Lemon Capellini Salad Recipe

Introduction

This Lemon Capellini Salad is a light and refreshing dish perfect for warm days or as a vibrant side. Delicate angel hair pasta is tossed with zesty lemon, fresh tomatoes, and briny capers for a burst of bright flavors.

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 capellini is very thin, this will be quick. Drain and rinse with cool water to stop further cooking.
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 lemon dressing. Toss gently to combine.
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

• For extra flavor, add a handful of toasted pine nuts or shaved Parmesan before serving.
• Substitute fresh basil for parsley for a different herb note.
• Use cherry tomatoes halved if you prefer a juicier bite.

Storage

Store the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. It tastes best served chilled or at room temperature. If the pasta absorbs too much dressing after resting, toss gently with a little extra olive oil before serving.

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 vermicelli works best to absorb the light dressing, but you can also try thin spaghetti or even fusilli for more texture.

Should I add salt to the pasta water?

Yes, salting the boiling water enhances the pasta’s natural flavor, so be sure to add enough salt before cooking.

Lemon Capellini Salad Recipe

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4.6 from 100 reviews

A refreshing and light Lemon Capellini Salad featuring tender angel hair pasta tossed in a zesty lemon vinaigrette with juicy tomatoes, briny capers, and fresh parsley. Perfect as a quick lunch or a bright side dish for warm weather meals.

• Author: Grace
• 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

Salad

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

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

Instructions

1. Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the capellini pasta and cook until tender, which typically takes about 3-5 minutes due to the thinness of the pasta. Drain and rinse the pasta with cool water to stop the cooking process and prevent it from becoming mushy.
2. Prepare the dressing: While the pasta cooks, in a large bowl whisk together the juice of 2 lemons, 1 teaspoon of lemon zest, extra virgin olive oil, garlic salt, and black pepper until well combined and emulsified.
3. Toss the salad: Add the cooled pasta, diced tomatoes, and drained capers into the bowl with the lemon dressing. Toss gently but thoroughly to ensure everything is evenly coated.
4. Finish and serve: Stir in the freshly chopped curly leaf parsley for a pop of color and fresh flavor. Give the salad one last toss and serve immediately, or cover and chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve for a cold, refreshing option.

Notes

• Be careful not to overcook the capellini; its thin strands cook quickly and can easily turn mushy if left too long.
• Removing the seeds from the tomatoes prevents excess moisture, keeping the salad fresh and light.
• You can adjust the amount of lemon juice and zest depending on how tart you prefer the salad.
• This salad is best served fresh but can be refrigerated covered for up to 1 day.
• For a vegan option, ensure the garlic salt does not contain animal-derived ingredients.

Keywords: lemon capellini salad, angel hair pasta salad, lemon pasta salad, easy pasta salad, Mediterranean salad, summer salad