Classic fettuccine alfredo gets a bright and herbaceous makeover, thanks to Meyer lemons and rosemary, in this super simple, wonderfully creamy pasta dish.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been a lemon lover which became even more intense after living in sunny California with the Meyer lemon tree I planted in my yard. Still today, I’ll choose Meyer lemons over regular lemons and try to keep them stocked in my fridge. Meyer lemons are in a league of their own. Meyer lemons are significantly sweeter and deliver half the pucker power as their grocery store relations, more of a cross between a mandarin orange and a lemon. They’re smaller and more round, with a smooth, thin rind and hardly any pith. They’re the star of the show in my lemon bars recipe, and edible sunshine in my favorite arugula salad, hearty dinners like my saucy chicken and mushrooms, or my favorite lemon chicken stew.
This lemony spin on fettuccine alfredo also has L.A. roots, where years ago I savored a version called Tagliolini al Limone at a restaurant called Angelini Osteria. With only 6 ingredients the lush communion of lemon, cream, rosemary, and Parmesan cheese enveloping al denté pasta is sublimely simple yet absolutely magical.
What’s in Lemon Fettuccine Alfredo
This luscious, lemony pasta only has 6 ingredients (not including salt and pepper). Here’s what you’ll need:
- Fettuccine—you could also use another long, wide type of pasta like tagliatelle or pappardelle
- Cream—you could use half and half, but I don’t recommend using milk, as the sauce won’t be nearly as creamy
- Butter
- Fresh rosemary—thyme or basil would also be delish
- Meyer lemon—you’ll use the zest and the juice
- Parmesan cheese —make sure you grate it fresh for the most flavor
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
How to Make Lemon Fettuccine Alfredo
This lemon fettuccine alfredo recipe is so simple to make. Here’s how:
Al denté is the only way. This is my pasta philosophy forever and always, but it’s especially important in this recipe, because the pasta will continue to cook a bit in the sauce, releasing gluten to thicken the sauce. Cooking the pasta beyond that will definitely ensure it overcooks in the sauce, resulting in too thick and gloopy a texture. No one wants mushy pasta or gloopy sauce.
While the pasta cooks, make your sauce. Pour the cream into a large skillet with the butter and lemon juice. Turn the heat to medium-high and cook until the butter melts and bubbles form. Stir to combine, add the minced rosemary, and reduce heat to a simmer.
Sauce Those Noodles
Drain, toss, season, repeat. Drain the noodles, but do not rinse (you want all that starchy goodness for your sauce!). Remove the cream sauce from the heat and add the noodles to the pan, tossing to coat the pasta thoroughly. Add the parmesan cheese, lemon zest, kosher salt, and pepper to the cream and toss again.
Thicken and serve. Place the pan back on the burner over low heat and toss until the sauce thickens, about 1-2 minutes. Serve with more Parmesan cheese and more fresh zest of lemon.
PRO TIP: If you find that your sauce is too thick, simply add a dash more cream or more reserved pasta water.
What is Special About Meyer Lemons?
Meyer lemons were first introduced to the United States via China, in the early 20th century. Meyer lemons are sweeter, more fragrant, and less acidic than regular lemons, and also boast lovely floral notes. One of the things that makes them so special is they aren’t as easy to find—often only in season December-May.
How to Plate Pasta
The traditional way to plate pasta takes two kitchen utensils: A long-tined fork or tongs and a ladle. Gather a batch of noodles with the fork or tongs then twist in the ladle to form a nest then transfer to a plate. Wa-la! Pasta like a pro!
What to Serve with Lemon Fettuccine Alfredo
- THE BEST Kale Salad with Parmesan and Pine Nuts
- Arugula Salad with Shaved Parmesan
- The Best Baked Chicken Breast
- Caesar Salad with Garlic Croutons
- THE BEST Grilled Salmon
If you make this recipe, please let me know! Leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating on this recipe below and leave a comment, take a photo and tag me on Instagram with #foodiecrusheats.
Lemon Fettuccine Alfredo
Ingredients
- 1 pound fettuccine
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- 8 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary leaves , minced
- ¼ cup Meyer lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon zest of Meyer lemon
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil and generously salt. cook fettuccine according to package directions until al denté. Take care not to cook the pasta any longer, as it will continue to cook more once you add it to the sauce.
- Meanwhile, pour the cream into a large skillet with the butter and lemon juice. Turn the heat to medium-high and cook until the butter melts and bubbles form. Stir to combine, add the minced rosemary, and reduce heat to a simmer.
- When the noodles are done cooking, drain them in a colander but do not rinse. Remove the cream sauce from the heat and add the noodles to the pan, tossing to coat the noodley strands thoroughly. Add the parmesan cheese, lemon zest, kosher salt, and pepper to the cream and toss again. Place back on the burner over low heat and toss until the sauce thickens, about 1-2 minutes. Serve with more Parmesan cheese and more fresh zest of lemon.
Notes
Nutrition
More Creamy Pastas You’ll Love
- Creamy Lemon Pasta with Ham and Peas
- Spaghetti alla Carbonara
- 5-Ingredient Cacio e Pepe
- Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo (or Stovetop)
- Creamy Asparagus & Salmon Pasta
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Angelina C
dish is simple and flavorful. thanks!
Glad you enjoyed!
Kathryn
A keeper! Really tasty, added chicken for some protein, and used regular lemons!
Sounds delicious Kathryn!
Becky
I was lucky enough to score a Meyer lemon and made this fettuccine – absolutely delicious!
Loretta | A Finn In The Kitchen
How amazing it must be to have a lemon tree! Or any citrus, really, for that matter. I still haven’t even seen a Meyer lemon, much less tried one. One the bucket list it goes!
Cookie and Kate
I don’t know if I’ll ever live in California, but walking into my backyard to grab fresh lemons from a tree sounds so dreamy. Love fresh pasta dishes like this one, too.
Bev @ Bev Cooks
When bloggers give you lemons . . . HAR HAR.
Seriously, I want to inhale it all.
Jenna
I love lemon! These recipes look awesome.
kelley
Last winter we rented a house in SoCal that had a meyer lemon tree in the backyard. I brought 20+ home in my suitcase :) Can’t beat that climate, that’s for sure. But the traffic? No thank you. Pasta is gorgeous!