Lemon Capellini Salad Recipe

Introduction

This cool and delicious Lemon Capellini Salad is a refreshing pasta dish bursting with fresh tomatoes and briny capers. It’s light, easy to make, and perfect as a side for grilled meats or on its own during any season.

Ingredients

• 8 oz capellini pasta or angel hair pasta
• 2 medium lemons, juice of, plus 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: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the capellini pasta carefully to avoid breaking the strands. Cook for about 5 minutes or until al dente. Drain and rinse the pasta with cool water to stop the cooking process.
2. Step 2: While the pasta cooks, in a large bowl whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil, garlic salt, and black pepper until combined.
3. Step 3: Add the cooled pasta, diced tomatoes, and capers to the dressing. Toss everything together gently to combine.
4. Step 4: Stir in the chopped parsley and lemon zest, giving the salad one last toss before serving. Chill if desired or serve immediately.

Tips & Variations

• For best texture, avoid breaking the delicate capellini noodles before cooking.
• If you can’t find capellini, thin spaghetti works well as a substitute.
• Add a handful of arugula or spinach for extra greens and flavor.
• Use grape or roma tomatoes for a sweeter, less watery salad.

Storage

This pasta salad keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Store it in an airtight container and toss gently before serving, as the dressing may settle at the bottom. It tastes even better the next day after the flavors meld together. Serve chilled 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, you can substitute capellini with thin spaghetti or angel hair pasta. Avoid thicker pastas that might overpower the light dressing.

Should I peel the lemons before zesting?

Only zest the yellow part of the lemon skin, avoiding the white pith underneath, which can be bitter. Use a fine grater or zester for best results.

Lemon Capellini Salad Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 72 reviews

This cool and refreshing Lemon Capellini Salad is a vibrant Italian-inspired cold pasta dish featuring delicate angel hair pasta tossed with fresh diced tomatoes, tangy capers, and a zesty lemon dressing. Perfect as a light, flavorful side, it pairs wonderfully with grilled meats or roasted chicken and can be enjoyed year-round, served immediately or chilled to intensify the lemony flavors.

• Author: Mick
• 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

Ingredients

• 8 oz capellini pasta (or angel hair pasta)
• 2 medium lemons, juiced (plus 1 tsp lemon zest)
• 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 ½ tsp garlic salt
• ½ tsp fresh ground black pepper
• ½ cup diced tomatoes, seeds removed (roma or grape tomatoes work well)
• 3 tbsp capers, drained
• 1 tbsp curly leaf parsley, finely chopped (fresh)

Instructions

1. Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Carefully add the capellini pasta, avoiding breaking the delicate strands. Cook for about 5 minutes until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse thoroughly with cool water to stop the cooking process and keep the noodles tender and separate.
2. Prepare Dressing: While the pasta cooks, in a large mixing bowl, whisk together the juice of two lemons, lemon zest, extra virgin olive oil, garlic salt, and freshly ground black pepper until well combined, creating a bright and flavorful dressing.
3. Combine Ingredients: Add the cooled pasta to the lemon dressing along with the diced tomatoes and drained capers. Gently toss everything to ensure the pasta is evenly coated with the dressing and the ingredients are well distributed.
4. Finish the Salad: Fold in the freshly chopped curly leaf parsley for a pop of color and fresh herbaceous flavor. Give the salad one last toss to blend all elements perfectly. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate to chill before serving.

Notes

• This pasta salad can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Before serving leftovers, toss the salad again as the dressing may settle at the bottom.
• For best texture and presentation, avoid breaking the capellini noodles when cooking and handling.
• If capellini is unavailable, thin spaghetti can be used as an alternative.
• The salad tastes even better the next day as the pasta absorbs the lemon dressing flavors.

Keywords: Capers, Pasta Salad, Lemon Pasta Salad, Italian Pasta Salad, Capellini Salad