Lemon Capellini Salad Recipe

Introduction

This cool and delicious Lemon Capellini Salad is a refreshing cold pasta dish bursting with fresh tomatoes and tangy capers. Perfect as a light side, it’s easy to make and pairs wonderfully with grilled meats or baked chicken.

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, freshly ground
• ½ cup diced tomatoes, seeds removed
• 3 tbsp capers, drained
• 1 tbsp curly leaf parsley, finely chopped

Instructions

1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the capellini pasta carefully to avoid breaking the delicate noodles and cook for about 5 minutes until al dente. Drain and rinse under cool water to stop the cooking process.
2. Step 2: While the pasta cooks, whisk together the juice of two lemons, olive oil, garlic salt, and black pepper in a large bowl to make the dressing.
3. Step 3: Add the cooked and cooled pasta, diced tomatoes, and capers to the bowl with the dressing. Toss gently to combine all ingredients evenly.
4. Step 4: Stir in the freshly chopped parsley and lemon zest, then toss once more before serving. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to enjoy.

Tips & Variations

• For best presentation and texture, avoid breaking the capellini pasta—its long, thin strands are the salad’s star feature.
• If capellini is unavailable, thin spaghetti can be used as a substitute with good results.
• Feel free to add a handful of black olives or fresh basil for an extra flavor dimension.

Storage

Store the Lemon Capellini Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Before serving, toss the salad again to redistribute the dressing that may have settled at the bottom. It tastes even better the next day after the flavors have melded.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes, while capellini is ideal for its delicate texture, thin spaghetti or angel hair pasta can be used as substitutes without significantly altering the dish.

Should I serve this salad chilled or at room temperature?

This salad is best served chilled or at cool room temperature. Refrigerate it for a bit before serving to allow the lemon dressing to soak into the pasta for full flavor.

Lemon Capellini Salad Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 51 reviews

This Lemon Capellini Salad is a cool, refreshing Italian-inspired pasta dish featuring delicate capellini noodles tossed in a bright lemon dressing with fresh diced tomatoes, briny capers, and aromatic parsley. Perfect as a side for grilled meats or as a light meal on its own, it’s quick to prepare and delicious served chilled or at room temperature.

• Author: Elias
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Side Dish
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Salad

• 8 oz capellini pasta (or angel hair pasta)
• ½ cup diced tomatoes (seeds removed, roma or grape tomatoes recommended)
• 3 tbsp capers (drained)
• 1 tbsp curly leaf parsley (finely chopped)

Dressing

• Juice of 2 medium lemons (about ¼ cup)
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 ½ tsp garlic salt
• ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

1. Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Carefully add the capellini pasta, taking care not to break the delicate strands. Cook for about 5 minutes until al dente. Drain the pasta and immediately rinse under cool water to stop the cooking process and prevent sticking.
2. Prepare the dressing: While the pasta cooks, whisk together the juice of two lemons, lemon zest, olive oil, garlic salt, and freshly ground black pepper in a large mixing bowl until fully combined.
3. Combine ingredients: Add the cooled pasta to the bowl with the dressing. Add the diced tomatoes and drained capers. Toss everything together gently to ensure the dressing coats all ingredients.
4. Finish and serve: Fold in the finely chopped parsley for fresh color and flavor. Give the salad one last gentle toss to distribute ingredients evenly. Serve immediately or cover and chill in the refrigerator. Toss again before serving if chilled.

Notes

• This pasta salad can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days. Toss well before serving to redistribute the dressing.
• Do not break the capellini strands before cooking; their long, delicate shape is a key feature of the dish.
• It’s even better the next day as the flavors meld.
• If capellini is unavailable, thin spaghetti can be used as a substitute.

Keywords: Capers, Pasta Salad, Lemon Pasta Salad, Capellini, Angel Hair Pasta, Side Dish, Italian