Pasta With Lemon Cream Sauce

This pasta with lemon cream sauce is quick, easy, and delivers the perfect balance of rich and refreshing flavors—ideal for a dinner that feels special without taking all night to make!

If you haven't realized this already, there's something you should know about me: I'm a pasta LOVER. Developing pasta recipes is my absolute favorite (after sourdough of course).

I came up with this creamy lemon sauce for pasta because I'm a big fan of the creamy sauces. I'm definitely saving this one as a go-to recipe for when I need something a bit different — I love the lemony twist!

Why You'll Love Making Pasta With Lemon Cream Sauce

• Quick + Simple: Only a handful of ingredients and 30 minutes stand between you and this dreamy pasta dinner. Even beginners can nail this recipe on the first try since there's no complicated techniques involved.
• Pantry-Friendly: Uses basic ingredients you probably already have – pasta, cream, lemon, garlic, and parmesan. No need to make a special trip to the grocery store or hunt down hard-to-find items.
• Versatile Base: Works beautifully on its own or can be topped with grilled chicken, shrimp, or roasted vegetables for a heartier meal. The neutral but flavorful sauce pairs well with practically any protein or vegetable you have on hand.
• Restaurant Quality: The silky sauce and bright lemon flavor rival any dish you'd get at your favorite Italian spot, but at a fraction of the cost. The combination of fresh lemon and cream creates that perfect balance of rich and bright flavors that keeps you coming back for more.

🍝 There's something magical about stirring a pot of alfredo sauce while catching up with friends!

Recipe Ingredients

• Spaghetti noodles
• Butter
• Shallot — or an onion if you can't find a shallot!
• Garlic cloves
• Chicken broth
• Cream
• Lemon juice
• Parmesan cheese
• Salt
• Pepper
• Fresh parsley

For the exact amounts needed, please see the recipe card below.

How to Make Creamy Lemon Sauce for Pasta

Step 1: This recipe uses a shallot, but if you don't have one simply use an onion and it will still taste amazing. A shallot is just a milder and slightly sweeter onion, so it's great for a dish with pretty mild flavors, like this one.

Step 2: Since this sauce simmers for a while, I just add the garlic cloves in whole and then remove them to finish the sauce. You still get all the flavor with less work!

Step 3: One of my goals with this lemon cream sauce for pasta was to lighten it up a little bit more than a traditional sauce and give it a really fresh edge. I actually only use a splash or two of cream, and the base of the lemon cream sauce is chicken stock.

Step 4: I added the lemon at the very end after I'd reduced the sauce so it wouldn't be too strong of a flavor. I used one lemon, and that was enough for me. However, be sure to taste the sauce and adjust it to your preference. Always taste!!

Step 5: I also like to throw in some sausage sometimes. This is totally optional and up to you. If you do add meat, you'd cook it before you cook the onions, and just add the onions and garlic in when the sausage is almost cooked through.

Step 6: I also use the term "deglaze" in the recipe. Don't be afraid! All this means is that you'll be adding a liquid to a hot pan and then scraping the bits of cooked onion and meat off the bottom of the pan with your cooking utensil of choice.This gives you great flavor and makes any sauce incredible.

Pro Tip: If you like to cook with wine, deglaze the pan with about ⅓ cup of some kind of white wine, and then after it's almost reduced, add in the remaining balance of chicken broth.

Step 7: Lastly, sprinkle some fresh herbs on that pasta! Since this lemon cream sauce is a lighter sauce with a fresh lemon twist, a more mild herb-like parsley pairs beautifully. But be creative and mix it up! That's another thing I love about pasta, the herbs you use can totally transform an old favorite into a newly flavored favorite.

Expert Tips

• Perfect Al Dente: Cook your pasta 1 minute less than the package directions state, as it will continue cooking slightly when tossed with the hot sauce. This ensures your pasta stays perfectly al dente.
• Lemon Tip: Roll the lemon on the countertop while pressing firmly with your hand. This will make it easier to juice and it will release more juice, too!
• Fresh Ingredients: While pre-grated parmesan is convenient, freshly grated cheese melts much better into the sauce and provides superior flavor. A micro-plane creates the perfect texture for both the cheese and lemon zest.
• Temperature Matters: When adding cream to your sauce, make sure it's at room temperature to prevent curdling. If you're in a hurry, let it sit in warm (not hot) water for 10 minutes to take the chill off.

How to Store and Reheat Lemon Cream Sauce for Pasta

You can keep your leftover pasta stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. When you reheat the pasta you can do so in single servings on a plate in the microwave or in larger portions in a pot on the stove.

I find that adding a couple of tablespoons of cream to the pasta as it heats will help to rehydrate it and give a creamier consistency.

DO NOT freeze your pasta with lemon cream sauce. Freezing destabilizes the cream and causes it to separate.

More Pasta Sauce Recipes To Try

Looking for more pasta sauce perfection? These creamy sauces for pasta are guaranteed to become your new favorites.

• When you're craving pure comfort food, these Meatballs with Alfredo Sauce hit all the right spots with their creamy, savory goodness.
• This Quick & Creamy Sausage Alfredo Pasta has become my go-to dinner hero when I need something super satisfying in under 30 minutes.
• On those busy weeknights, my Quick Alfredo Pasta Recipe saves the day with its rich, velvety sauce that tastes like it's been simmering for hours.

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