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5.0 from 282 votes

Creamy Lemon Pasta

This creamy lemon pasta recipe is simple and fast to make with everyday ingredients! The zesty lemon brightens the decadent parmesan sauce.

Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
25 mins
Servings: 4
Calories: 508 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces uncooked pasta rigatoni or penne recommended
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1/2 tablespoon flour
  • 1 small clove garlic minced
  • 1/4 cup chicken broth/veg broth or dry white wine
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice + zest of 1/2 lemon
  • 1 cup heavy/whipping cream
  • 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • salt & pepper to taste
  • Garnish: fresh parsley & extra parm optional

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Boil a salted pot of water for the pasta and cook it al dente according to package directions.
  2. When the pasta is about 10 minutes away from being done, add the butter to a skillet over medium-high heat. Once it melts, sprinkle the flour in and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring fairly often.
  3. Add in the garlic, followed by the broth (or wine) and lemon juice + zest. Let it bubble for 1 minute.
  4. Whisk in the cream and cook it for a few minutes until the sauce has thickened up to your liking.
  5. Stir in the parmesan cheese and take the skillet off the heat. Season with salt & pepper as needed (I am generous with both).
  6. Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss until coated (I like to add a tablespoon or so of the pasta water to the sauce prior to draining it, especially if it's become a tad too thick). Garnish with more parmesan and a bit of chopped parsley if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • This pasta makes 4 reasonably-sized portions with plenty of sauce, but if you've got really hungry people and you're not serving it with anything else, I would double the recipe. Serves 2-4 depending on how much people eat.
  • I do NOT recommend subbing the heavy cream for anything with a lower fat content (e.g. half-and-half or milk) because the lemon in the sauce is very likely to curdle it, and you'll have to add more flour to thicken the sauce.
  • This pasta recipe also appears in the Salt & Lavender: Everyday Essentials cookbook.

Nutrition Information

Calories 508kcal (25%) Carbohydrates 46g (15%) Protein 12g (24%) Fat 31g (48%) Saturated Fat 19g (95%) Cholesterol 104mg (35%) Sodium 257mg (11%) Potassium 193mg (6%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 2g (4%) Vitamin A 1122IU (22%) Vitamin C 3mg (3%) Calcium 143mg (14%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 508

% Daily Value*

Calories 508kcal 25%
Carbohydrates 46g 15%
Protein 12g 24%
Fat 31g 48%
Saturated Fat 19g 95%
Cholesterol 104mg 35%
Sodium 257mg 11%
Potassium 193mg 4%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 2g 4%
Vitamin A 1122IU 22%
Vitamin C 3mg 3%
Calcium 143mg 14%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.