Lemon Caper Pasta Recipe
Lemon Caper Pasta is a bright and flavorful dish combining al dente spaghetti or linguine with a silky lemon-infused butter sauce, accented by tangy capers and fresh parsley. Quickly prepared on the stovetop, this pasta offers a perfect balance of zest and richness, ideal for a light yet satisfying meal.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces pasta (spaghetti or linguine)
Sauce
- 3 tablespoons butter, divided
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
- 1 teaspoon chicken soup base
- 2–3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon capers, drained
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook it until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta completely.
- Sauté the garlic: In a skillet over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon of butter. Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, approximately 1 minute, being careful not to let it brown.
- Create roux: Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the skillet and let it melt. Sprinkle in the all-purpose flour and whisk continuously for about 1 minute to cook the flour without browning it, forming a roux.
- Add liquids: Combine the chicken soup base with the reserved pasta water. Slowly pour the mixture into the skillet while whisking to ensure a smooth sauce without lumps.
- Incorporate lemon and seasonings: Gradually whisk in 2 to 3 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice according to your taste preference. Stir in the drained capers and chopped parsley. Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste.
- Simmer and thicken: Let the sauce simmer gently for 2 minutes until it thickens slightly and flavors meld together.
- Toss and serve: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss well to coat the noodles evenly with the lemon caper sauce. Serve immediately while hot and fresh.
Notes
- Reserve some pasta water to help thin the sauce if it becomes too thick.
- Adjust lemon juice amount based on your preferred level of tartness.
- Substitute chicken soup base with vegetable broth base to make it vegetarian-friendly.
- Fresh parsley adds brightness, but you can use basil or oregano as alternatives.
- This dish pairs well with a light green salad or crusty bread for a complete meal.
Keywords: lemon caper pasta, lemon pasta, quick pasta recipe, easy pasta sauce, stovetop pasta, garlic lemon pasta, caper sauce
Find it online: https://hannahdelgado.com/lemon-caper-pasta-recipe/
