Vegan Creamy Lemon Pasta

By Rena Awada | Updated On February 19, 2023

This easy-to-make Lemon Pasta is creamy vegan-friendly and packed with flavor. Made with simple pantry-staple ingredients, it is ready to serve in just under 30 minutes. Serve as your main meal or as a side dish.

tong grabbing pasta from an orange skillet


If you are on a vegan diet, you can still enjoy a creamy and delicious pasta dish without any guilt. This simple vegan pasta recipe is made with coconut cream, lemon, and olive oil instead of butter, garlic, salt, and pepper. It is the perfect side dish that can be paired with just any protein. In just 30 minutes and a few steps, you can have this tasty creamy lemon pasta ready to serve your family.

Why you will love this creamy pasta

  • No heavy cream: instead of heavy cream, we use coconut cream which is a healthier alternative and also vegan-friendly at the same time.
  • Made without butter: for a vegan option, we used olive oil instead of butter. As a healthier alternative, olive oil or avocado oil is a great option for pasta. No need for butter.
  • Easy to make: With just a handful of ingredients, this vegan lemon pasta is ready in just under 30 minutes.
  • Simple and delicious: This pasta dish is packed with all the right flavors and is just a simple dish to make to serve your family as the main meal or side dish.
side shot of creamy pasta in a skillet with lemon wedges on the right side

Ingredients you will need to make this recipe

  • 12 oz linguine or spaghetti: this is the main ingredient. For a healthier option, use whole-wheat pasta, chickpea, or lentil pasta.
  • Oil: we used olive oil, but you can also use avocado oil.
  • Fresh Garlic: we prefer that you use fresh garlic instead of garlic powder for the best flavor. But if it means you have to make a trip to the store, then use 1 tablespoon of garlic powder.
  • Lemon and lemon zest: try to use fresh lemons and not bottled lemon juice for the best flavor.
  • Coconut cream: This is what you get in the cans, do not try to use coconut milk.
  • Salt and pepper: adjust this to taste.
  • Chopped parsley: This is used to garnish. So if you don’t have any you may just skip it.
ingredients to make the lemon pasta

How to make this creamy lemon pasta

  • Cook the pasta in salted water according to the package directions.
  • Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and saute for 1 minute.
  • Add in the lemon zest, juice, and coconut cream. Allow the sauce to simmer for a minute, then season with salt and pepper to your taste.
coconut cream added to the garlic and oil mix
  • Add the cooked pasta and toss to coat with the sauce.
  • Garnish with chopped parsley and serve immediately.
top view of creamy spaghetti in an orange skillet

Recipe notes and tips

  • To keep this recipe vegan, you may use vegan butter and vegan cream cheese.
  • For non-vegans, if you do not have coconut cream, you may use cream cheese. Mix in the cream cheese with a little pasta water.
  • For a healthier option, you can use wheat pasta, lentil pasta, or chickpea pasta.
  • Use fresh garlic and fresh lemon if possible for the best flavor.
  • For non-vegans, consider serving with sliced grilled chicken for a one-pan meal option.
  • If you prefer butter with your pasta, use non-vegan butter or your butter of choice for those who arent counting macros.
  • Store leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
top view of pasta in a skillet with lemon slices

frequently asked questions

Why do people add lemon to pasta?

Lemon is a flavor enhancer and gives the dish that perfect flavor without adding a whole lot of other ingredients to add on the calories. Lemon is acidic and gives the pasta a nice savory taste.

How can I make my pasta more flavorful?

There are many other ingredients you can add to your pasta to make it more flavorful if you feel like the pasta you are making will be bland. Consider adding things like sauteed mushrooms, caramelized onions, garlic, lemon, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh herbs, or some chilis.

What is the secret to good pasta?

Not everyone can cook great pasta, or so we think. What’s the secret? Do not overcook the pasta. It is always best to cook your pasta al-dente because it will continue to cook even after you remove it from the boiling water. Do wait for the water to boil before adding the pasta, and don’t forget to add some salt to the pasta water.

close up image of pasta in a skillet with lemon wedges

more Pasta recipes you may like

tong grabbing lemon pasta from skillet

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top view of pasta in a skillet with lemon slices

Vegan Creamy Lemon Pasta

Simple and easy vegan pasta made with coconut cream, olive oil, lemon, garlic, salt, and pepper. Ready in just 20 minutes.
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Diet: Gluten Free
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 788kcal
Author: Rena

Ingredients

  • 12 oz linguine or spaghetti
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 4-6 garlic cloves chopped
  • 1 tbsp lemon zest
  • 2 large lemons juiced
  • 14 oz coconut cream one can
  • Kosher salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/4 cup chopped parsley

Instructions

  • Cook the pasta in salted water according to the package directions.
  • Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and saute for 1 minute. Add in the lemon zest, juice, and coconut cream. Allow the sauce to simmer for a minute, then season with salt and pepper to your taste.
  • Add the cooked pasta and toss to coat with the sauce.
  • Garnish with chopped parsley and serve immediately.

Notes

  • use fresh lemon and fresh garlic for the best flavor.
  • you may use avocado oil in place of olive oil.
  • this pasta is made vegan by using coconut cream (in a can). For a non-vegan option, you may use cream cheese or half and half.
  • for ane even healthier version, use chickpea or lentil pasta.

Nutrition

Calories: 788kcal | Carbohydrates: 77g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 49g | Saturated Fat: 33g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Sodium: 599mg | Potassium: 646mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 43IU | Vitamin C: 36mg | Calcium: 68mg | Iron: 4mg
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