Description
This Lemon Capellini Salad is a light, fresh, and flavorful pasta dish perfect for warm-weather meals. Featuring delicate capellini pasta tossed with a zesty lemon garlic dressing, fresh herbs, cherry tomatoes, and Parmesan cheese, this recipe offers a refreshing and easy-to-make salad that’s perfect as a side or a light main dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces capellini pasta
Dressing
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Salad Add-ins
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the capellini according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse briefly under cold water to stop the cooking, then drain well. Transfer the pasta to a large bowl.
- Prepare Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
- Toss Pasta with Dressing: Pour the dressing over the cooled pasta and gently toss to coat the noodles evenly with the lemon garlic dressing.
- Add Salad Ingredients: Add the halved cherry tomatoes, grated Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, and chopped basil to the pasta. Toss again carefully to distribute the ingredients evenly throughout the salad.
- Chill and Serve: Chill the salad for 15 to 20 minutes before serving to let flavors meld, or serve immediately at room temperature for a fresh, vibrant pasta salad.
Notes
- For added protein, grilled shrimp or chicken pairs beautifully with this salad.
- You can add arugula or spinach for extra greens and nutrition.
- This dish is best served fresh but can be stored refrigerated for up to 2 days.
