Lemon Capellini Salad Recipe
Introduction
This Lemon Capellini Salad is a light and refreshing dish perfect for warm days or as a vibrant side. Ready in just 15 minutes, it combines bright citrus flavors with tender pasta and fresh herbs for an effortless meal.
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
- Step 1: Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until tender, which should take only a few minutes because the pasta is thin. Drain the pasta and rinse with cool water to stop it from cooking further.
- Step 2: While the pasta cooks, whisk together the juice of 2 lemons, olive oil, garlic salt, and black pepper in a large bowl.
- Step 3: Add the cooked pasta, diced tomatoes, and capers to the bowl. Toss everything to combine evenly.
- Step 4: Stir in the finely chopped parsley and give the salad one last gentle toss. Serve immediately or cover and chill until ready to serve.
Tips & Variations
- For extra zest, add the 1 teaspoon of lemon zest to the dressing before mixing in the pasta.
- Try replacing capers with sliced black olives for a different salty bite.
- Boost freshness by adding thinly sliced red onion or fresh basil leaves.
Storage
Store the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The flavors develop nicely when chilled, but the pasta may absorb some dressing and become softer. For best texture, toss gently again before serving. This salad is best enjoyed 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, angel hair pasta is ideal due to its lightness, but you can use thin spaghetti or any delicate pasta you prefer. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Is this salad suitable for meal prep?
Absolutely. It makes a great make-ahead dish for lunches or picnics. Just keep it refrigerated and stir before serving to refresh the flavors.
Print
Lemon Capellini Salad Recipe
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This refreshing Lemon Capellini Salad is a light and zesty pasta dish perfect for warm days or as a bright side to any meal. Featuring delicate capellini pasta tossed with fresh lemon juice, olive oil, garlic salt, diced tomatoes, capers, and fresh parsley, this salad is easy to prepare and bursting with citrus flavor. It’s a quick and satisfying recipe that pairs well with grilled dishes or can be enjoyed on its own.
Ingredients
Salad 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
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add the capellini pasta. Cook until the pasta is tender but still firm to the bite, which should take just a few minutes due to the thin nature of the pasta. Once cooked, drain the pasta and rinse it under cool water to stop the cooking process and prevent sticking.
- Prepare Dressing: In a large bowl, combine the juice of the two lemons, 1 teaspoon of lemon zest, extra virgin olive oil, garlic salt, and black pepper. Whisk thoroughly to create a zesty, flavorful dressing.
- Toss Ingredients: Add the cooled pasta to the bowl with the dressing and toss gently to coat evenly. Then fold in the diced tomatoes and drained capers, stirring carefully to combine all flavors without breaking the pasta.
- Add Herbs and Serve: Finally, stir in the finely chopped curly leaf parsley for a fresh, vibrant finish. Give the salad one last gentle toss. Serve immediately for the freshest taste, or cover and refrigerate to chill until ready to serve.
Notes
- Be sure to remove tomato seeds to keep the salad from becoming watery.
- Rinsing pasta after cooking stops it from overcooking and helps keep it separated.
- Capers add a salty, briny flavor—rinse them if a milder taste is preferred.
- This salad can be served immediately or chilled for up to 24 hours; tossing again before serving will refresh the flavors.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Keywords: lemon capellini salad, angel hair pasta salad, lemon pasta salad, Mediterranean pasta salad, easy pasta salad, summer salad
