Description
This Creamy Lemon Feta Pasta recipe combines simple ingredients to create a luscious, tangy pasta dish perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. Featuring a rich sauce made from feta cheese, heavy cream, fresh lemon juice and zest, and a hint of garlic, it’s a satisfying meal that’s both comforting and full of bright Mediterranean flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz (340g) pasta (such as penne or spaghetti)
Sauce
- 1 cup (150g) crumbled feta cheese
- 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
- 1/2 cup (120ml) reserved pasta water
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup (25g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- Lemon slices for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining. Set the pasta aside.
- Sauté Garlic: In a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil and minced garlic. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, making sure the garlic does not brown.
- Make the Sauce Base: Stir in the heavy cream, lemon zest, lemon juice, and crushed red pepper flakes. Let the mixture simmer gently for 3-4 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Add Feta Cheese: Lower the heat and gradually add the crumbled feta cheese while stirring continuously. Continue to stir until the feta melts completely and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss well to combine with the sauce. Slowly add reserved pasta water a little at a time to adjust the sauce to your preferred consistency.
- Season: Taste and season the pasta with salt and pepper as desired.
- Finish the Dish: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until fully incorporated, then fold in the chopped fresh parsley for a burst of color and freshness.
- Serve: Transfer the pasta to serving plates and garnish with additional lemon slices and extra crumbled feta cheese if desired for a beautiful presentation.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or evaporated milk, but the sauce will be less rich.
- Reserve pasta water is key to adjusting the sauce consistency and helping the sauce cling to the pasta.
- If you prefer less tangy flavor, reduce the lemon juice slightly.
- Use gluten-free pasta to make this recipe gluten free.
- The crushed red pepper flakes are optional and can be omitted or adjusted for spice preference.
- Fresh parsley can be substituted with basil or oregano for a different herbaceous note.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Keywords: lemon feta pasta, creamy pasta recipe, Mediterranean pasta, easy pasta dinner, feta cheese pasta
