--- title: "Lemon Capellini Salad Recipe (With Tomatoes And Capers)" url: https://www.whiskaffair.com/lemon-capellini-salad-recipe/ date: 2025-05-19 modified: 2025-09-02 lang: en author: "Neha Mathur" description: "Lemon Capellini Salad (With Tomatoes And Capers) is a light pasta salad that is super easy to make using minimal ingredients. Serve it hot or cold. You may like some..." categories: - "Italian" - "Main Course" - "Salads" image: https://www.whiskaffair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Lemon-Capellini-Salad-2-3.jpg word_count: 1250 --- # Lemon Capellini Salad Recipe (With Tomatoes And Capers) **Lemon Capellini Salad (With Tomatoes And Capers)** is a light pasta salad that is super easy to make using minimal ingredients. Serve it hot or cold. You may like some more salad recipes: [Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad](https://www.whiskaffair.com/din-tai-fung-cucumber-salad/), [Thai Watermelon Salad](https://www.whiskaffair.com/thai-watermelon-salad/), [Cajun Potato Salad](https://www.whiskaffair.com/cajun-potato-salad-recipe/), [Malaysian Mango Salad](https://www.whiskaffair.com/malaysian-ripe-mango-salad/), and [Thai Green Papaya Salad](https://www.whiskaffair.com/spicy-thai-green-papaya-salad/). ![Lemon Capellini salad served in a bowl.](https://www.whiskaffair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Lemon-Capellini-Salad-2-1-1200x1800.jpg) ## Table of Contents - About Lemon Capellini Salad- Ingredients- How To Make Lemon Capellini Salad- Variations - Pro Tips By Neha- Storage Suggestions- Other Pasta Recipes We Recommend- Lemon Capellini Salad Recipe (With Tomatoes And Capers) Recipe We went on a short weekend vacation to Hot Springs National Park. When we reached back home yesterday evening, everyone wanted to eat something light for dinner. I had capellini and capers in the pantry, so I thought to make this quick lemon capellini pasta dish. Mohit made a quick run to the nearby Walmart to grab the fresh ingredients, and in the meantime, my prep was done. This pasta salad is our family's favorite, and it comes together so quickly that it's hardly any work. Do try it. ## About Lemon Capellini Salad **Lemon Capellini Salad** is a refreshing pasta salad made with capellini (or angel hair) pasta, cherry tomatoes, capers, and other simple ingredients. It is great as a light meal or as a side dish with meat or veggies. It is also a great dish to serve at **BBQs, picnics, parties, or potlucks. ** The best thing about this dish is that it can be **made and refrigerated before** you are ready to serve it. ## Ingredients **Capellini Pasta **- Good-quality pasta is the key to making a great lemon capellini salad. I like to use Capellini because it is a very thin pasta that absorbs the dressing's flavors well. You can also use angel hair pasta or thin spaghetti noodles. You can also use other types of pasta, such as farfalle or rotini. **Others **- You will also need a few other basic ingredients, such as extra-virgin olive oil, red pepper flakes, garlic cloves, salt, freshly cracked black pepper, baby capers, lemon zest, freshly squeezed lemon juice, cherry tomatoes, spinach, Parmesan cheese, and fresh basil leaves. I used regular spinach, but you can use baby spinach as well. Replace parmesan cheese with nutritional yeast or any vegan cheese to make a vegan recipe. ## How To Make Lemon Capellini Salad ### Cook The Pasta **Step 1:** Put a large pot of water on the stove and bring it to a boil over high heat. **Step 2:** Once the water comes to a rolling boil, add 2 tbsp salt and 9 oz (250 g) capellini pasta. Cook until Al Dente (just cooked). ### Make The Sauce **Step 3:** While the pasta cooks, heat 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. ![Olive oil heating in a pan.](https://www.whiskaffair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Lemon-Capellini-Salad-Step-1.jpg) **Step 4:** Add the following ingredients and saute for 8-10 seconds. - 1/3 cup baby capers (drained) - 2 tsp red pepper flakes - 1 tsp minced garlic - 2 tsp lemon zest **Note** - Reserve the brine when you drain the capers. You will need some of it while making the recipe. ![Capers, garlic, pepper flakes and lemon zest added to the pan.](https://www.whiskaffair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Lemon-Capellini-Salad-Step-2.jpg) **Step 5:** Now add the following ingredients and saute for a minute. - 2 cups of halved cherry tomatoes - 2 cups packed spinach - 1 cup of chopped basil leaves ![Cherry tomatoes, spinach and basil added to the pan.](https://www.whiskaffair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Lemon-Capellini-Salad-Step-3.jpg) **Step 6:** Drain the cooked pasta (reserving some water), then add it to the skillet and toss well. ![Pasta added to the pot.](https://www.whiskaffair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Lemon-Capellini-Salad-Step-4.jpg) **Step 7:** Add the following ingredients and toss well to coat the pasta. - 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice - 2 tbsp reserved brine from capers - 1/2 tsp salt - 1/2 tsp freshly cracked black pepper ![Lemon juice, salta nd pepper added to the pan.](https://www.whiskaffair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Lemon-Capellini-Salad-Step-6.jpg) **Step 8:** Add 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese and mix well. ![Parmesan cheese added to the pan.](https://www.whiskaffair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Lemon-Capellini-Salad-Step-7.jpg) **Step 9:** Check for salt and add more if needed. **Step 10:** Add some reserved pasta water if the pasta looks dry. **Step 11:** Serve as a hot pasta salad or refrigerate for a few hours and serve as a cold pasta salad. You can also serve it at room temperature. ![Ready lemon capellini pasta.](https://www.whiskaffair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Lemon-Capellini-Salad-Step-8.jpg) ## Variations There are several delicious variations that you can try with your Lemon Capellini Salad. Some of my favorites include: Add **nuts** like pine nuts, almonds, and pecans for extra flavor and texture. Use chopped **sun-dried tomatoes** instead of cherry tomatoes for a more intense tomato flavor. Switch up the types of **vegetables **used in the salad, such as swapping fresh spinach with arugula or adding roasted red peppers for a pop of color and flavor.​ You can replace cherry tomatoes with **grape tomatoes or regular tomatoes** cut into bite-sized pieces. You can also replace spinach with **peppery arugula.** Basil leaves can be replaced with **fresh oregano or any other herb.** ## Pro Tips By Neha **Cook the pasta** in salted water according to the package directions. This will ensure that the pasta is properly cooked and seasoned. Be sure to use **freshly squeezed lemon juice** for this salad. Bottled lemon juice will not have the same flavor. You can experiment with **different types of pasta and vegetables** in this salad. There are many delicious possibilities!​ **Reserve 2 tbsp of the brine from the capers**, then add it to the pasta recipe for a nice tangy flavor. ## Storage Suggestions This salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. If you are making this pasta dish ahead of time, wait to add the cherry tomatoes until just before serving so they do not get mushy. Serve cold or heat in a microwave or pan until hot or at room temperature. ## Other Pasta Recipes We Recommend [![Make this creamy White Sauce Pasta (Bechamel Sauce Pasta) from scratch in just 30 minutes. It makes for a perfect lazy dinner and is really popular among kids.](https://www.whiskaffair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/White-Sauce-Paste-2-3-600x800.jpg)](https://www.whiskaffair.com/white-sauce-pasta-recipe/)Main Course ### White Sauce Pasta (Bechamel Sauce Pasta) [![This smooth and creamy Italian Chicken Florentine Pasta needs minimal prep and gets done in under 30 minutes. If you are looking for an easy-to-make chicken dinner, then give it a try.](https://www.whiskaffair.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Chicken-Florentine-Pasta-2-3-600x800.jpg)](https://www.whiskaffair.com/chicken-florentine-pasta-recipe/)Main Course ### Chicken Florentine Pasta Recipe [![This Easy Cajun Jambalaya Pasta (Pastalaya) is bursting with deep Louisiana flavors and comes together in just 30 minutes. This pasta dish is loaded with shrimp, sausages, veggies, and a pre-made cajun spice mix. Try it!](https://www.whiskaffair.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Jambalaya-Pasta-2-3-600x800.jpg)](https://www.whiskaffair.com/jambalaya-pasta-recipe/)Main Course ### Jambalaya Pasta Recipe (Pastalaya) [![Make this rich, creamy, and one-pot Instant Pot Chicken Broccoli Pasta in under 30 minutes using a few simple ingredients.](https://www.whiskaffair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Instant-Pot-Chicken-Broccoli-Pasta-2-3-600x800.jpg)](https://www.whiskaffair.com/instant-pot-chicken-broccoli-pasta-recipe/)Main Course ### Instant Pot Chicken Broccoli Pasta Recipe ![Lemon Capellini salad served in a bowl.](https://www.whiskaffair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Lemon-Capellini-Salad-2-3-150x150.jpg) [ Print Recipe](https://www.whiskaffair.com/wprm_print/lemon-capellini-salad-recipe-with-tomatoes-and-capers) - 4.75 from 8 votes ## Lemon Capellini Salad Recipe (With Tomatoes And Capers) **Lemon Capellini Salad (With Tomatoes And Capers)** is a light pasta salad that is super easy to make using minimal ingredients. Serve it hot or cold. Prep Time10 minutes minsCook Time10 minutes minsTotal Time20 minutes mins Course: SaladCuisine: ItalianDiet: Vegetarian Servings: 6 people Calories: 286kcal Author: [Neha Mathur](https://www.whiskaffair.com/about-me/) ### Ingredients 9 ounces capellini pasta 250 g, or angel hair pasta, thin spaghetti noodles- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil- ⅓ cup baby capers drained, reserve 2 tbsp brine (optional)- 2 teaspoons red pepper flakes- 1 teaspoon minced garlic- 2 teaspoons lemon zest- 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes- 2 cup spinach packed- 1 cup chopped basil leaves- ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice- ½ teaspoon salt or to taste- ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper- ½ cup grated parmesan cheeseUS Customary - Metric ### Instructions #### Cook The Pasta - Put a large pot of water on your stove to boil over high heat.- Once the water comes to a rolling boil, add 2 tablespoons of salt, and then add capellini pasta.- Cook until Al Dente (just cooked). #### Make The Sauce - While the pasta is cooking, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.- Added capers, red pepper flakes, garlic, and lemon zest and saute for 8-10 seconds.- Now add cherry tomatoes, spinach, and basil leaves, and saute for a minute.- Drain the cooked pasta (reserve ½ cup of the cooking water) and add it to the skillet and toss well.- Add lemon juice, reserved brine from capers, salt, and black pepper, and toss well to coat the pasta.- Add parmesan cheese and mix well.- Check for salt and add more if needed.- Add the reserved pasta water if the pasta looks dry.- Serve as hot pasta salad or refrigerate for a few hours and serve as a cold pasta salad. You can also serve it at room temperature. ### Video ### Notes Cook the pasta in salted water according to the package directions. This will ensure that the pasta is properly cooked and seasoned. Be sure to use freshly squeezed lemon juice for this salad. Bottled lemon juice will not have the same flavor. If you are making this pasta dish ahead of time, wait to add the cherry tomatoes until just before serving so they do not get mushy. Feel free to experiment with different types of pasta and vegetables in this salad. There are many delicious possibilities!​ Reserve 2 tablespoons of the brine from the capers, then add it to the pasta recipe for a nice tangy flavor. ### Nutrition Calories: 286kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 7mg | Sodium: 367mg | Potassium: 302mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 1452IU | Vitamin C: 21mg | Calcium: 105mg | Iron: 1mg