By Becky Hardin
Updated Jan 25, 2026
Ready to serve in less than 30 minutes, I find this creamy lemon asparagus pasta is a tasty and easy weeknight dinner my whole family loves. When I’m craving a vegetarian pasta, this recipe is the perfect balance of fresh and flavorful, and at the same time, creamy and comforting.
Easy Lemon Asparagus Pasta Recipe
I’m always looking for ways to change up our pasta night, and come spring, when asparagus is in season, I find this lemon asparagus pasta recipe fits the bill. The from-scratch cream sauce is flavored with garlic and fresh lemon juice, while the asparagus adds a wonderful texture.
Though it tastes great as is, if I want to add protein to this pasta recipe, I’ll mix in shredded chicken . Or, if we have vegan guests at the table, I’ll use cashew cream, which works great in place of the heavy cream. If you can’t find fresh asparagus, use the same amount of chopped fresh broccoli, or any combination of your favorite green vegetables like spinach, kale, arugula, peas, etc.
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 1 lb. dry pasta (1 box) choose your favorite
- ▢ 1 tbsp unsalted butter (⅛ stick)
- ▢ 1 tbsp olive oil
- ▢ 1 lb. asparagus sliced into thirds
- ▢ 3 cloves garlic minced
- ▢ ½ cup heavy cream you can use half-and-half or whole milk, but the sauce will be less creamy
- ▢ 1 lemon* juiced, fresh is best
- ▢ ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- ▢ ½ tsp kosher salt
- ▢ ½ tsp ground black pepper
For Serving (Optional)
- ▢ freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ▢ fresh parsley
- ▢ lemon wedges
Video
Instructions
- Boil 6 cups of water in a large pot set over high heat and salt generously. Add the pasta and cook according to the package until al dente. 1 lb. dry pasta
- While the pasta cooks, heat the butter and olive oil together in a large skillet set over medium-high heat. Add the asparagus and garlic. Stir and cook until the asparagus starts to soften, about 3 minutes. 1 tbsp unsalted butter, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 lb. asparagus, 3 cloves garlic
- Pour in one cup of the pasta water. Add the heavy cream, lemon juice, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper and let it cook down until the pasta is ready. ½ cup heavy cream, 1 lemon*, ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes, ½ tsp kosher salt, ½ tsp ground black pepper
- Drain the pasta and add it to the skillet. Toss to combine and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Serve with fresh parsley and lemon wedges. freshly grated Parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, lemon wedges
Becky’s Tips
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Lemon Asparagus Pasta Step by Step
Cook the pasta : Boil 6 cups salted water in a large pot set over high heat. Add 1 lb. pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente.
Soften the asparagus: While the pasta is cooking, heat 1 tbsp butter and 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet set over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb. asparagus and 3 cloves garlic. Stir for about 3 minutes until the asparagus starts to soften.
Add the sauce ingredients : Pour one cup of the pasta water into the skillet with the asparagus. Add ½ cup heavy cream, 1 lemon, ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes, ½ tsp kosher salt, and ½ tsp ground black pepper. Let the sauce simmer and cook down until the pasta is ready.
Combine the pasta and sauce: Drain the pasta, add it to the skillet, and toss to combine.
Garnish and serve: Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Serve with fresh parsley and lemon wedges and enjoy.
How to Store
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat over the stove or in the microwave. You may need to add a little cream to loosen up the sauce as it will thicken once refrigerated.
Because it contains dairy, this pasta dish shouldn’t be frozen as the texture can change quite considerably.
Serving Suggestions
I love serving this lemon and asparagus pasta with a fresh kale salad or a homemade Caesar salad . Though there are veggies in the sauce, I’ll often prepare a side of sauteed mushrooms and make some homemade garlic bread .
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Lemon Asparagus Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb. dry pasta (1 box) choose your favorite
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter (⅛ stick)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb. asparagus sliced into thirds
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- ½ cup heavy cream you can use half-and-half or whole milk, but the sauce will be less creamy
- 1 lemon* juiced, fresh is best
- ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
For Serving (Optional)
- freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- fresh parsley
- lemon wedges
Instructions
- Boil 6 cups of water in a large pot set over high heat and salt generously. Add the pasta and cook according to the package until al dente. 1 lb. dry pasta
- While the pasta cooks, heat the butter and olive oil together in a large skillet set over medium-high heat. Add the asparagus and garlic. Stir and cook until the asparagus starts to soften, about 3 minutes. 1 tbsp unsalted butter, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 lb. asparagus, 3 cloves garlic
- Pour in one cup of the pasta water. Add the heavy cream, lemon juice, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper and let it cook down until the pasta is ready. ½ cup heavy cream, 1 lemon*, ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes, ½ tsp kosher salt, ½ tsp ground black pepper
- Drain the pasta and add it to the skillet. Toss to combine and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Serve with fresh parsley and lemon wedges. freshly grated Parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, lemon wedges
Video
Notes
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
