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 Sauce for 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 Lemon Butter Pasta just for myself on weekends when Sean was out of town.
Lemon Butter Garlic Sauce
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. (The scallop recipe is HERE! will be headed your way on Wednesday and I’m excited to finally be sharing it with you!)
This pasta would also be terrific with some Roasted Lemon Garlic Shrimp.
Lemon Butter Pasta
- 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 white 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.
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 ¼ 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
{originally published 10/26/12 – recipe notes and photos updated 2/8/21}
Becki's Whole Life says
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.)
Tricia @ saving room for dessert says
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!
Pam says
That looks so warm and comforting!
Sue/the view from great island says
I agree—the perfect husband out of town meal!
Anna @ Hidden Ponies says
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 🙂
Stacy says
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!
Sahidy says
Saw this post and went to the kitchen. Lunch was fantastic!! Warm hugs from Dominican Republic!
Rebecca says
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.
Donna says
I made this and it is divine!
Anonymous says
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!!!
Lennie says
This was tasty, but I thought it needed some fresh parsley and basil.
Trish Stewart says
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.
Mary Younkin says
I’m so happy that you enjoyed the meal, Trish!
Karina T says
This is superb! Thanks for sharing!!
I added chopped fresh spinach and shrimp to the mix.
We devoured it!
Mary Younkin says
Fresh spinach would be a great addition, Karina!