Creamy Lemon Pasta Recipe [easy, no cream, no butter] (2024)

FAQs

How can I thicken pasta without cream? ›

Use Cornstarch

Finally, Arturo says that you can make a cornstarch slurry, which is a mixture of cornstarch and water that should resemble the consistency of heavy cream. "Always make more than you need and use less than you think," he says.

Cheese is an excellent way to add flavor to your pasta without having to rely on sauce. Try mixing your angel hair pasta with goat cheese, and toss in sun-dried tomatoes to make an amazing meal with just a few ingredients. Garlic butter is a terrific way to season all types of noodles.

If the pasta still looks (and tastes) too dry, keep adding the starchy water, a little bit at a time, until the sauce is silky and as creamy as you would like it to be. If the pasta water is well-seasoned, it'll enhance the sauce instead of diluting it. Finally, taste the pasta before serving it.

Thanks to all of its wonderful qualities, butter is the perfect addition to any pasta sauce, especially as a replacement for cream. The reason is that the fat in butter helps to calm the acidity of tomatoes, onions, and any other ingredients you've added.

Whole milk is an excellent substitute for heavy cream. It adds richness to your pasta sauce without the excess fat. Simply simmer your favourite pasta sauce with whole milk until it thickens to your desired consistency. The result is a velvety and indulgent sauce that pairs beautifully with pasta.

Egg Yolks. Egg yolks can be a magical thickener. Whisk some of the thin sauce into an egg yolk in a separate bowl, then whisk the egg yolk mixture back into the sauce over low heat to let it do its thing.

Milk and cornstarch

To replace 1 cup (237 mL) of heavy cream in your recipe, add 2 tablespoons (19 grams) of cornstarch to 1 cup (237 mL) of milk and stir, allowing the mixture to thicken. You can use whole milk or opt for skim milk to help slash the calories and fat content of your recipe.

Adding a cup (or more) of starchy pasta-cooking water is what actually creates the unctuous texture of aglio e olio, bringing together the seasoned oil and the cooking water into an emulsified, creamy sauce. You may be familiar with the term al dente, or “to the tooth,” as a way to describe pasta's ideal doneness.

Recipe Tips

If you don't have double cream, use single cream or crème fraîche instead. Soft cheese, such as cream cheese, can be used as alternative too – it's richer than the cream, so 100g/3½oz should be plenty, along with an extra splash of water.

How to keep your pasta creamy? ›

Cheese and dairy give sauces creaminess while butter and oil give them richness. You also don't need to use a lot — these are just for finishing and rounding out the flavors in a sauce. Whole Milk or Heavy Cream: Add a splash and let the sauce simmer for a few minutes to thicken.

You can easily substitute olive oil for butter in most pasta recipes, especially ones that have lots of fresh vegetables. Choose recipes that are lightly dressed and avoid pastas with rich cream sauces (which require butter).

Milk and Butter

Similarly to half-and-half, milk makes a good heavy cream substitute when it's combined with melted butter. Combine 3/4 cup milk and 1/4 cup melted butter for every cup of heavy cream.

Yes, it is possible to make a cream sauce without butter or flour. There are alternative ingredients such as coconut milk, heavy cream, or nut-based milks that can be used to create a creamy texture. Thickeners such as cornstarch, arrowroot, or potato starch can also be used in place of flour to create a thicker sauce.

Cook It Down

Here's the easiest, though not the quickest, way to thicken your sauce: Just let evaporation do its thing. Adjust the heat so it keeps the sauce at a low simmer, then leave it uncovered to cook, stirring it every 5 minutes or so.

Use two tablespoons flour mixed with ¼ cup cold water for each cup of medium-thick sauce. Thoroughly mix in the water to prevent lumps. After stirring the combined flour and water into the sauce, cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly. Heat one minute more to cook the flour thoroughly.

Whole Milk or Heavy Cream: Add a splash and let the sauce simmer for a few minutes to thicken. Hard Cheeses: A half cup of grated parmesan, pecorino, or other hard cheese adds a deep savory note to the sauce.