Creamy Lemon Pasta

Name: Creamy Lemon Pasta
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Pasta
Ingredients: 1 lb linguini; 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest; 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice (about 3 lemons); 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream; 8 oz skim ricotta cheese; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon pepper; 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese; Parsley for garnish

January 5, 2021 by Tanya Schroeder · 28 Comments · Last updated: May 4, 2022

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Lemon pasta is light, creamy, and easy to make.

Just a few ingredients are all it takes to put together a refreshingly simple meal!

Lemons and spring just go hand and hand, don’t they? We start seeing citrusy desserts and dishes all over the place when the weather starts to get warmer. So this lemon pasta is in good company. This lemon pasta recipe is one of my favorite recipes to make for spring! Although, this dish can definitely be enjoyed all year round! It’s so light and refreshing that you’ll easily want a second plateful.

What Is Lemon Pasta?

Lemon pasta is linguini noodles that have been cooked until al dente then coated in a light and creamy lemon-flavored cream sauce. Think of this as a dish that is similar to a pasta Alfredo recipe. The lemon pasta sauce is easy to make and features a creamy texture with a tangy and refreshing taste that really helps to make your pasta feel light, instead of heavy. So if you’re looking for a lighter meal option for lunch or something that could pair well with a simple green salad this creamy lemon pasta is really it.

Ingredients

Linguini
Grated Lemon Zest
Fresh Lemon Juice
Heavy Whipping Cream
Skim Ricotta Cheese
Salt
Pepper

For the exact measurements, please see the recipe card below.

How To Make Lemon Pasta

Prepare the sauce while you cook the pasta. When the pasta is ready, reserve about ½ a cup of cooking liquid then drain the pasta and set aside. The reserved cooking liquid will not only flavor the sauce, but the starch from the pasta will act as a thickener.

Place the reserved cooking liquid, lemon juice, lemon zest, heavy cream, and ricotta cheese in a blender. If your liquid is still hot, make sure you blend without the lid and use a towel to cover the opening so that you allow steam to escape.

Pour the lemon sauce into a large pot that has been placed over medium heat. Whisk in Parmesan cheese and stir until smooth and creamy. Continue to heat the sauce until it has thickened slightly.

Season the sauce with salt and pepper then add the cooked pasta, turning the pasta to coat.

Recipe Tips

Keep the dish meatless or pack it full of veggies. Protein isn’t the only thing that can be added to this dish!
- Think spring veggies! Brussels sprouts, zucchini, asparagus, spinach….almost any vegetable would taste amazing tossed in that creamy, lemon sauce! You can bulk up this dish almost any way you’d like!
This recipe starts with linguini pasta. I like the way the sauce clings to the long pasta, so Fettucine noodles would make a nice substitute. Honestly, however, you could use any pasta that can hold a little sauce!

Substitutions

-Add chicken or veggie broth for more flavor.

-Mascarpone or cream cheese could be used in place of the ricotta cheese

-Meyer lemons could be used in place of regular lemons

-Whole milk or half and half can be used in place of the heavy cream

FAQs

Can I Make Lemon Pasta With Chicken?

Yes, you can easily add protein to this pasta dish! If you were going to use chicken, I would suggest using a rotisserie chicken and adding the shredded chicken to the sauce the same time you add the pasta.

Sliced turkey or seafood like shrimp or scallops would also make great add-ins for this pasta!

Can Lemon Pasta Be Reheated?

Yes, like any pasta it can be reheated, however, the sauce will take on a different consistency. The sauce will thicken around each pasta and will not be quite as creamy when reheated.

If you should find yourself with leftovers, you will still enjoy the flavor of this dish!

What To Serve With Lemon Pasta?

I nice baguette is always a good idea for starters! This Easy Spring Salad, this Easy Spinach Salad, or this Shrimp Caesar Salad are all nice side dish options.

I hope you enjoy this dish as much as we did! This lemon pasta is creamy, tastes light, tangy, and delicious!

If you love pasta as much as I do, then try Cacio de Pepe, Pesto Pasta Primavera, Alfredo with Lemon and Artichokes.

Savory Lemon Recipes

Lemon Herb Veal Chops

Succulent veal chops are pan-fried then finished in the oven for the perfect degree of doneness! A simple lemon herb sauce surrounds each veal chop so that each bite is melt-in-your mouth perfect! This meal is worthy of any special occasion!

Lemony Kale Salad

This fresh, crisp, and light kale salad will easily become your new favorite salad! It is a breeze to throw together and always tastes amazing!

Lemon Risotto

Avgolemono Soup

Avgolemono soup is a simple Greek soup that is tangy and rich tasting. This is the kind of soup that will make you feel good from the inside out!

Yield: 4