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,

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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? ›

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 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.

How much lemon juice is equivalent to 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 can I use 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.

What can I use in place of heavy cream in pasta? ›

The 10 Best Substitutes for Heavy Cream
  1. Milk and butter.
  2. Soy milk and olive oil.
  3. Milk and cornstarch.
  4. Half-and-half.
  5. Tofu and soy.
  6. Yogurt and milk.
  7. Evaporated milk.
  8. Cottage cheese and milk.

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 is a substitute for sauce? ›

Substitute Tomato Paste For Tomato Sauce

If you have a can of tomato paste in your pantry, you are in luck—this is the best substitution for tomato sauce. All you need is the tomato paste and water. Mix together 1 part tomato paste and 1 part water until well blended.

How do you make plain pasta better? ›

Add butter after it's cooked and drained, then add seasoning, then stir it up. I use parsley, garlic salt, onion powder, garlic powder and a small amount of accent. Sometimes I also use celery salt. Well obviously add a pasta sauce.

What is lemon called in Italian? ›

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

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 the Italian word for lemonade? ›

More Example Sentences.

Bevono molta limonata. They drink a lot of lemonade.

Can I use Jif lemon instead of a real lemon? ›

Jif Lemon 100ml can be used in recipes that require or recommend the use of lemon juice. Jif Lemon 100ml is a great way of adding low calorie flavour to dishes. Jif Lemon; it's lemon juice in a Jif!

Can you substitute bottled lemon juice for real lemon juice? ›

If not otherwise stated in the recipe, if it calls for lemon juice, it means fresh lemons, and not bottled. Most recipe ingredients mean the fresh version, unless otherwise stated. Bottled lemon juice is an acceptable alternative if you have no fresh lemon to hand (well, barely tolerable rather than acceptable).

Can you use bottled lemon juice for cooking? ›

To use: Shake well before use, and use the same amount of bottled lemon juice in a recipe as you would fresh juice. If a recipe specifies the juice of 1 lemon, replace it with 2 tablespoons of bottled lemon juice.

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 make pasta sauce thicker without milk? ›

Use Flour and Water

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.

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.

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