Lemon Pasta Recipe

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Traditional Italian lemon pasta is made with butter and lots of Parmesan, which I can’t eat. But the idea of lemon pasta sounded so good when I saw it on TikTok that I thought I’d give it a try without all that dairy.

Usually called “Pasta al Limone”, this lemon pasta is creamy, bright, and tangy. It’s a great dish to enjoy at the end of summer when you need dinner on the table fast but don’t want to be at the stove forever.

To replace the dairy, I opted for using tahini and nutritional yeast. They work together quite well, especially once the lemon juice and zest are added.

Why You’ll Love This Lemon Pasta Recipe

1. It’s still nice and creamy without adding any dairy.
2. It’s a great “Meatless Monday” meal.
3. It’s ready in under 30 minutes
4. It’s nice and tangy, just like the original.

Ingredients For Lemon Pasta Without Dairy

• Whole-grain pasta
• Olive oil
• Garlic
• Lemon juice + zest
• Tahini
• Nutritional yeast
• Reserved pasta water
• Salt + black pepper
• Fresh parsley or basil – for garnish. I used parsley.

Step-By-Step: How To Make Lemon Pasta Without Cheese

1. Boil pasta in salted water according to package instructions. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of pasta water. Return the drained pasta to the pot.
2. In a bowl, whisk together tahini, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic powder, nutritional yeast, and ¼ cup pasta water until creamy. Add more water as needed to loosen.
3. Pour the lemon sauce over the pasta, and toss until well-coated. Adjust with extra pasta water for creaminess.
4. Add salt and pepper to your liking and sprinkle in fresh herbs, or add them to your plate after plating.
5. Serve with a side salad and some crunchy, whole wheat garlic bread.

Pro Tips For Perfect Lemon Pasta

• Whisk tahini separately first with lemon juice + water. Don’t add it straight to hot pasta, or it may seize.
• Always save pasta water – It’s liquid gold for creaminess.
• Use fresh lemon zest for the best lemon flavor.
• Make it a full meal with roasted veggies or chickpeas.

Recipe Variations

• Gluten-free: Use GF pasta if you need it. Any pasta will work here.
• Extra protein: Add chicken, chickpeas, or lentils.
• Spicy: Add red pepper flakes or chili oil.
• Nutty topping: Toasted pine nuts or almonds for crunch.

FAQs

How To Serve Lemon Pasta

1. Pair this with a side of roasted broccoli, some asparagus or some roasted zucchini.
2. Add a side salad
3. Add a side of crunchy garlic bread.

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