This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Fragrant garlic, mushrooms, onions, and tomatoes are sauteed in butter and then tossed with fresh lemon juice and tender pasta to create the Lemon Butter Pasta of which dreams are made.
And before the mushroom haters comment, yes, you can skip them. However, they really are delicious in this recipe, I recommend giving them a chance before ruling them out!
Lemon Butter Pasta
I’ve been making this pasta for company, for myself, for family and friends for almost 25 years now. This is the first recipe I think of when I am craving pasta.
My husband enjoys this with some grilled chicken added to it, but I’m quite happy with this pasta alone most of the time.
When we were first married, I often made this pasta just for myself on weekends when Sean was out of town.
Lemon Butter Pasta Recipe
Lemon, butter, and garlic are an awesome combination in pretty much any recipe, aren’t they? They truly shine in this sauce along with the mushrooms and tomatoes.
This lemony sauce coats the thin angel hair pasta perfectly and it’s a terrific match for Last Minute Chicken or Crispy Oven Baked Chicken. Chicken is my go-to option with this pasta.
However, Garlic Butter Steak Bites or Pine Nut Crusted Halibut are a couple more delicious ways to serve this meal.
Nowadays, when I make this, I double the recipe and cross my fingers for leftovers for my lunch the next day. I’d happily eat this for lunch and dinner all weekend.
For special occasions, my all-time favorite way to serve this pasta is with a few buttery scallops on the side. This spaghetti with lemon butter sauce would also be terrific with some Roasted Lemon Garlic Shrimp.
Lemon Butter Sauce for Pasta
To make this lemon butter pasta sauce, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- butter
- garlic
- mushrooms
- onion
- tomato
- lemons
- black pepper
- kosher salt
- angel hair pasta
- Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese
- Italian Parsley
- Optional: Better Than Bouillon chicken base
As mentioned, the mushrooms are optional if you dislike them. That said, they really lend something special to the pasta, so if you like or even tolerate mushrooms, I recommend adding them!
Lemon Butter Noodles
Cook the pasta, drain it, and set it aside. Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add the garlic and saute for less than a minute, just until it is fragrant.
Add the mushrooms, onions, and the optional chicken base, if using. Saute for about 5 minutes, until the mushrooms and onions are tender.
Add the lemon juice, tomatoes, and white pepper to the pan. Simmer for 2-3 minutes, or until the tomatoes are warm.
Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss well to coat. Serve and sprinkle with cheese, if desired.
Lemon Butter Pasta with Mushrooms and Tomatoes
Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons butter
- 2 cloves garlic
- 6 – 8 ounces mushrooms
- 1/2 medium yellow onion chopped small
- Optional: 1 teaspoon Better Than Bouillon chicken base
- 1/2 cup diced tomato
- juice from 2 small lemons about 1/4 cup
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- kosher salt to taste only as needed
- 8 ounces angel hair pasta
- Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese freshly grated
- fresh Italian Parsley, for serving
Instructions
- Cook the pasta, drain and set aside. Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and saute for less than a minute, just until it is fragrant.
- Add the mushrooms, onions and the optional chicken base. Saute for about 5 minutes, until the mushrooms and onions are tender.
- Add the lemon juice, tomatoes, and pepper. Simmer for 2-3 minutes, until the tomatoes are warm.
- Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss well to coat. Serve and sprinkle with cheese, if desired. Enjoy
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
{originally published 10/26/12 – recipe notes and photos updated 1/20/25}
What a great simple but flavorful pasta dish. I like that it can easy be a meatless meal, but would also taste great with some grilled chicken on top (great for families with different types of eaters.)
Lemon butter and pasta – I'm sold! I agree about meatless meals – sometimes it just doesn't matter to me. Have a lovely weekend Mary!
That looks so warm and comforting!
I agree—the perfect husband out of town meal!
Isn't it funny how some of your favourite, most used recipes take so long to get photographed and blogged about? Pasta is always a great meal in my books 🙂
Guess whose husband is going out of town tonight? I see some lovely pasta in my near future! I love the combination of mushrooms, tomatoes and lemon with butter, onions and garlic. Can't wait to try it!
Saw this post and went to the kitchen. Lunch was fantastic!! Warm hugs from Dominican Republic!
Hubby and I have had this twice this week, its amazing!!! I added spinach too the second time and it was the perfect add in.
I made this and it is divine!
I have made this a couple time, I just have to tell you that this is FANTASTIC!!!! I sub in a veggie bouillon cube bcuz I am vegetarian.
It's really excellent!!!
This was tasty, but I thought it needed some fresh parsley and basil.
I made this for our date night dinner last night. Oh my goodness, it was delicious! I tried the pan seared scallops but I don’t think the pan was hot enough and the scallops were small, so I got a lot of liquid in the pan. Scallops were done so I tossed it all into the pasta. We cleaned the bowl! Thank you for such a great recipe.
I’m so happy that you enjoyed the meal, Trish!
This is superb! Thanks for sharing!!
I added chopped fresh spinach and shrimp to the mix.
We devoured it!
Fresh spinach would be a great addition, Karina!
Simply delicious!
I’m thrilled you love it!
This was so good! I added some sliced, marinated, cooked, dark chicken meat that came from Mobetta restaraunt (my niece gave them to me) and red pepper flakes to it because my husband loves spicy flavors. I think this would also be good with some spicy Italian sausage. I plan on making this again. Thanks for the recipe!
I’m thrilled you enjoyed the pasta!