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 is a healthy alternative for creamy pasta? ›

Low-fat milk and butter

If you're health-conscious but still want creamy pasta, use low-fat milk and a touch of butter. The combination provides a milder creaminess while keeping the calorie count lower. These alternatives are not only easy to use but also add a unique twist to your 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 I use milk instead of cream in pasta? ›

Either one will give a wonderful balance of flavor and creaminess. Can you use milk instead of cream in pasta sauce? Whole milk or even a dairy-free milk, like almond milk, will work just fine in this recipe. They just won't thicken quite like half and half or cream.

How do you 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 is a healthy substitute for butter in pasta? ›

You can easily substitute olive oil for butter in most pasta recipes, especially ones that have lots of fresh vegetables. Choose recipes that are lightly dressed and avoid pastas with rich cream sauces (which require butter).

Can you use milk instead of cream? ›

Substituting Milk for Heavy Cream

Whole milk alone can work in some instances as a substitute. At 3.5%, its fat content is low, but it's a good substitute in mashed potatoes or potatoes au gratin. (You'll just need to add extra flour to prevent the sauce from separating.)

How to make cream at home easy? ›

Place the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla in a mixing bowl (you can use a stand mixer with a whisk attachment or use a hand mixer). Beat at medium until frothy and beginning to thicken, then increase to medium-high speed and beat until you start to see trails left by the beaters. Stop and scrape the bowl.

What can I put on plain pasta? ›

13–17. Sauces
  1. Pesto. Typically made by blending pine nuts, fresh basil, olive oil, and Parmesan cheese, pesto can be a nutritious and delicious pasta topping. ...
  2. Bolognese sauce. ...
  3. Avocado sauce. ...
  4. Lemon garlic sauce. ...
  5. Greek yogurt Alfredo sauce.
Apr 11, 2022

Can I just add sauce to pasta? ›

First, in authentic Italian cuisine, the sauce is always tossed with the pasta before it ever hits the plate. Just before the sauce is done cooking, the hot pasta is added to the saucepan. Generally speaking, we recommend cooking the pasta in the sauce together for about 1-2 minutes.

What can I put on pasta instead of tomato sauce? ›

Some options include:
  • **Pesto Sauce:** A flavorful blend of basil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil.
  • **Alfredo Sauce:** A creamy sauce made with butter, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese.
  • **Olive Oil and Garlic Sauce:** Sauté garlic in olive oil for a simple, aromatic alternative.
Jan 26, 2023

What do lemons symbolize in Italy? ›

Since antiquity, lemon trees have been considered a valuable luxury and a symbol of prosperity. Their fruit is a symbol of the Mediterranean lifestyle, sunny outdoors, blue skies and leafy greens. Lemons' sunny yellow evokes energy, light, warmth.

What is lemon called in Italian? ›

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

What is the Italian word for lemonade? ›

More Example Sentences.

Bevono molta limonata. They drink a lot of lemonade.

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? ›

White Flour

Flours can be used to make a bit of a slurry and add to the sauce to make it thicker. 1 part flour to 2 parts liquid and then adding it to your sauce should thicken it nicely. Just make sure that when you make the slurry, there are no lumps in your mixture.

How do you thicken sauce without flour or cream? ›

To thicken gravy with cornstarch and get smooth results, mix the cornstarch with 1 to 2 tablespoons of water to make a liquid-like paste or slurry. Another method is to strain the dry cornstarch through a fine-mesh sieve, although using this method to thicken gravy may result in a more lumpy gravy.

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