10+ Lemon Pasta Recipes for a Refreshing Meal

Lemon pasta is a delightful dish that brings brightness and flavor to your table. Whether you want a quick weeknight meal or a dish that impresses guests, lemon pasta recipes offer a refreshing twist that is easy to make and delicious.

With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a meal that highlights the zesty taste of lemon. It pairs well with different types of pasta and can be customized with various herbs and spices.

1) Classic Lemon Pasta with Garlic and Parmesan

This classic lemon pasta is a simple, delicious dish. Fresh lemon, garlic, and Parmesan create a bright flavor.

It’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. Cook your favorite pasta until it’s al dente.

While the pasta cooks, melt butter in a pan and sauté minced garlic until fragrant. Add lemon juice and zest.

Drain the pasta and toss it in the pan with the garlic mixture. Mix in grated Parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper.

Top with fresh parsley for color.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces pasta
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• Juice and zest of 1 large lemon
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to package instructions.
2. In a pan, melt butter over medium heat.
3. Sauté garlic for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
4. Add lemon juice and zest to the pan.
5. Drain pasta and toss it in the garlic mixture.
6. Stir in Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper.
7. Top with chopped parsley before serving.

2) Creamy Lemon Pasta with Pecorino Romano

Creamy Lemon Pasta with Pecorino Romano combines the bright taste of lemon with rich cheese. It’s quick to prepare and ideal for any weeknight dinner.

Cook your pasta until it’s al dente. Prepare a creamy sauce with butter, heavy cream, and freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese.

Add lemon juice and zest for a refreshing kick. Mix the pasta with the sauce until every strand is coated.

Serve hot, garnished with extra cheese and black pepper.

Ingredients

• 12 ounces spaghetti
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup Pecorino Romano cheese, grated
• Juice and zest of 2 large lemons
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook the pasta according to package directions in salted water.
2. In a pan, melt butter over medium heat.
3. Add heavy cream, stirring until warm.
4. Mix in the cheese, lemon juice, and zest.
5. Combine the pasta with the sauce and toss well.
6. Season with salt and pepper and serve hot.

3) Lemon Pasta with Olive Oil and Fresh Parsley

This lemon pasta is simple and refreshing. It comes together quickly.

The blend of olive oil, garlic, and fresh parsley brightens the dish. Start with cooked pasta, like spaghetti or linguine.

Toss it in olive oil, minced garlic, and the juice of a fresh lemon. Add chopped parsley for color and flavor.

Serve as a side or light main meal.

Ingredients

• 8 oz. thin spaghetti
• 1 fresh lemon
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook the spaghetti according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
2. In a large pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
3. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute.
4. Stir in the cooked pasta and lemon juice.
5. Add chopped parsley, salt, and pepper. Toss to combine. Serve warm.

4) Lemon-Garlic Linguine with Seared Scallops

Lemon-garlic linguine with seared scallops is simple to prepare. The bright flavors of lemon and garlic pair beautifully with the scallops.

Cook your linguine until it’s al dente. Sear the scallops in a hot pan for a golden crust.

Toss the linguine with fresh lemon juice, garlic, and olive oil. Add the scallops on top for a beautiful presentation.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces linguine
• 1 pound sea scallops
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook the linguine according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Season scallops with salt and pepper. Add to the skillet and sear for about 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown.
4. Remove scallops and add garlic to the pan. Sauté until fragrant.
5. Add lemon juice and cooked linguine to the pan. Toss to combine.
6. Plate the linguine and top with seared scallops. Garnish with parsley before serving.

5) Quick Lemon Spaghetti with Cherry Tomatoes

This quick lemon spaghetti recipe is fresh and simple. Cherry tomatoes and zesty lemon make it perfect for a light meal.

Cook spaghetti in boiling salted water. Heat olive oil in a pan.

Add halved cherry tomatoes and cook until they soften and burst. Stir in fresh lemon juice and zest.

Toss the cooked spaghetti in the pan with the tomatoes. Add salt, pepper, and fresh basil for extra flavor.

Ingredients

• 8 oz spaghetti
• 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 lemon (juice and zest)
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh basil, for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook spaghetti in boiling salted water until al dente, about 8-10 minutes.
2. In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.
3. Add cherry tomatoes and cook until they burst, about 5 minutes.
4. Stir in lemon juice and zest.
5. Toss the spaghetti with the tomato mixture and season with salt and pepper.
6. Serve with fresh basil on top.

6) Vegan Lemon Pasta with Nutritional Yeast

Vegan Lemon Pasta with Nutritional Yeast is bright, creamy, and delicious. Nutritional yeast adds a cheesy flavor without dairy.

For the sauce, blend soaked cashews, lemon juice, and nutritional yeast until smooth. This gives your pasta a silky texture.

Cook your favorite pasta and mix it with the sauce. Add salt, pepper, and fresh basil for extra flavor.

Ingredients

• ⅓ cup raw cashews
• 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh basil, for garnish
• 8 oz pasta of your choice

Cooking Instructions

1. Soak cashews in water for at least 30 minutes.
2. Drain cashews and place them in a blender.
3. Add nutritional yeast and lemon juice to the blender.
4. Blend until smooth and creamy.
5. Cook pasta according to package instructions.
6. Drain pasta and mix with the sauce.
7. Season with salt and pepper.
8. Garnish with fresh basil before serving.

7) Lemon Pasta with Asparagus and Capers

Lemon pasta with asparagus and capers is a bright and crunchy dish. The capers add a salty kick that balances the flavors.

Cook your favorite pasta until it’s al dente. Sauté fresh asparagus in olive oil and add capers.

Combine the pasta with the asparagus and capers. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the top and toss together.

Serve warm as a light meal or side dish.

Ingredients

• 8 oz pasta (such as linguine or spaghetti)
• 1 bunch thin asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
• 2-3 tbsp capers, drained
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Juice and zest of 1 lemon
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente.
2. While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
3. Add asparagus and sauté for 3-4 minutes until tender.
4. Stir in capers and cook for another minute.
5. Drain the pasta and combine it with the asparagus and capers.
6. Add lemon juice, zest, salt, and pepper. Toss well and serve.

8) Lemon Pasta with Shrimp and Artichoke Hearts

Lemon pasta with shrimp and artichoke hearts is a bright and tasty dish. The flavors come together in a light and refreshing meal.

Cook your pasta until al dente. Sauté shrimp in olive oil until pink.

Add artichoke hearts and stir. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the mixture.

Toss in some herbs for extra taste. Serve this dish right away, topped with Parmesan cheese if you like.

Ingredients

• 8 oz angel hair pasta
• 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 can (14 oz) artichoke hearts, drained
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh herbs (like parsley or basil), for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to package instructions; drain.
2. In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.
3. Add shrimp; cook until pink, about 3 minutes.
4. Stir in artichoke hearts; mix well.
5. Squeeze lemon juice into the mixture.
6. Season with salt and pepper.
7. Toss pasta with shrimp and artichokes.
8. Garnish with fresh herbs and serve.

9) Zesty Lemon Pasta with Garlic and Olive Oil

This zesty lemon pasta is fresh and easy to make. The bright flavors of garlic and olive oil create a delicious dish you can make quickly.

Cook your favorite pasta, such as spaghetti or angel hair, until it’s al dente. While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a pan and add minced garlic.

Cook the garlic until it smells fragrant but not browned. When the pasta is ready, drain it and toss it in the pan with the garlic and olive oil.

Add fresh lemon juice and zest for extra flavor. Sprinkle parsley on top for color.

Ingredients

• 8 oz pasta (spaghetti or angel hair)
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• Juice and zest of 1 lemon
• Fresh parsley, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente.
2. In a pan, heat olive oil over medium heat.
3. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant.
4. Drain pasta and add to the pan.
5. Mix in lemon juice, zest, salt, and pepper.
6. Toss in chopped parsley before serving.

10) Lemon Butter Pasta with Fresh Basil

Lemon butter pasta with fresh basil is a simple and delightful dish. It combines the brightness of lemon with the richness of butter.

Fresh basil adds wonderful flavor. You only need a few ingredients to make this dish.

The pasta cooks quickly, and the sauce comes together fast. This meal works well for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces spaghetti
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 lemon (zested and juiced)
• 1 cup fresh basil leaves
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Boil salted water and cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions. Drain the spaghetti and set it aside.

2. Melt butter in a pan over medium heat.

3. Add lemon zest and juice. Stir to combine.

4. Toss the cooked pasta in the lemon butter sauce.

5. Add fresh basil. Season with salt and pepper.

6. Serve with grated Parmesan cheese if you like.