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    Home > Pasta Recipes > Creme Fraiche Pasta Sauce With Gremolata

    Creme Fraiche Pasta Sauce With Gremolata

    Published: Sep 26, 2022 by Lea Ann Brown · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Creme fraiche sauce for angel hair pasta with shrimp.

    Creme Fraiche Pasta Sauce served over Angel hair pasta is a creamy match made in heaven. Parmesan cheese, lemon zest and starchy pasta water makes a velvety texture and bright flavor. Stir in some fresh and lively gremolata and top with tender shrimp and you’ve got an easy “restaurant feel” dinner.

    Creme fraiche pasta sauce over angel hair pasta and cooked shrrimp.

    You’re about 30 minutes away from a delightfully satisfying pasta dinner. Plan accordingly, and in the time it takes the pasta to cook, the creme fraiche sauce comes together and the shrimp is cooked.

    Toss everything together and dig in. Don’t forget to pour yourself a glass of crisp white wine. It’s a perfect partner for pasta and creme fraiche.

    Luscious creamy and lemony creme fraiche sauce tossed with delicate angel hair pasta is a beautiful “feel fancy” combination.

    What is Creme Fraiche? Creme fraiche is a dairy product that is a richer and slightly less tangy version of sour cream.

    Creme fraiche is simply French for Fresh Cream. It’s a thick cultured cream which is soured with a bacterial culture. Much like sour cream or Mexican crema. Offering a nutty and tangy flavor. It can be used as a condiment or thickener, or as a sauce, like this creme fraiche sauce for pasta.

    Creme fraiche is easy to find at your local grocery store but did you know that you can easily make your own? Check out this creme fraiche recipe.

    What is Gremolata? Gremolata is such a big word for such an easy fresh seasoning. It’s simply made of fresh parsley, lemon zest and garlic. And it’s totally delightful.

    Ingredients You’ll Need

    Ingredients to make creme fraiche sauce for pasta.

    Ingredients for Gremolata:

    • Fresh Parsley
    • Lemon Zest
    • Fresh Garlic

    For The Creme Fraiche Pasta:

    • Angel Hair Pasta
    • Creme Fraiche
    • Red Pepper Flakes
    • Extra Virgin Olive Oil
    • Parmesan Cheese
    • Cooked Shrimp

    Ingredient Substitutions

    • Pasta: Use spaghetti in place of the Angel Hair Pasta. Or choose a fun shape like orecchiette.
    • Shrimp: Crabmeat is another seafood that shines when paired with lemon and cream. Omit the seafood and substitute 1 cup of frozen peas to make this a vegetarian pasta dish.
    • Bacon: Substitute some crumbled cooked bacon and chopped green onions in place of the seafood.

    Step by Step Instructions – It’s Easy

    Ingredients to make gremolata in a food chopper.
    Making gremolata in a food chopper grinder.
    • Step 1: Make the gremolata: In the bowl of a small food chopper, add the garlic. Pulse about 5 times or until rough chopped. Add parsley leaves and the zest of 1 lemon. Pulse about 20 times until medium chopped.

    Pro-Tip: Can You Use Parsley Stems? Unlike cilantro, where the stems and leaves are similar in flavor, parsley stems don’t work well in most recipes. While parsley leaves are fresh and herbal, the stems are tougher in texture and have a much stronger and intense flavor. Which will over-power and alter the flavor of a recipe.

    How to make creme fraiche pasta sauce.
    Adding gremolata to pasta sauce with creme fraiche.
    • Step 2: Make the Creme Fraiche Pasta Sauce: Juice the lemon into a large bowl. Whisk in the crème fraîche and olive oil until combined.
    • Step 3: Add the Parmesan, red-pepper flakes and reserved gremolata; mix until combined. Set aside.
    Using tongs to mis angel hair pasta with creme fraiche pasta sauce in a large orange bowl.
    • Step 4: Add the cooked reserved pasta to the creme fraiche sauce. Using tongs toss until the pasta is well covered in sauce. Add a little reserved pasta water to the sauce.

    Pro Tip: Why is pasta water good for pasta sauce? Don’t throw all of that pasta cooking liquid down the drain, It’s liquid gold. It’s a must to add to any sauce for any pasta dish. It’s high in starch and this salty starchy water helps the sauce cling to the pasta while helping to thicken the sauce. It turns any pasta dish into a luxurious pasta dish.

    Creme fraiche for pasta with angel hair pasta and shrimp on a teal pasta bowl.
    • Step 5: Plate the meal: Grab your favorite pasta plates. Place pasta on the plate and top with cooked shrimp. Garnish with parsley.

    FAQ’s

    Is Creme Fraiche The Same As Greek Yogurt?

    Creme fraiche is made from heavy cream while yogurt is made from milk. The culturing process used for each differs and affects the texture and flavor, making them different products in the end.

    What Is The Closest Thing to Creme Fraiche?

    Sour cream. If you are going to substitute sour cream in this recipe, I’d suggest using Mexican Crema. It’s thinner in texture than sour cream and creme fraiche, but the flavor is somewhat similar.

    How Long Does Creme Fraiche Last In The Refrigerator?

    Following this recipe, you’ll only use 1/2 of a container of creme fraiche. The remainder will last in the refrigerator up to a month to six weeks. Perfect for making another batch of creme fraiche sauce for pasta.

    Can Pasta Creme Fraiche Be Gluten Free?

    Yes and so easy. Simply purchase a gluten free pasta product. No need to alter any instructions for this recipe.

    Storage

    Store any leftover creme fraiche pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The pasta will keep for 3 – 4 days. Angel hair pasta reheats beautifully in the microwave. Depending on the serving amount, allow 15 – 30 seconds.

    I hope you give this creme fraiche sauce for pasta a try. Adding gremolata makes this a very special sauce and a very special dinner.

    Related Recipes

    • Fettuccine Mio Amore Recipe (Lincoln Highway Pasta)
    • Pasta with Ham and Peas In A Lemon Cream Sauce
    • Angel Hair Pasta And Asparagus With Lemon Cream Sauce
    • Spicy Creamy Shrimp Pasta Recipe
    Creme fraiche pasta sauce over angel hair pasta and cooked shrrimp.

    Creme Fraiche Pasta Sauce with Angel Hair Pasta and Shrimp

    Creamy and luscious, creme fraiche pasta is fresh with lemon and parsley, this is a satisfying meal.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Pasta Recipes
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 30 minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 405kcal
    Author: Lea Ann Brown

    Ingredients

    • For the gremolata:
    • 1 cup flat-leaf parsley leaves loosely packed
    • 1 clove garlic
    • Zest of 1 lemon
    • For the Pasta:
    • ½ pound angel hair pasta about 1/2 box.
    • ½ cup crème fraîche
    • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil plus more for garnish
    • Juice of one lemon about two tablespoons
    • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese plus more for garnish
    • ½ teaspoon red-pepper flakes
    • 16 large shrimp
    • Flat-leaf parsley leaves for garnish
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Using two sauce pans, put some water on to boil the spaghetti and the shrimp.
    • Make the Gremolata: In the bowl of a small food chopper, add the garlic. Pulse about 5 times or until rough chopped. Add parsley leaves and the zest of 1 lemon. Pulse about 20 times until medium chopped.
    • Juice the lemon into a large bowl. Whisk in the crème fraîche and olive oil until combined. Add the Parmesan, red-pepper flakes and reserved gremolata; mix until combined. Set aside.
    • Cook the Angel Hair Pasta according to package directions. Drain, reserving about 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining.
    • Cook the Shrimp: Peel, devein, remove tails. In a sauce pan with water, add a few leaves of parsley and the lemon that you've used to zest and juice. Let this mixture boil for 5 minutes and then add the shrimp and cook for two minutes. Remove shrimp to a plate and set aside. Keep warm.
    • Transfer the pasta to the bowl with the sauce. Add the sauce and toss to coat the noodles evenly, adding pasta water 1 tablespoon at a time to thin sauce if needed.
    • Transfer the pasta to individual plates. Add 4 shrimp per plate and garnish with additional Parmesan, a drizzle of olive oil and parsley. Serve immediately.

    Notes

    Storage: Store any leftover creme fraiche pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The pasta will keep for 3 – 4 days. Angel hair pasta reheats beautifully in the microwave. Depending on the serving amount, allow 15 – 30 seconds. 
    Use a gluten free pasta product to make this a gluten free meal.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 405kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 67mg | Sodium: 539mg | Potassium: 255mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 1617IU | Vitamin C: 22mg | Calcium: 336mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @lannisam or tag #CookingOnTheRanch!

    Pasta Sauce with Creme Fraiche … It’s What’s For Dinner.

    More Pasta Recipes

    • Quicker Chicken Spaghetti Bolognese
    • Salmon and Pasta with Paprika Wine Sauce
    • Southwest Pasta Salad With Black Beans
    • Smoked Mozzarella Penne Pasta Salad with Creamy Parmesan Sauce

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jean | DelightfulRepast.com says

      April 02, 2015 at 8:01 am

      Mmm … the gremolata makes this dish sing, Lea Ann!

      Reply
    2. Chris says

      April 01, 2015 at 2:17 pm

      The shrimp looks great. OMG isn’t Breaking Bad the best? Alexis and I binge watched the first two seasons and then watched the rest as they came out. Hated waiting each week! Are you watching the pre-quel show that’s on now – Better Call Saul? It starts off slow but it has gotten great the past few episodes. It really provides a ton of insight and sympathy for some of the players in Breaking Bad.

      Reply
    3. John@Kitchen Riffs says

      April 01, 2015 at 10:55 am

      Haven’t seen Breaking Bad, but so many people have told me it’s terrific. Binge watching is the way to go — I used to resist, it, but it’s so satisfying, isn’t it? Can watch all weekend, taking just enough time to make a great dish like this for dinner! Good stuff — thanks.

      Reply
    4. Dan says

      April 01, 2015 at 7:30 am

      Wow, does that sound good. I have a huge weakness for angel hair, and your recipe seems heavenly.

      Reply
    5. cheri says

      March 31, 2015 at 9:56 pm

      Hi Lea Ann, oh you always have the best shrimp recipes. This looks fabulous. Breaks are always good!!! Have a great week.

      Reply
    6. Susan says

      March 31, 2015 at 3:01 pm

      It’s great to take a break now and then when things get hectic. I’m thinking of one myself since we’re inundated with brithdays and holidays coming up. What a delicious pasta, Lea Ann, and thanks for the wine reco. We’re always looking for a reasonably priced good wine to try. Isn’t Breaking Bad amazing? The acting in fantastic. I never watched the series when it was on regular TV but caught up quickly when the Sundance Channel replayed it so I was able to catch up before the series finale.

      Reply
    7. Sam @ My Carolina Kitchen says

      March 31, 2015 at 12:05 pm

      Lovely pasta dish and perfect for nights when I’m tired or want something easy. Back in the day I made my creme fraiche too. It’s hard to find in NC so I continue to make it there. Happy Easter to you & Bob.
      Sam

      Reply
    8. Larry says

      March 31, 2015 at 6:32 am

      Not at all surprised bu Bob’s wine predicting abilities – we’ll look for it. The pasta dish looks delicious and pretty simple to make. I haven’t looked in a while, but haven’t found crème fraîche in one of our normal markets – can probably find in Knoxville.

      Reply
    9. Abbe @ This is How I Cook says

      March 30, 2015 at 9:41 pm

      OMG! We really need to get together. There is no excuse. I love Breaking Bad. We watched the whole thing in like a month, I think. Love this dish. I couldn’t eat it though while watching the show. I get too nervous!

      Reply
    10. Karen Harris says

      March 30, 2015 at 5:39 pm

      OMG, i love Breaking Bad. How fun to be able to watch it from start to finish without those pesky season finales getting in the way. Ah, Walter White and this shrimp dish. The makings of a great night.

      Reply
    11. Adam J. Holland says

      March 30, 2015 at 4:59 pm

      5 stars
      I doubt that even the great Heisenberg could create such a … pure concoction as this. 😉

      Reply
    12. Vickie says

      March 30, 2015 at 4:21 pm

      You had me at gremolata – my favorite combination of flavors. And with creamy shrimp … oh la la. Love the wine recommendation as well. We binge watched Breaking Bad on Netflix and I almost wanted to start it over. Loved it!

      Reply
    13. Debra says

      March 30, 2015 at 10:09 am

      Glad you posted this…..looks delicious along with that wine that didn’t make it to the table. We love Breaking Bad and have recently thought that we needed to rewatch the series from the beginning. Also need to start Better Call Saul…..

      Reply
      • Lea Ann Brown says

        March 30, 2015 at 2:46 pm

        I’m obsessed with BB. We’ve just started on Season 3. We’ll get to Better Call Saul as soon as we’re depressed that there are no more BB’s to watch. 🙂

        Reply

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    I'm Lea Ann, A Culinary School Grad bringing you Wild West Colorado inspired recipes. You'll find lots of Southwestern, and Mexican food recipes, and some favorites from Culinary School along with pro cooking tips. If you're an adventurous home cook looking to spice up your meal plans, you'll find plenty of inspiration and reliable, approachable, easy to follow recipes.

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