Ina Garten Lemon Capellini Recipe

This Ina Garten Lemon Capellini recipe is a bright and elegant pasta dish, which includes capellini and fresh lemon juice. It’s a quick, foolproof recipe, ready in just 15 minutes.

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Ina Garten Lemon Capellini Ingredients

• ½ pound capellini (angel hair pasta)
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest (from 2 lemons)
• ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
• ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Optional: chopped fresh parsley or basil, for garnish

How To Make Ina Garten Lemon Capellini

1. Cook the pasta:
   Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add capellini and cook for 2–3 minutes until just al dente. Watch closely, as angel hair pasta cooks very quickly.
2. Reserve pasta water and drain:
   Save ½ cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
3. Make the lemon butter sauce:
   In a large skillet, melt the butter with olive oil over medium heat. Stir in lemon zest and lemon juice. Cook for 1 minute to blend flavors.
4. Toss pasta with sauce:
   Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss to coat. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
5. Add Parmesan and season:
   Stir in Parmesan cheese and season with salt and black pepper to taste.
6. Serve and garnish:
   Plate the pasta and garnish with extra Parmesan and fresh parsley or basil if desired.

Recipe Tips

• Can I substitute capellini with another pasta?
  Yes, spaghetti or linguine also work, but cooking times will be longer.
• How to make it extra creamy:
  Add an extra tablespoon of butter and a splash of heavy cream before tossing with pasta.
• What’s the best way to zest lemons?
  Use a microplane grater for fine zest that blends seamlessly into the sauce.
• Can I double the recipe?
  Yes, just be sure to use a large sauté pan so the pasta coats evenly.
• How to prevent pasta from clumping:
  Drain the pasta right before adding it to the sauce so it’s hot and starchy.

What To Serve With Lemon Capellini

This fresh pasta pairs well with light proteins and crisp vegetables:

• Grilled shrimp or scallops
• Roasted asparagus or broccolini
• A simple green salad
• Garlic bread or focaccia
• White wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio

How To Store Lemon Capellini

Refrigerate:
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Reheat:
Warm gently in a skillet with a splash of water or broth to revive the sauce.

Freeze:
Not recommended, as capellini and lemon sauce don’t hold up well after freezing.

Lemon Capellini Nutrition Facts

(Per serving, based on 2 servings)

• Calories: ~620 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 65g
• Protein: 17g
• Fat: 32g
• Fiber: 4g
• Sugar: 3g

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

Can I make this ahead of time?
This dish is best served immediately, but you can prep ingredients in advance.

Can I add protein to lemon capellini?
Yes, grilled chicken, shrimp, or salmon are excellent additions.

What kind of Parmesan is best?
Freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano is ideal for the best flavor and melting quality.

Can I add vegetables?
Yes, asparagus tips, peas, or spinach can be tossed in with the pasta.

Is this recipe vegetarian?
Yes, as long as you use vegetarian Parmesan cheese.

Try More Recipes:

• Ina Garten Roasted Sausage And Grapes Recipe
• Ina Garten Pasta Primavera Recipe
• Ina Garten Chicken Pot Pie With Biscuits Recipe