Lemon Capellini Salad Recipe

Introduction

This Lemon Capellini Salad is a light, refreshing dish perfect for warm days or as a bright side to any meal. With delicate angel hair pasta, zesty lemon, and briny capers, it’s bursting with fresh flavors that come together quickly and easily.

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. Since the pasta is thin, it will cook quickly. Drain and rinse under cool water to stop the cooking process.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together the juice of 2 lemons, olive oil, garlic salt, and black pepper until well combined.
3. Step 3: Add the cooked pasta, diced tomatoes, and drained capers to the bowl. Toss everything gently to mix.
4. Step 4: Stir in the finely chopped parsley and give the salad one final toss. Serve immediately or cover and chill until ready to serve.

Tips & Variations

• Try adding thinly sliced red onions or fresh basil for extra flavor.
• For a creamier version, mix in a spoonful of ricotta or goat cheese before serving.
• Use freshly grated lemon zest to enhance the citrus aroma.
• If capers are too strong for you, soak them briefly in water to reduce saltiness.

Storage

Store the salad covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The flavors meld nicely when chilled, but the pasta may absorb some dressing and become softer over time. Reheat gently if desired or enjoy cold as a pasta salad.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes, any thin pasta like angel hair or vermicelli works well. Just adjust cooking times accordingly.

Is this salad suitable for meal prep?

Absolutely. It keeps well chilled and flavors develop after a few hours, making it a great option for packed lunches or picnics.

Lemon Capellini Salad Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 95 reviews

This vibrant Lemon Capellini Salad is a fresh and light pasta dish featuring delicate angel hair pasta tossed with zesty lemon juice, capers, juicy tomatoes, and a hint of garlic salt. Perfect for a quick lunch or a refreshing side dish, it combines bright citrus flavors with a touch of olive oil and fresh parsley for an easy, no-fuss meal.

• Author: Mick
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Salad
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Mediterranean
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta

• 8 oz capellini pasta (or angel hair pasta)

Dressing and Mix-ins

• 2 medium lemons (juice of 2 lemons + 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. Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add the capellini pasta. Cook until tender, which should be just a few minutes due to the thinness of the pasta. Drain the pasta and rinse with cool water to stop the cooking process and prevent sticking.
2. Prepare the dressing: While the pasta is cooking, combine the juice of 2 lemons, 1 teaspoon lemon zest, 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, 1 ½ teaspoons garlic salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper in a large bowl. Whisk these ingredients thoroughly until well emulsified.
3. Toss the salad: Add the cooled pasta to the bowl with the dressing. Then incorporate the ½ cup of diced tomatoes (with seeds removed) and 3 tablespoons of drained capers. Toss gently to coat everything evenly with the dressing.
4. Add fresh herbs: Finally, stir in 1 tablespoon of finely chopped curly leaf parsley for a fresh flavor and give the salad one last gentle toss to mix all ingredients well.
5. Serve or chill: The Lemon Capellini Salad can be served immediately at room temperature, or you can cover and chill it in the refrigerator until ready to serve for a cold refreshing pasta salad.

Notes

• Seed the tomatoes to prevent excess moisture and sogginess in the salad.
• Rinsing the pasta with cool water stops the cooking and keeps the strands from sticking together.
• Adjust the amount of garlic salt and black pepper to taste based on your preference.
• This salad tastes great both freshly made or chilled for a couple of hours.
• For a dairy-free and vegetarian option, this salad is naturally suitable as is.

Keywords: Lemon Capellini Salad, angel hair pasta salad, lemon pasta salad, Mediterranean pasta, light pasta dish, capers and tomato pasta