Lemon Capellini Salad Recipe

Introduction

This Lemon Capellini Salad is a fresh and light dish perfect for warm days or as a bright side. With zesty lemon, tender pasta, and briny capers, it offers a delightful balance of flavors in every bite.

Ingredients

• 8 oz capellini pasta (or angel hair pasta)
• 2 medium lemons (juice of + 1 tsp lemon zest)
• 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 ½ tsp garlic salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ cup diced tomatoes (seeds removed)
• 3 tbsp capers (drained)
• 1 tbsp curly leaf parsley (finely chopped)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until tender, which will only take a few minutes since the pasta is thin. Drain and rinse with cool water to stop the cooking process.
2. Step 2: While the pasta cooks, whisk together the juice of 2 lemons, olive oil, garlic salt, and black pepper in a large bowl.
3. Step 3: Add the cooked and cooled pasta, diced tomatoes, and capers to the bowl. Toss everything gently to combine.
4. Step 4: Stir in the finely chopped parsley for a fresh herbal note, then give the salad one final toss. Serve immediately or chill in the fridge before serving.

Tips & Variations

• To add extra texture, mix in some toasted pine nuts or slivered almonds before serving.
• Swap capers for chopped olives if you prefer a milder briny flavor.
• For a bit more richness, sprinkle some freshly grated Parmesan cheese on top just before serving.
• If you like a little heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the dressing.

Storage

Store the salad covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Because the pasta will absorb the dressing over time, it’s best enjoyed fresh or within one day for optimal texture. When ready to serve, toss gently again to redistribute the dressing. Serve cold or at room temperature.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes, thin pasta like angel hair or even small shapes like orzo work well. Just adjust the cooking time as needed.

How do I prevent the pasta from sticking together?

Rinsing the cooked pasta with cool water after draining stops further cooking and removes excess starch, which helps keep it from sticking.

Lemon Capellini Salad Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 116 reviews

This light and refreshing Lemon Capellini Salad combines delicate angel hair pasta with zesty lemon, juicy tomatoes, briny capers, and fresh parsley. Tossed in a simple lemon and olive oil dressing, it’s perfect as a quick lunch or a vibrant side dish for any meal.

• Author: Elias
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 6 minutes
• Total Time: 16 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Salad
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta

• 8 oz capellini pasta (or angel hair pasta)

Dressing

• 2 medium lemons (juice of + 1 tsp lemon zest)
• 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 ½ tsp garlic salt
• ½ tsp black pepper

Add-ins

• ½ cup diced tomatoes (seeds removed)
• 3 tbsp capers (drained)
• 1 tbsp curly leaf parsley (finely chopped)

Instructions

1. Cook the pasta: Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the capellini pasta until tender, which should only take a few minutes due to the thinness of the pasta. Drain the pasta and rinse it with cool water to stop the cooking process and prevent it from sticking.
2. Prepare the dressing: While the pasta cooks, combine the juice of 2 lemons, 1 teaspoon of lemon zest, 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, 1 ½ teaspoons of garlic salt, and ½ teaspoon of black pepper in a large bowl. Whisk these ingredients together thoroughly to create a bright and tangy dressing.
3. Toss the salad: Add the cooled pasta to the bowl with the dressing. Then add ½ cup of diced tomatoes (with seeds removed) and 3 tablespoons of drained capers. Toss everything gently to ensure even coating of the dressing on all ingredients.
4. Add fresh herbs and serve: Stir in 1 tablespoon of finely chopped curly leaf parsley for added freshness and flavor. Give the salad one final gentle toss, then serve immediately or cover and chill it in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve.

Notes

• Rinsing the pasta after cooking prevents it from overcooking and sticking together, keeping the texture light and perfect for a salad.
• Removing tomato seeds helps reduce excess moisture, preventing the salad from becoming watery.
• This salad can be served immediately or chilled; chilling allows flavors to meld beautifully.
• For extra zest, add more lemon zest or a splash of lemon juice before serving.
• Substitute capers with sliced olives for a different briny twist.

Keywords: Lemon Capellini Salad, angel hair pasta salad, Italian pasta salad, lemon pasta salad, capers, light pasta salad