Creamy Lemon Garlic Pasta

This creamy lemon garlic pasta is a staple dish in my house! It comes together in about 20 minutes or less and contains ingredients I almost always have on hand.

How do I make lemon garlic pasta?

This pasta dish tosses together hot pasta with a simple cream sauce, lemon zest and juice, herbs, garlic and red pepper flakes. Some of the key ingredients you'll need are:

• Garlic- I grate my garlic but you can also finely mince it if you don't have a grater
• Red pepper flakes- This pasta has a mild kick to it. You can omit these or add more depending on how you like spice.
• Cream- You'll reduce the cream to make a rich and decadent sauce.
• Herbs- I use fresh flat-leaf Italian parsley and thyme. Chopped basil would also be delicious.
• Pasta- I like using a long pasta for this dish, such as spaghetti or linguine.

How do I reheat creamy pasta?

While this pasta is best served immediately, it can also make for great leftovers. It can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3-5 days.

To reheat, add the pasta to a saucepan with a splash of water to just coat the bottom of the pan. Heat the pan on medium heat. As the water heats up, the pasta will become more pliable. Continue to occasionally toss the pasta, adding more water as needed, until hot. Taste and adjust for seasoning and top with more freshly grated parmesan cheese.

What should I serve lemon pasta with?

I love this dish as is, but if you are looking to add protein it would be great with grilled chicken, shrimp, or bacon. It would be great as a side dish along with any or all of these dishes:

• Sausage-Stuffed Mushrooms for an appetizer
• Marinated chicken 
• Broccolini
• Lemon and Garlic Smashed Potatoes
• Raspberry Mule to drink

I hope this easy pasta becomes a staple on your table too. If you make this creamy lemon garlic pasta, I'd love to hear what you think in the comments below!

Creamy Lemon Garlic Pasta

This recipe for easy, creamy lemon garlic pasta is a great staple dish that is made with just a few ingredients in 20 minutes.

5 from 1 vote

Print Pin Rate

Course: Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: pasta, sides, stovetop

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Servings: 4 people

Author: Caitlin from CC's Table

Ingredients

• 1 lb pasta I like using spaghetti
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 2 teaspoon grated garlic
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes more or less depending on spice preference
• 1.5 cups heavy whipping cream
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest about 1 lemon
• 2 tablespoon lemon juice about 1 lemon
• ½ teaspoon finely chopped fresh thyme leaves
• 1 tablespoon freshly chopped parsley plus more for serving if desired
• ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
• Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste

Instructions

• Bring a large pot of water to boil. Add pasta and a large pinch of salt and cook until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water. Drain.
• Meanwhile, melt butter in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add garlic and red chili flakes and stir until fragrant, about 1 or 2 minutes (careful not to burn the garlic).
• To the saucepan, add cream, lemon zest, lemon juice, thyme, and parsley. Bring to a low boil then reduce heat to a simmer. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally (be careful the cream doesn't boil over), until you can run your spoon along the bottom of your pan and see the bottom for a few seconds.
• Stir in the parmesan. Add pasta and toss to combine. If the sauce is too thick, slowly add 1 tablespoon at a time of reserved pasta water until sauce coats the pasta. Serve immediately and top with fresh parsley, if desired.

Notes

• This amount of chili flakes gives just a slight kick. Feel free to omit if you do not like spice, or increase if you are craving more spice.
• Recipe was originally posted on September 15, 2020 and updated on February 16, 2023.