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Easy Lemon Capellini Salad Recipe

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4.4 from 5 reviews

This Easy Lemon Capellini Salad is a light and refreshing Italian-inspired pasta dish featuring delicate angel hair pasta tossed with a zesty lemon dressing, juicy tomatoes, briny capers, and fresh parsley, perfect as a side dish for any meal.

Ingredients

Salad Ingredients

  • 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 Ingredients

  • 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 Pasta: In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the capellini pasta until tender, approximately 5-7 minutes as the pasta is very thin. Be careful not to overcook. Drain and rinse under cool water to halt cooking and prevent sticking.
  2. Prepare Dressing: While pasta cooks, in a large bowl, whisk together the juice of 2 lemons, 1 tsp lemon zest, extra virgin olive oil, garlic salt, and black pepper until fully combined and emulsified.
  3. Combine Salad: Add the cooled pasta, diced tomatoes (with seeds removed), and drained capers to the lemon dressing. Toss gently to mix all ingredients evenly.
  4. Finish and Serve: Stir in the finely chopped curly leaf parsley and give the salad a final toss to incorporate. Serve immediately for the freshest flavor or cover and chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

Notes

  • This pasta salad can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
  • Before serving after storage, toss the salad again to redistribute the dressing which may settle at the bottom.
  • Removing the tomato seeds helps prevent excess moisture and keeps the salad from becoming watery.
  • Use fresh lemons and quality extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor.