Creamy Lemon Feta Pasta: Bright, Tangy, and Comforting

If you love pasta dishes that taste fresh, comforting, and luxurious all at once, Creamy Lemon Feta Pasta is about to become one of your new favorites. This recipe is vibrant, silky, and packed with Mediterranean flair — the perfect balance of tangy lemon, salty feta, aromatic garlic, and smooth creaminess that coats every noodle beautifully.

This pasta feels gourmet but comes together in under 20 minutes, making it a dream for weeknights. It’s the kind of dish that tastes like sunshine: bright, refreshing, and deeply satisfying without being heavy. The lemon brings zing, the feta adds a savory brininess, and the cream ties everything into a velvety sauce that clings perfectly to pasta.

Whether you’re feeding the family, cooking for friends, or craving something cozy and flavorful, this dish is an ideal go-to. It’s simple, fresh, and totally addictive.

Why You’ll Love This Creamy Lemon Feta Pasta

1. Big Flavor, Minimal Effort

The sauce comes together in minutes with only a handful of ingredients.

2. Ultra-Creamy Without Being Heavy

The combination of feta, cream (or Greek yogurt), pasta water, and lemon makes a light, silky sauce.

3. Perfect for Weeknights

This is one of those “dinner in 20 minutes” champions.

4. Bright, Fresh Mediterranean Vibes

Lemon, herbs, feta — clean flavors that never get old.

5. Fully Customizable

Add veggies, proteins, or extra spice to make it your own.

Ingredients

For the Pasta

• 12 oz pasta (penne, spaghetti, fusilli, or bucatini)
• Salt for boiling water

For the Creamy Lemon Feta Sauce

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream (or ¾ cup Greek yogurt for a lighter version)
• 1 cup crumbled feta
• Zest of 1 lemon
• Juice of 1 large lemon
• ½ cup reserved pasta water
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ¼ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
• Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes

For Garnish

• Extra feta
• Fresh parsley or basil
• Lemon zest

Instructions

Cook the Pasta

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
2. Add pasta and cook according to package directions.
3. Reserve ½ cup pasta water.
4. Drain pasta and set aside.

Make the Lemon Feta Sauce

1. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.
2. Add garlic and sauté 30–45 seconds until fragrant.
3. Stir in cream and bring to a gentle simmer.
4. Add feta and stir until melted and combined.
5. Add lemon zest and lemon juice.
6. Pour in a splash of pasta water to thin the sauce and make it silky.
7. Season with pepper, salt, and optional red pepper flakes.

Combine

1. Add cooked pasta directly into the sauce.
2. Toss until every noodle is coated.
3. Add more pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
4. Taste and adjust lemon or seasoning as desired.

Serve

1. Plate the pasta.
2. Top with extra feta, fresh herbs, and lemon zest.
3. Serve immediately.

Creamy Lemon Feta Pasta

A bright, tangy, and ultra-creamy pasta dish made with lemon, feta, garlic, and a silky sauce that comes together in minutes.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American, Mediterranean

Calories: 480

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Pasta

• 12 oz pasta

Lemon Feta Sauce

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup feta cheese crumbled
• 1 lemon zest and juice
• 0.5 cup reserved pasta water
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 0.25 tsp salt

Optional

• red pepper flakes optional

Equipment

• Large pot
• Skillet
• Measuring cups
• Zester

Method

 

1. Boil salted water and cook pasta until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water and drain.
2. In a skillet, heat olive oil and sauté garlic until fragrant.
3. Add cream and bring to a gentle simmer.
4. Stir in feta until melted and smooth.
5. Add lemon zest and juice, stirring to combine.
6. Pour in pasta water to thin the sauce to desired consistency.
7. Add pasta and toss to coat evenly.
8. Season with pepper, salt, and optional red pepper flakes. Serve topped with extra feta and herbs.

Notes

For a lighter version, use Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream. Add veggies like spinach or cherry tomatoes for variation.

Tips for the BEST Creamy Lemon Feta Pasta

Use real lemon — not bottled juice

Fresh lemon gives cleaner, brighter flavor.

Reserve pasta water

It makes the sauce silky, helps it cling to noodles, and prevents clumping.

Let the feta fully melt

This creates a smoother sauce.

Add lemon gradually

Start with half the juice, then adjust to your taste. Some lemons are stronger than others.

Want it lighter?

Use Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream for a more tangy, protein-rich version.

Add-In Ideas (Make It Your Own)

Vegetables

• Spinach
• Roasted zucchini
• Cherry tomatoes
• Artichoke hearts
• Broccoli

Proteins

• Grilled chicken
• Shrimp
• Salmon
• Crispy chickpeas

Flavor Boosters

• Capers
• Kalamata olives
• Parmesan cheese
• Red pepper flakes

Serving Suggestions

• Serve with a simple green salad for a balanced meal
• Pair with garlic bread or toasted sourdough
• Add grilled chicken on top for extra protein
• Great warm, room temperature, or slightly chilled

Why This Pasta Works Every Time

The secret is in the combination of salty, tangy, creamy, and bright flavors:

• Feta brings salty creaminess
• Lemon cuts through the richness
• Garlic adds aromatic warmth
• Pasta water binds everything into a velvety sauce

It’s foolproof and always delicious.