You will love this simple one-pan dish if you are a pasta lover.
Fettuccine with lemon mascarpone sauce. This is that recipe that, no matter what, tastes delicious.
It’s one of my favorite recipes that I love to update. Truth be known, I love mascarpone, and I constantly add more to make it creamier and creamier.
Mascarpone is that delightful cheese that not only melts but tends out this fantastic cream.
And then, of course, the French in me kicks in, and here, we are adding more butter. I am incorrigible.
But butter and pasta are just the best combinations.
And then there is lemon. By now, you know how much I love lemon and how often I incorporate it into my cooking.
The mascarpone melts and blends magically with the lemon. A bit of lemon zest and the oils are released in the butter, transcending into this perfect cream.
In this Article
- What is Mascarpone?
- What do you use mascarpone for?
- What is a good substitute for mascarpone?
- How to make this one-pot of fettuccine lemon mascarpone sauce
- Can I enjoy this dish as a main dish?
- What other shape of pasta can I use?
- May I add protein to this dish?
- If you enjoy this dish, check out these flavorful recipes:
- Fettuccine with Lemon Mascarpone Sauce
What is Mascarpone?
A wonderfully soft Italian cheese made with only two ingredients: Heavy cream and citric or tartaric acid.
The heavy cream is heated, and then the acid is added to solidify and thicken the cream and passed thru a cheesecloth to remove any water remnants.
It is a combination between cream and cheese. It has its particular cheese. For me, it is between creme fraiche and ricotta cheese. However, mascarpone is more spreadable than ricotta.
However, a very versatile cheese can be used either for sweets or savory dishes.
If you can find a local cheese producer and enjoy some homemade mascarpone cheese, it will be a true treat for you. So soft and creamy.
What do you use mascarpone for?
You are probably familiar with it as it is one of the main ingredients of the super decadent creamy layer in tiramisu dessert.
It can be added to so many savory dishes which it provides a rich, almost velvety, creamy element to it.
I use it instead of butter in the morning and spread it over my toasted bread or English muffin. A little jam and it is so delicious.
Use it in place of whipping cream with your fresh fruits as a dessert.
You can add it to cakes and muffins. When the use of sour cream is needed, I replace it with mascarpone.
I make some wonderful mascarpone roasted peaches with it as well as veal chops with lemon sage and mascarpone.
And of course pasta dishes.
What is a good substitute for mascarpone?
Creme fraiche is the closest substitute for mascarpone. It is slightly more acidic and with a tangy flavor.
Sour cream is another ingredient that can be used as a substitute.
Cream cheese is blended with heavy cream to give it that softness.
Ricotta cheese, although a bit more grainy.
Some people will also use plain Greek yogurt. They both have that velvety smooth, creamy texture, thus making the yogurt a great substitute.
Philadelphia cheese is a good container. It contains less fat, but it also has a tangier taste to it.
How to make this one-pot of fettuccine lemon mascarpone sauce
This is the easiest recipe ever.
- Cook the pasta al dente, meaning to the bite. This is usually a couple of minutes before the manufacturer’s recommended cooking time.
- While the pasta is cooking, zest the lemon and set aside.
- Before draining the pasta, reserve at least a cup of the cooking pasta water. The cooking water has all the starch from the pasta. This starch is excellent to use if the pasta gets dry when mixing it with the sauce.
- Have your mascarpone at room temperature.
- Drain the pasta and put the pasta back into the pan you just drained it from.
- Place it back on the burner but do not turn the heat back on.
- Add the butter, mascarpone, and juice from half of the lemon and half of the lemon zest.
- Mix well, and if dry, add more of the cooking water. It will look and feel creamy.
- Serve on your pasta dishes and sprinkle the remaining lemon zest equally over each plate.
Can I enjoy this dish as a main dish?
Yes, you can. This recipe is based on four adult servings. Add a bit more pasta if you are hungry.
What other shape of pasta can I use?
Linguine and spaghetti are great substitutes.
Angel hair pasta is excellent with it. It cooks faster; thus, remember to remove it from the cooking water a bit early.
Make more sauce, as angel hair pasta tends to absorb more sauce.
May I add protein to this dish?
Absolutely! Lemon salmon is one of my favorites as it stays in the same lemon feel.
A great dish that is paired well with chicken or fish.
On the lighter side, a simple green salad with a lemon vinaigrette is all you need for a quick dinner.
I would, however, not recommend mixing the salmon and chicken with the pasta. The salmon will flake away. The chicken will make the lemon sauce dry.
Serve them alongside.
If you enjoy this dish, check out these flavorful recipes:
Mascarpone Tortellini – A Prefect Fall dinner
Enjoy this super easy lemon mascarpone pasta, a 15-minute recipe.
And if you are like me, I know from this day forward, mascarpone cheese will have a spot in your refrigerator.
Equipment used to create this recipe
Fettuccine with Lemon Mascarpone Sauce
Ingredients
Instructions
- Cook the fettuccine according to package instructions. When done al dente, reserve 1 cup of the cooking pasta water, drain the pasta and put the pasta back in the pan.
- Add the butter, add the lemon juice, half of the lemon zest, and mascarpone. Mix well and adjust the mascarpone or lemon to your liking. If dry add some of the cooking water.
- Serve on pasta dishes and sprinkle the remainder of the lemon zest
Nutrition
Giangi’s Kitchen provides nutritional information, but these figures should be considered estimates, as a registered dietician does not calculate them.
- Course: Pasta, Rice & Grains, Dinners
- Cuisine: Italian
- Season: Spring
- Type: Under 45 minutes
Did you make this?
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This recipe was first published in July 2011, updated on June 5, 2022.
Kathy
Is that juice of half a lemon? Or 1/2 cup lemon juice ? Please advise. This sounds delicious…cant wait to try it. Thank you!
Giangi Townsend
Thank you for bringing up to my attention, it is the juice of a half lemon.
Andrea
loveeee how this sauce turned out! so zesty and perfect for the fettuccine! yum!
Cindy Mom the Lunch Lady
This sauce was velvety and luscious! The perfect amount of lemon to brighten up the dish!
Sean
This was such a flavorful and easy dish. I had it with some chicken and zucchini and it was a perfect side.
Giangi Townsend
Wonderful! I am so happy you enjoy it.
Thank you for your feedback.
Shelby
So rich and so delicious, lemon is so refreshing!
Giangi Townsend
Thank you for your feedback, I love lemon as it brings a refreshing feel to most food.
nancy
hey that lemon mascarpone sauce was perfect!! light and bright yet super creamy!! we all cleaned house!
Giangi Townsend
That is fantastic! Thank you for making my recipe and thank you for your feedback.
Sherry
I love mascarpone cheese so when I came across your recipe, I had to try it. The lemon in this pasta recipe took it to another level and added so much extra flavor. Thanks for a great recipe!!
Giangi Townsend
The pleasure is all mine and I am so happy you enjoyed it.
Thank you for stopping by my little corner of the world.
Kat
So perfect for some leftover mascarpone I had to use, and what a divine way to enjoy it!
Giangi Townsend
Thank you! I am so happy you enjoyed it.
Elizabeth S
I have been making Fettuccine the wrong way my whole life. You are a genius! The mascarpone was the perfect creamy base. I will definitely make this again. I am thinking of adding a pinch of red pepper flakes next time (I love me some heat)!
Giangi Townsend
The red peppers will sure spice up things and if you like heat the combination of the two, is like no other.
Enjoy!
Claire
I just LOVED this pasta!!!
It had just the right amount of lemon and the mascarpone made it soooo creamy.
We served it as a side to some Lemon Pepper Pork chops and it was perfect!
And so easy!
Giangi Townsend
Thank you, and so happy you enjoyed it.
Addison
The lemon flavor was outstanding! This pasta dish was so easy but incredibly flavorful.
Giangi Townsend
Thank you and so pleased you enjoyed it.
Bella
We just loved the Lemon Mascarpone Sauce on the pasta. It was so easy to make and I will be making it again soon!
Giangi Townsend
Thank you!
Kelli Miller
The creamy and tangy sauce perfectly complemented the al dente pasta, creating a truly delightful dining experience.
What impressed me most was the simplicity of the recipe – just a few high-quality ingredients, including mascarpone cheese, lemon juice, butter, and parmesan cheese – that came together to create a dish that was both elegant and comforting.
Another thing I loved about this dish was its versatility. It can be served as a main course, or as a side dish alongside grilled chicken, fish, or vegetables. It’s also a great choice for a dinner party or special occasion meal, as it’s sure to impress even the most discerning of palates.
Overall, I would highly recommend giving Fettuccine with Lemon Mascarpone Sauce a try. It’s a simple yet sophisticated dish that’s sure to become a staple in any pasta lover’s recipe collection.
Giangi Townsend
Thank you, Kelli, for your kind words and feedback. I appreciate it so ever much.
I am glad you enjoyed this recipe.
Thank you!