Last Updated on February 15, 2022 by Anne-Marie
A simple lemon pasta recipe that's a delightful pairing of creamy sauce, pasta, and lemon flavors. Easy to adapt to vegan and gluten-free diets.
Why this recipe works
This Simple Lemon Pasta Recipe makes an easy weeknight meal. Easy to adapt for vegan and gluten-free diets, it’s become a family favorite.
It was inspired by a blogger challenge, where I recreated a recipe from Jen Around the World. (With permission of course!)
My husband, Paul, loved it so much he told me it was one of his favorite recipes I’d ever created!
Simple Lemon Pasta
This recipe for lemon pasta sauce is easy to modify if you are vegan, dairy-free, or gluten-free – or all the above!
With only a few ingredients, it’s also ideal for those last minute meals that take little time to prepare.
For a heartier meal, grill up some chicken breasts and make Lemon Pasta with Chicken. Or sauté a bag of frozen asparagus and make Lemon Pasta with Asparagus.
See how versatile this recipe is?
How to make dairy free lemon pasta
For those who need to have a dairy-free or vegan recipe, here are a few simple substitutions that keep the recipe compliant while maintain its integrity.
● Substitute my Vegan Tofu Sour Cream Recipe or Tofutti Sour Cream for regular sour cream.
● Use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese if you need a vegan option.
● A dairy free or vegan butter spread like Earth Balance is an easy (and delicious) option.
Making this a low-fat lemon pasta
If you can have dairy, lighten this recipe for Lemon Pasta Sauce by using either a low-fat sour cream or a non-fat Greek yogurt.
I prefer the Greek yogurt since it’s tastier and sometimes low-fat sour creams can contain sketchy filler ingredients that you may want to avoid.
Another fat reducing tip is to use a low-fat buttery spread.
Sometimes when lowering fat in a recipe, you may need to amp up the flavor.
Adding capers to this recipe would work wonderfully and have a similar flavor profile to chicken piccata.
(Capers are also delicious in salads, so don't worry about the leftovers!)
Gluten free lemon pasta suggestions
While I used whole wheat pasta for this version, you can easily use gluten-free pasta.
There are so many terrific brands on the market these days. Even the store brands are delicious and cook up well.
My kids aren’t gluten-free and I can manage to get them to eat my GF pasta with this yummy lemon pasta sauce and a hearty helping of freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
Do you have a favorite cheese grater? I love the Zesty Citrus Lemon Zester & Cheese Grater. I’ve had it for over four years now and it works great for both cheese and citrus!
More easy pasta recipes for dinner
Pasta is one of my all-time favorite options for fast and easy meals.
There are so many options for dressing up a pasta recipe. Plus, they’re easy to modify to make them gluten or dairy free.
If you like pasta as much as we do, you’ll love these Crock-Pot Baked Ziti Recipe, Instant Pot Lasagna, and Instant Pot Spaghetti recipes. All can be made vegetarian with substitutions.
Or try Pasta with Cannellini Beans and Italian Vegetables for a quick and easy dinner.
Simple Lemon Pasta Recipe
A simple lemon pasta recipe that's a delightful pairing of creamy sauce, pasta, and lemon flavors. Easy to adapt to vegan and gluten-free diets.
Ingredients
- 1 box pasta (any variety)
- 4 tablespoons butter or buttery spread
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lemon, juiced and zested
- 2 cups sour cream, vegan sour cream, or non-fat Greek yogurt
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
- Flat-leaf parsley, chopped – to taste for garnish, plus extra for serving
Instructions
- Cook pasta al dente in salted water. Drain, rinse, and place pasta back in the pot. Place lid on the pot to keep pasta warm. Set aside.
- Juice one lemon into a bowl. Strain to remove pulp and seeds.
- In a skillet, melt butter with olive oil over medium-low heat. When butter is melted, add minced garlic and lemon juice. Turn off the heat.
- Add your sour cream (or vegan sour cream substitute) to the butter and oil mixture. Add lemon zest and salt. Stir everything together and taste. Add more salt if necessary.
- Pour sour cream mixture over drained pasta. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of water.
- Place pasta in a large serving bowl and then sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and parsley.
- Serve with extra grated cheese and parsley on the side.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 541Total Fat: 46gSaturated Fat: 31gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 42mgSodium: 662mgCarbohydrates: 21gFiber: 1gSugar: 10gProtein: 12g
Nutritional information is automatically calculated per the ingredients list. Serving size may not be accurate. Please double-check with your preferred nutritional app for the most accurate information.
Originally published on September 10, 2012. Updated with new pictures and information.
Tried this tonight. Wonderfully delicious. For added protein I made pan fried shrimp and a salmon burger.
That looks like a very fresh-tasting pasta dish. Excellent! and Pinned.
I just pinned your awesome recipe! Thanks for sharing and have a great day.
Miz Helen
Miz Helen, thanks for the pin! And everyone else, thanks for great comments!
This is sounding fantastic. Lovely adaptation.
Simple, delicious and healthy? Yup, seems like you have a winner.
I would never thought that a lemon pasta recipe would use sour cream! Must keep this in mind the next time I have half a tub of sour cream in my fridge and nowhere to use it!
I’ve never made a lemon pasta before so this has inspired me.
Great modifications to make the dish meet your dietary requirements, and it looks and sounds wonderful – no wonder your family gobbled it up!!!
So glad that you all liked it!!
Yum! what a rich pasta dish.. sounds amazing. Thanks for the tofu sour cream recipe