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Fresh Creamy Lemon Herb Pasta Recipe Without Heavy Cream Easy and Delicious

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A bright, vibrant creamy pasta made without heavy cream, using Greek yogurt and fresh herbs for a light yet indulgent meal that’s quick and easy to prepare.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces linguine or fettuccine pasta
  • ½ cup plain full-fat Greek yogurt
  • Juice of 1 large lemon (about 3 tablespoons)
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • ¼ cup vegetable or chicken broth (or water as substitute)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining. Drain pasta and set aside.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together ½ cup Greek yogurt, lemon juice and zest, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Set aside.
  3. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
  4. Pour in ¼ cup vegetable or chicken broth to the skillet. Let simmer for a minute to reduce slightly and meld with garlic aroma.
  5. Lower heat to medium-low. Add drained pasta to the skillet and toss gently to coat. Remove skillet from heat. Stir in the yogurt-lemon mixture until pasta is evenly coated. Add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time if sauce is too thick, until silky and creamy.
  6. Stir in chopped parsley, basil, chives, and Parmesan cheese if using. Mix gently to combine.
  7. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or lemon juice as needed. Serve immediately.

Notes

Avoid reheating aggressively to prevent yogurt sauce from separating. Reheat gently on stovetop with a splash of broth or water. Use fresh herbs for best flavor. Reserve pasta water to loosen sauce as needed. For vegan version, substitute Greek yogurt with coconut yogurt and omit Parmesan or use vegan cheese.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon herb pasta, creamy pasta without heavy cream, Greek yogurt pasta, quick pasta recipe, easy weeknight dinner, light creamy pasta

Find it online: https://blairrecipes.com/fresh-creamy-lemon-herb-pasta-recipe-without-heavy-cream-easy-and-delicious/