The Best Lemon Pepper Pasta Recipes

CREAMY LEMON PEPPER SAUCE

Steps:

• Melt butter in a large pan/skillet.
• Add garlic and allow to saute gently for 30 seconds until fragrant.
• Pour in the cream and lemon juice then add the pepper.
• Allow to come to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes until the sauce coats the back of a spoon.
• Remove from the heat and stir in the Parmesan and the parsley.
• Season to taste then add the cooked pasta.
• Toss with the reserved pasta water until the pasta is coated and creamy.
• Serve with Parmesan cheese and freshly cracked pepper.

LEMON PEPPER PASTA

Steps:

• ​Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add 2 tablespoons of salt and the linguine. Stir the pasta frequently for the first few minutes of cooking time. Cook the pasta to package directions for al dente.
• While the pasta cooks: Heat a skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil and the butter. Heat until the butter is melted and foamy.
• Lower the heat to medium-low and add the garlic. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
• Lower the heat to low and add the lemon juice, lemon zest, ¼ teaspoon of salt and the fresh ground pepper to the skillet. Stir to combine the ingredients well and cook gently for another minute or two.
• Remove the skillet from the heat and set aside until the pasta is done and drained.
• Before draining the pasta, reserve about ¼ cup of the pasta cooking water.
• Drain the pasta completely, and return it to the pot. Toss the pasta with the lemon sauce, reserved cooking water and the parsley.
• Serve the lemon pepper pasta with extra black pepper and Parmesan cheese.

LEMON PEPPER TENDERLOIN PASTA

Steps:

• For the lemon pepper seasoning: Mix the lemon zest, pepper, salt, garlic powder, mustard powder and onion powder in a bowl. Set aside.
• For the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the bucatini and cook for 1 to 2 minutes under the recommended time. Reserve 2 cups of the pasta water. Drain the pasta and set aside.
• Heat the olive oil and 2 tablespoons of the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the tenderloin with 1 tablespoon of the lemon pepper seasoning. Add the steak to the skillet and cook, stirring as needed, until desired doneness, 4 to 5 minutes for medium rare. Remove to a plate and return the skillet to the heat.
• Add 1 1/2 cups of the reserved pasta water to the skillet. Add the remaining lemon pepper seasoning, the pasta and remaining 6 tablespoons butter to the skillet. Stir to combine and let the pasta start to simmer. Begin adding the Parmesan a handful at a time, tossing the pasta with each addition. Remove from the heat and continue to toss the pasta until well coated, thinning with the extra pasta water if needed. Divide the pasta into bowls. Top with the steak and garnish with the parsley. Serve with more Parmesan on the side.

LEMONY CACIO E PEPE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti al dente according to package directions. Reserve 2 cups of pasta water and drain.
• Add 4 tablespoons of the butter to a large, straight-sided pan and heat over medium. Once melted, add the pepper and toast for about 1 minute and 30 seconds. Add in about 1 1/4 cups of the reserved pasta water and the lemon zest, bring to a light simmer. Turn the heat down to medium-low and add the cooked spaghetti, Pecorino Romano, Parmigiano-Reggiano and the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Using tongs or two wooden spoons, toss the pasta and cheese together, incorporating about 1/2 additional cup more pasta water. Keep tossing the pasta until the cheese has completely melted and the sauce is silky and coating the pasta, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the lemon juice and chives and toss to combine. Serve immediately, topped with extra Pecorino Romano and black pepper.

LEMON-PEPPER CORN PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Drop the pasta into the water and cook according to package directions, drain, reserving some of the pasta water. Toss the pasta with a splash of oil and set aside.
• Meanwhile, remove the kernels from the corn with a sharp knife. Hold the shaved cobs over a bowl and scrape with the back of the knife to extract the milk, set aside. Discard the cobs.
• Melt the butter in a large skillet, add the corn kernels, garlic, peppers and turmeric. Cook, stirring, until the vegetables are tender, about 6 minutes. Add the corn milk, 2-percent milk, 3 tablespoons of the Parmesan, 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer, cook until slightly thickened (like the consistency of heavy cream), about 5 minutes.
• Add the cooked pasta, lemon zest and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Gently toss the pasta in the sauce (thin out with reserved pasta water if desired). Divide among four bowls. Sprinkle each with the remaining 1 tablespoon Parmesan and some black pepper. Serve with lemon wedges.

LEMON-PEPPER FETTUCCINE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fettuccine and cook as the label directs. Drain, reserving about 1/2 cup cooking water.
• Meanwhile, melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the shallot and a pinch of salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly golden, about 3 minutes. Whisk the cream, egg yolk and lemon zest in a bowl. Reduce the heat to low and add the cream mixture and cheese to the skillet. Cook, whisking, until slightly thickened, about 2 minutes. Season with salt and 2 to 3 teaspoons pepper.
• Add the pasta to the skillet and toss, adding enough of the reserved cooking water to loosen the sauce. Divide among bowls and garnish with more pecorino. Serve with crusty bread, if desired.

PEPPERONI PASTA WITH LEMON AND GARLIC

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook, according to package directions, until about 2 minutes shy of al dente so that the pasta can finish cooking in the sauce. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
• While the pasta is cooking, in a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat oil over medium. Add pepperoni and cook, stirring occasionally, until crisped and brown, 3 to 4 minutes.
• If the pan looks dry, drizzle in a little more oil. Add garlic, fennel seeds, red-pepper flakes (if using) and a large pinch of salt, and cook until garlic is lightly golden, 2 to 3 minutes. Add tomato paste and cook until it darkens, about 1 minute.
• Add the drained pasta, lemon zest and 3/4 cup of the reserved pasta water to the skillet. Stir until the pasta is al dente and well coated with the sauce. Add more pasta water, if needed, until the sauce is glossy and the pasta is cooked to taste.
• Cut the zested lemon in half and squeeze some juice into the pasta. Stir in herbs and taste, adding more lemon juice and salt, if needed. Cut the remaining half lemon into wedges and serve it alongside the pasta, which should be garnished with more herbs and a drizzle of oil, and sprinkled with Parmesan, if you like.

PEPPER & LEMON SPAGHETTI WITH BASIL & PINE NUTS

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large non-stick frying pan. Add the pepper and cook for 5 mins. Meanwhile, cook the pasta for 10-12 mins until tender.
• Add the courgette and garlic to the pepper and cook, stirring very frequently, for 10-15 mins until the courgette is really soft.
• Stir in the lemon zest and juice, basil and spaghetti (reserve some pasta water) and toss together, adding a little of the pasta water until nicely coated. Add the pine nuts, then spoon into bowls and serve topped with the parmesan, if using.

LEMON PEPPER PASTA

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine the milk, cheese and salt; cook and stir over medium-low heat until cheese is melted. Drain pasta; add cheese sauce and toss to coat. Keep warm., In a nonstick skillet, saute peppers in oil for 5 minutes or until crisp-tender. Sprinkle with lemon zest and pepper; mix well. Toss with pasta mixture.