Lemon Capellini Salad Recipe

Introduction

This Lemon Capellini Salad is a light and refreshing dish perfect for warm days or as a bright side to any meal. Featuring delicate angel hair pasta tossed with zesty lemon, juicy tomatoes, and briny capers, it’s simple yet full of vibrant 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, which should happen quickly given the thinness of the pasta. Drain and rinse with 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 combined.
3. Step 3: Add the cooked pasta, diced tomatoes, and capers to the bowl. Toss gently to mix everything together.
4. Step 4: Stir in the finely chopped parsley and give the salad one final toss. Serve immediately or cover and chill in the fridge until ready to enjoy.

Tips & Variations

• For added freshness, try adding thinly sliced cucumbers or fresh basil leaves.
• You can substitute capers with chopped green olives for a different kind of brininess.
• If you prefer a creamier dressing, stir in a tablespoon of Greek yogurt or mayonnaise.
• Use whole wheat or gluten-free pasta to suit dietary preferences.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The salad is best enjoyed chilled and can be served cold or at room temperature. Toss gently before serving to redistribute the dressing and freshen flavors.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this salad ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the salad a few hours in advance and keep it chilled. This allows the flavors to meld, but avoid making it too far ahead as the pasta may become soggy.

What can I use if I don’t have capers?

If you don’t have capers, chopped green olives or even a small amount of pickled relish can provide a similar tangy, salty flavor to the salad.

Lemon Capellini Salad Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 74 reviews

This refreshing Lemon Capellini Salad combines delicate angel hair pasta with a zesty lemon dressing, juicy tomatoes, briny capers, and fresh parsley. Perfect for a light lunch or a summery side dish, this salad is easy to make, bursting with vibrant flavors, and can be served immediately or chilled for later enjoyment.

• Author: Maya
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 4 minutes
• Total Time: 14 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Salad
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Mediterranean
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta

• 8 oz capellini pasta (or angel hair pasta)

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

Salad Add-ins

• 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. Add the capellini pasta and cook until tender but still firm, about 3-4 minutes. Drain the pasta and rinse under cool water to stop the cooking process and prevent sticking.
2. Prepare the dressing: 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 emulsified and smooth.
3. Combine ingredients: Add the cooled pasta to the lemon dressing. Then add the diced, seed-removed tomatoes and drained capers. Toss gently to evenly coat all ingredients with the dressing.
4. Add fresh parsley: Stir in the finely chopped curly leaf parsley and give the salad one final gentle toss to distribute the herbs.
5. Serve or chill: Serve the Lemon Capellini Salad immediately at room temperature, or cover and refrigerate for up to 2 hours to chill and let the flavors meld before serving.

Notes

• Be sure to rinse the pasta under cold water after cooking to avoid overcooking and clumping.
• Remove tomato seeds to prevent excess moisture in the salad.
• Use freshly squeezed lemon juice and zest for the best bright flavor.
• This salad can be prepared a few hours in advance and refrigerated for convenience.
• For a vegan version, ensure the garlic salt does not contain any animal derivatives.

Keywords: lemon pasta salad, capellini salad, angel hair pasta salad, Mediterranean salad, lemon dressing, light pasta salad