Join our Vincenzo’s Plate famiglia!
Vincenzo's Plate
  • Recipes
    • All Recipes
    • Pasta
    • Pizza
    • Sauces
    • Bread
    • 30 Minute Meals
    • Nonna’s Recipes
    • Vincenzo’s Basics
    • Recipes by Course
      • Appetizer
      • Mains
      • Dessert
      • Sides
      • Drink
  • About
  • Tours
  • Shop
  • Recipes
    • All Recipes
    • Pasta
    • Pizza
    • Sauces
    • Bread
    • 30 Minute Meals
    • Nonna’s Recipes
    • Vincenzo’s Basics
    • Recipes by Course
      • Appetizer
      • Mains
      • Dessert
      • Sides
      • Drink
  • About
  • Tours
  • Shop

Pasta al Limone

Author:

Vincenzo Prosperi

Updated:

14th May, 2025

3 Comments

share:

  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on X
  • Share on Pinterest
  • Email this Page

This post contains affiliate links. See disclosure policy.

Jump to Recipe

Jump to Video

How to Make Pasta al Limone

Pasta al limone is a quick and easy recipe that is refreshing and simple, but the mix of lemon and mint will take your tastebuds on an Italian Summer holiday! Keep this delicate dish from the south of Italy for a mid-week treat; add some Italian music in the background to spoil someone special and surprise yourself with this flavour bomb! Pasta al limone is a classic Italian dish that can be served as an appetiser or main course. Moreover, It’s made with spaghetti, pesto and lemon segments, making it a perfect light meal for warm summer nights.

Additionally, this pasta recipe is easy to make and requires only 15 minutes! This pasta dish is delicious and anyone can enjoy it. Not only does it take less than an hour to make, but it also tastes fantastic! The combination of lemon and mint makes this pasta dish stand out. Pasta al limone is an easy recipe for all the family to enjoy on a hot summer day!

Watch Pasta al Limone Recipe:

How to Make Pasta al Limon Like an Italian

pasta al limone

Vincenzo’s Top Tip To Make Pasta al Limone

Reserve pasta water

Be sure to reserve some of the pasta cooking water before draining. This starchy water can thin out the sauce or help the sauce cling better to the pasta.

Add cheese gradually

When adding the grated Pecorino cheese, add it gradually while stirring continuously to avoid clumping and to ensure the sauce is smooth.

Adjust seasoning

Taste the sauce before adding salt and pepper, as the cheese may already be salty. Adjust the seasoning according to your preference.

Serve immediately

This dish is best served immediately after cooking while the sauce is still creamy and the pasta is hot. If the sauce becomes too thick, you can thin it out with some reserved pasta water.

Pasta al Limone

Print Recipe
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time: 5 minutes mins
Cook Time: 10 minutes mins
Total Time: 15 minutes mins
Servings: 4

Equipment

  • Lemon squeezer
  • Zester Grater
  • large pot for cooking pasta
  • Chopping-board
  • knife
  • Large fry pan
  • Mixing bowl
  • fork
  • Spoon
  • Long set of tongs

Ingredients

  • 300 grams Spaghetti, 10.6oz. Use a dry, long pasta
  • 2 Lemons, organic is best
  • Fresh mint leaves
  • 5 L Water
  • 4 tbsp Extra virgin olive oil, or 4 tablespoons of butter
  • Pecorino cheese, 300g/3cups

Instructions

  • Pasta al limone is quick to make, so start by boiling the water in a large pot.
  • Once the water boils, add a handful of rock salt and let it dissolve.
  • Next, add the dry spaghetti for your pasta al limone into the pot and let it cook.
  • Add 200g/2cups freshly grated pecorino cheese to a mixing bowl along with the zest of one large lemon.
  • Add 4 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil to your pan, along with the zest of one lemon – do this before putting the pan on the hot stove.
  • Break a few pieces of fresh mint leaves (using your hands) into the pan.
  • Now for your pasta al limone, you need lemon juice! Cut a lemon in half, and squeeze the juice from half of the lemon into the bowl and the other half in your pan.
  • Place your pan onto the stove at a low temperature and add the pasta (once cooked al dente), then mix slightly.
  • Next up, add 4 tablespons of pasta water into the bowl with the pecorino cheese, and whisk this using a fork.
  • Now mix this through your pasta, helping it infuse using a set of tongs.
  • To make the pasta al limone nice and creamy, grate a generous amount of pecorino cheese on top of the pasta and mix it through until it melts.
  • Toss the pan if you can, otherwise just make sure there is enough cheese to create the creaminess you desire.
  • Remove the pan from the stove.
  • E ora si mangia, Vincenzo’s Plate….Enjoy!

Video

Author: Vincenzo’s Plate

 

How to serve Pasta al Limone

Serve up a single portion of pasta on a flat coloured plate, grate some more pecorino cheese on top along with a small amount of fresh lemon zest, and add a couple of sprinkles of mint leaves.

 

Subscribe to my Youtube Channel: www.youtube.com/vincenzosplate

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




3 responses

  1. Cristina
    May 8, 2022

    I liked this pasta so much, I made it today with our toddler ! We love lemons here, so we were generous with those (put 2 whole lemons) and reduced a bit the pecorino (only 150g), plus we added PLENTY of mint from our garden. This is a really classy dish to have on a hot day — it doesn’t fill you to the brim, and doesn’t feel hot. I loved it and will make it again soon.

    Reply
  2. Debbie Limone Henke
    June 7, 2025

    5 stars
    Looks delicious! I want to serve at my harvest dinner in September for about 30 guests. Any tip on multiplying the recipe? Can I make ahead of time?
    Love your recipes and videos. Been making then for years.

    Reply
    1. Vincenzo’s Plate
      June 9, 2025

      Ciao Debbie! So happy to hear you’re making Pasta al Limone for a crowd. If you’d like to scale the recipe for 30 people, there’s a serving size button right at the top of the recipe box. You can click the number of servings (currently set to 4) and adjust it to 30. It will automatically calculate the new amounts for you. Super handy!
      You can prep the lemon zest, juice, and cheese mixture ahead of time and store it in the fridge. Then, just cook the pasta and finish the sauce when you’re ready to serve. Buona fortuna with the big cook-up! And let me know how it goes!

      Reply

Ciao, from Vincenzo

I’ve made it my mission to bring authentic Italian recipes into your kitchen, because great Italian food shouldn’t be complicated. Good food brings people together!

Join our famiglia and stay up to date with my new recipes, exclusive news and cooking tips direct from Nonna

Subscribe

Join Me In Italy

Pescara, Abruzzo

Experience the heart of Italy like never before with our exclusive, intimate Abruzzo tours. Explore hidden gems, savor world-class truffles, make pasta with locals and create memories to last a lifetime. Hosted by yours truly, and my family.

Group Tours

Most Popular Videos

16:17

10M Views

How to Make Neapolitain Pizza…

14:56

6M Views

How to Make Spaghetti Carbonara…

18:17

5M Views

Italian Chef Reacts to Popular…

9:26

3M Views

Mouthwatering Spanish Omlette…

More Videos

Vincenzo’s
Favourite Recipes

A carefully curated selection of the recipes I literally cannot live without. My favourites mostly because of the irresistible flavors but also often because of the memories they evoke.

  • How to Make Ultimate Bolognese Sauce Recipe

    How to Make Ultimate Bolognese Sauce Recipe

  • Pecorino Cheese Balls

    Pecorino Cheese Balls

  • Limoncello Tiramisu

    Limoncello Tiramisu

  • Top 5 Italian Pasta Recipes

    Top 5 Italian Pasta Recipes

Subscribe for weekly recipes

Name

About
Tours
Work with us
Contact
Privacy and Disclosures
Instagram
YouTube
Facebook
TikTok

© Vincenzo’s Plate | Design by Street Fresh Digital Media. Theme by OC.

Vincenzo's Plate

Subscribe for weekly recipes

Name