recipe until you achieve the consistency you want.

Can you thicken pasta with milk? ›

Whole Milk or Heavy Cream: Add a splash and let the sauce simmer for a few minutes to thicken. Hard Cheeses: A half cup of grated parmesan, pecorino, or other hard cheese adds a deep savory note to the sauce. Fresh Cheese: Try adding a scoop of ricotta, mascarpone, crème fraîche or even simple cream cheese!

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