Ina Garten Lemon Capellini – Bright, Light, and Bursting with Flavor

Ina Garten’s Lemon Capellini is a vibrant, elegant pasta dish that’s refreshingly simple. Made with tender angel hair pasta, fresh lemon juice, butter, and Parmesan, this light yet luxurious dish is ready in under 15 minutes. It’s perfect as a quick weeknight dinner or a zesty side for grilled seafood or chicken.

With just a handful of ingredients, it’s proof that less really can be more—especially when lemon takes center stage.

What Is Ina Garten Lemon Capellini?

Lemon capellini, also known as lemon angel hair pasta, is a quick pasta recipe where capellini (very thin pasta) is tossed with butter, lemon zest, lemon juice, Parmesan cheese, and seasoning. Ina Garten’s version keeps things bright, tangy, and rich—all with a silky finish that clings perfectly to delicate noodles.

Other Ina Garten Recipes

• Ina Garten Flounder
• Ina Garten Lemon Shrimp Pasta
• Ina Garten Brownie Pudding
• Ina Garten Fish in Parchment

Reasons to Try Ina Garten’s Lemon Capellini

• Fast and easy – Ready in 10–15 minutes
• Light yet satisfying – Perfect for warm weather or lighter meals
• Few ingredients, big flavor – Lemon and butter shine
• Elegant enough for guests – But simple enough for weeknights
• Pairs beautifully with seafood or grilled chicken
• Naturally vegetarian – A great meatless main or side
• Perfect for lemon lovers – Refreshing and bright

Ingredients Needed to Make Ina Garten Lemon Capellini

• 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

Instructions to Prepare Ina Garten Lemon Capellini

Step 1: Cook the pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the capellini and cook for 2–3 minutes, or until just al dente. Angel hair cooks quickly, so watch closely.

Step 2: Reserve pasta water and drain

Reserve ½ cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.

Step 3: Make the lemon butter sauce

In a large sauté pan, melt the butter with olive oil over medium heat. Stir in the lemon zest and lemon juice. Cook for 1 minute to blend flavors.

Step 4: Toss pasta with sauce

Add the drained pasta to the lemon butter sauce. Toss to coat evenly, adding a bit of the reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce and help it cling to the noodles.

Step 5: Add Parmesan and season

Sprinkle in the grated Parmesan cheese and toss again. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

Step 6: Garnish and serve

Serve hot, topped with more Parmesan and optional fresh herbs like parsley or basil.

What Goes Well With Ina Garten Lemon Capellini

• Grilled shrimp or scallops – Seafood pairs beautifully with lemon
• Roast or grilled chicken – Keeps the meal light yet satisfying
• Sautéed spinach or asparagus – Adds a green, earthy note
• Garlic bread or focaccia – Perfect for soaking up the sauce
• Caprese salad or arugula salad – Fresh and contrasting
• Glass of Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio – A crisp match
• Roasted salmon – Complements the bright citrus flavors

Key Tips for Making Ina Garten Lemon Capellini

• Use fresh lemon juice and zest – Bottled lemon juice won’t give the same flavor
• Don’t overcook the pasta – Capellini cooks very fast
• Add pasta water gradually – Helps emulsify the sauce and adjust consistency
• Use real Parmesan – Grate it fresh for the best taste, and melt
• Toss the pasta while hot – It absorbs the sauce better
• Adjust lemon to taste – Add more juice or zest if you love it extra lemony
• Serve immediately – The delicate noodles are best fresh

Creative Variations of Ina Garten Lemon Capellini

• Add garlic or shallots – For a savory, aromatic base
• Stir in cream or mascarpone – For a richer, silkier sauce
• Toss in baby spinach or arugula – Adds nutrients and texture
• Include capers or olives – For briny Mediterranean flair
• Top with grilled vegetables – Like zucchini or bell peppers
• Add crushed red pepper flakes – For a gentle heat
• Sprinkle with toasted pine nuts – For crunch and nuttiness

Storage Guidelines for Ina Garten Lemon Capellini

• Refrigerate in an airtight container – Best within 2 days
• Add a splash of water or olive oil before storing – Prevents dryness
• Avoid freezing – Capellini becomes mushy when thawed
• Store cheese separately if possible – Reheat more cleanly

Reheating Tips for Ina Garten Lemon Capellini

• Stovetop: Reheat gently with a splash of water or broth – Toss until warmed through
• Microwave: Heat in short intervals, covered – Stir between each round
• Add fresh lemon juice before serving – Refreshes the flavor
• Top with fresh herbs or cheese – To revive freshness
• Avoid overcooking when reheating – Noodles can get soft fast

Nutritional Value (per serving, approx.)

• Calories: 360
• Protein: 10g
• Carbohydrates: 38g
• Fat: 20g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 1g
• Sodium: 320mg

A balanced, bright pasta dish with healthy fats and satisfying flavor.

FAQs

Can I use spaghetti instead of capellini for lemon capellini?

Yes, spaghetti can be used, but capellini (angel hair) has a finer texture that absorbs the lemon-butter sauce more evenly and cooks faster.

Why is pasta water added to lemon capellini?

Pasta water contains starch, which helps emulsify the sauce, allowing it to cling better to the noodles and giving the dish a smooth, glossy finish.

What proteins pair well with lemon capellini?

Grilled shrimp, salmon, scallops, or roasted chicken are excellent protein pairings that complement the citrusy flavor of the lemon capellini.

Can I make Ina Garten’s lemon capellini ahead of time?

Lemon capellini is best served fresh, but you can prep the sauce ahead and reheat it gently before tossing with just-cooked pasta for quick assembly.

Wrapping Up

Ina Garten’s Lemon Capellini is the definition of simple elegance. With just a handful of ingredients and minimal cooking time, it delivers maximum impact.

Keep this in your weekly rotation—you’ll be glad you did.

Print