Best Lemon Pasta Recipe (Ready in 15 Minutes!)

Bursting with tangy goodness, this Lemon Pasta recipe is the weeknight hero you didn’t know you needed. With a hint of zest, it’s about to become your new go-to meal. Ready in just 15 minutes, it’s perfect for when you want something delicious without the wait.

Lemon pasta with parmesan cheese.

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I’ve been cooking up delicious meals at home for 40 years, learning everything I know through trial and error. I’m all about vegetarian goodness that’s easy to whip up and tastes amazing. My blog’s packed with recipes for everyone, no matter your diet. My aim? To make cooking easy and fun for you. So, when I say this Lemon Pasta is a winner, it’s because it’s a tried-and-true favorite from my kitchen to yours.

Why You Will Love Making Lemon Pasta

If you’re in the mood for something light, zesty, and satisfying, making Pasta al Limone is an excellent choice. Here’s why you’ll adore preparing this dish:

  • Quick and Easy: Ready in 15 minutes with minimal ingredients, this recipe is a lifesaver on busy weeknights. 
  • Flavorful: The combination of fresh lemon sauce and parmesan cheese creates a burst of flavors that’s hard to resist.
  • Healthy Choice: Packed with the goodness of fresh lemons and olive oil, this dish is both nutritious and delicious.
  • Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a casual family dinner or entertaining guests, Lemon Pasta is sure to impress.
  • Leftover-Friendly: If you have any leftovers, they reheat beautifully, making for a tasty lunch or dinner the next day.

Ingredients You’ll Need

You’ll need all the ingredients in the photograph below.

A list of ingredients for a lemon pasta dish.

How to Make Lemon Pasta with Step-By-Step Instructions

A complete printable recipe and the measurements in both US customary and metric are available in the recipe card below.

Making this Lemon Pasta recipe is a breeze, and I’m here to guide you through each step. Let’s get started:

Boil the Pasta

Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boilAdd your spaghetti (or pasta of choice) and cook according to the package instructions. Remember, al dente is key – you want it cooked but still firm.

A person pouring pasta into a pot.
Boil your pasta in a large pot with salted water.

Create the Lemon Sauce

Heat a non-stick skillet to medium-high, add the olive oil, then once hot, add the garlic and onion cooking until translucent about 6-7 minutes being careful not to brown. Lower the heat, add the lemon juice and zest cooking for a couple minutes more, then season with salt and pepper.

A pan with onion and garlic.
Add the olive oil in a skillet and cook the garlic and onion.
a person squeezing lemon juice into a pan with garlic and onion.
Add the lemon juice and zest and cook for a couple of minutes.
a pan with cooked onion, garlic, and lemon juice.
Season with salt and pepper.

Combine Pasta and Sauce

Once your pasta is cooked, save about ¼ cup of pasta water before drainingReturn the pasta to the pot, pour in your lemon sauce, and toss it. Heat this over medium heat, stirring constantly. Add the reserved pasta water, bit by bit until the sauce reaches your desired consistency. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.

Pasta drained in a strainer.
Once the pasta is cooked, save ¼ cup of water before draining.
Pasta cooked with lemon sauce in a pan.
Add pasta and lemon sauce to pot. Toss to coat. Heat on medium, stirring constantly.

Garnish and Serve

Dish out the pasta into bowls. Top with a sprinkle of grated veggie parmesan, a bit more lemon zest, and freshly grounded pepper for an extra burst of flavor. Serve and enjoy with lemon slices on the side.

A plate of lemon pasta with parmesan cheese.
Top with a sprinkle of grated parmesan, lemon zest, and pepper.

Recipe Notes and Expert Tips

To help you perfect your Lemon Pasta, here are some handy tips and tricks:

  • Pasta Choice: While spaghetti works great, feel free to experiment with different types of pasta like angel hair pasta or fettuccine.
  • Lemons: While fresh lemon juice is ideal for flavor, you can use bottled lemon juice in a pinch. The zest adds a nice zing, so don’t skip it!
  • Cheese: Vegetarian parmesan adds a wonderful depth of flavor, but you can experiment with other hard cheeses too.
  • Heat Level: Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes based on how spicy you like your food.
  • Make it Lighter: Add some veggies like spinach or peas, and use wholewheat or chickpea pasta for extra fiber.
  • Add Protein: Feel free to add cooked tofu, tempeh, or even chickpeas for a protein boost.
  • Herb Variations: No basil? No problem! Fresh parsley or even thyme can be great substitutes.
  • Gluten-free: Just swap the regular pasta with your favorite gluten-free variety. The sauce and other ingredients are naturally gluten-free.
  • Vegan Option: This recipe can be easily modified for vegans. Use vegan cheese alternatives. The rest of the ingredients are plant-based.
  • Can I add nuts to this recipe? Definitely! Toasted pine nuts or slivered almonds can add a lovely crunch and nutty flavor to the dish. Just sprinkle them on top before serving.
  • Meal Prep: Cook the pasta the night before and store it in the fridge in a Ziploc bag with a little olive oil to stop it from sticking together. Mix the sauce ingredients and store them separately in an airtight container. Then just heat everything together the next day
  • Want lemon garlic pasta? Mince two cloves of garlic, mix it in with the lemon sauce, and hey presto! You have lemon garlic pasta!
A hand holding a plate of lemon pasta.

How to Store Leftover Lemon Pasta

Don’t let those delicious leftovers go to waste! Here’s how to store your Lemon Pasta effectively:

  • Cool Before Storing: Allow the pasta to cool to room temperature before storing, and use an airtight container to keep the Lemon Pasta.
  • Fridge: Properly stored, your Lemon Pasta should stay fresh for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
  • Reheating: When you’re ready to eat, simply reheat the pasta in a pan over medium heat. Add a splash of water or extra olive oil to loosen the sauce if needed.

What to Serve with this Lemon Pasta Recipe

Lemon Pasta is wonderfully versatile and pairs beautifully with a variety of sides. Here are some ideas to complete your meal:

Fresh Salad

A fresh, crisp salad is a no-brainer. It adds a refreshing touch to the pasta. Leafy greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and a light vinaigrette are easy to throw together and taste great! Try our Easy Caprese Salad for an extra boost of Italian flavor at your table.

Air Fryer-Roasted Vegetables

Try serving your Lemon Pasta with a side of roasted vegetables. Air Fryer Broccoli, Air Fryer Roasted Asparagus, or Air Fryer Zucchini, seasoned with a bit of garlic, salt, and pepper, and air fried until tender, can be a tasty addition.

Buttery Garlic Bread

Who doesn’t love garlic bread? It’s a classic side that pairs excellently with pasta dishes. The crisp, buttery, garlic-flavored French Bread complements the zesty lemon flavor of the pasta.

A bowl of lemon pasta with grated cheese.

More Pasta Recipes You Will Love

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Best Lemon Pasta Recipe (Ready in 15 Minutes!)

Our lemon pasta recipe is light, quick & easy. Make it in 15 minutes. Silky intense lemon flavor that is so delicious. Perfect as a main course or as a side dish on a buffet. Ideal summer pasta dish and suitable for vegetarians.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time15 minutes
Servings4
Calories303
Course: Main course
Cuisine: Italian

Utensils

Large pot

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces spaghetti
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ¼ onion diced small
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 lemons juiced and zested
  • 2 tablespoons vegetarian parmesan cheese
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, and cook your pasta according to packet directions, stirring occasionally. You always want to cook pasta al dente, so it's cooked but still firm when you bite into it.
    8 ounces spaghetti
  • Heat a non-stick skillet to medium-high, add the olive oil, then once hot, add the garlic and onion cooking until translucent about 6-7 minutes being careful not to brown. Lower the heat, add the lemon juice and zest cooking for a couple minutes more, then season with salt and pepper.
    2 tablespoons olive oil, ¼ onion, 2 lemons, 2 tablespoons vegetarian parmesan cheese, 2 cloves garlic
  • Once the pasta is cooked, save ¼ cup of water before draining. Add pasta and lemon sauce to the pot. Toss to coat. Heat on medium, stirring constantly.
  • Add a little of the pasta water to the sauce and keep adding a little at a time until you get the pasta sauce to the consistency that you prefer. Season with salt and pepper to taste
    Salt and pepper
  • Serve on plates with 2 slices of lemon and garnish with finely grated parmesan cheese, lemon zest, and pepper.

Notes

    • Pasta Choice: While spaghetti works great, feel free to experiment with different types of pasta like angel hair pasta or fettuccine.
    • Lemons: While fresh lemon juice is ideal for flavor, you can use bottled lemon juice in a pinch. The zest adds a nice zing, so don’t skip it!
    • Cheese: Vegetarian parmesan adds a wonderful depth of flavor, but you can experiment with other hard cheeses too.
    • Heat Level: Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes based on how spicy you like your food.
    • Make it Lighter: Add some veggies like spinach or peas, and use wholewheat or chickpea pasta for extra fiber.
    • Add Protein: Feel free to add cooked tofu, tempeh, or even chickpeas for a protein boost.
    • Herb Variations: No basil? No problem! Fresh parsley or even thyme can be great substitutes.
    • Gluten-free: Just swap the regular pasta with your favorite gluten-free variety. The sauce and other ingredients are naturally gluten-free.
    • Vegan Option: This recipe can be easily modified for vegans. Use vegan cheese alternatives. The rest of the ingredients are plant-based.
    • Can I add nuts to this recipe? Definitely! Toasted pine nuts or slivered almonds can add a lovely crunch and nutty flavor to the dish. Just sprinkle them on top before serving.
    • Meal Prep: Cook the pasta the night before and store it in the fridge in a Ziploc bag with a little olive oil to stop it from sticking together. Mix the sauce ingredients and store them separately in an airtight container. Then just heat everything together the next day
    • Want lemon garlic pasta? Mince two cloves of garlic, mix it in with the lemon sauce, and hey presto! You have lemon garlic pasta!

Storage & Reheating

    • Cool Before Storing: Allow the pasta to cool to room temperature before storing, and use an airtight container to keep the Lemon Pasta.
    • Fridge: Properly stored, your Lemon Pasta should stay fresh for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
    • Reheating: When you’re ready to eat, simply reheat the pasta in a pan over medium heat. Add a splash of water or extra olive oil to loosen the sauce if needed.

Nutrition

Calories: 303kcal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 2mg | Sodium: 45mg | Potassium: 219mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 32IU | Vitamin C: 30mg | Calcium: 60mg | Iron: 1mg

Disclaimer

Please note that nutrient values are estimates only. Variations can occur due to product availability and manner of food preparation. Nutrition may vary based on methods of origin, preparation, freshness of ingredients, and other factors.

For the step-by-step version of this recipe check out how to make the best lemon pasta ever.

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Recipe Rating




11 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I LOVE lemon and basil together, and this dish didn’t disappoint! SO much flavor, and easy to make! Loved it!

  2. 5 stars
    Well today is Friday, supermarket shop, I need a quick & delicious recipe for dinner after a busy day, so best lemony pasta ticks all the boxes, it’s really tasty.