Description
Zesty lemon caper pasta brings Mediterranean sunshine to your dinner table with tangy, bright flavors. Simple ingredients blend into a quick, elegant dish you’ll want to savor again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) pasta (spaghetti or linguine)
Sauce Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons (45 grams) butter
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon (8 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) reserved pasta water
- 1 teaspoon chicken soup base
- 2–3 tablespoons (30–45 milliliters) fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon capers, drained
Garnish:
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Fill a spacious pot with water, add a pinch of salt, and bring to a rolling boil at high heat.
- Submerge pasta into boiling water, cooking until perfectly tender, approximately 8-10 minutes. Carefully extract 1/2 cup of starchy cooking liquid before draining pasta.
- Warm a skillet over medium temperature, gently melt one portion of butter, then introduce minced garlic. Sauté until aromatic, roughly 60 seconds.
- Introduce remaining butter into the skillet, allowing it to melt completely. Dust flour evenly across the melted butter, whisking consistently for one minute to create a smooth base.
- Blend chicken soup base with reserved pasta water, then stream into the skillet. Continuously whisk until the mixture transforms into a silky, uniform sauce.
- Incorporate fresh lemon juice to elevate the flavor profile. Fold in briny capers and finely chopped parsley, seasoning with salt and cracked pepper to enhance taste.
- Allow sauce to simmer for two minutes, watching it gradually thicken and develop rich consistency. Delicately coat pasta with the fragrant sauce, ensuring every strand is generously dressed.
- Transfer to serving plates immediately, presenting a vibrant, zesty pasta dish bursting with Mediterranean-inspired flavors.
Notes
- Select firm, high-quality pasta like linguine or spaghetti to hold the delicate sauce perfectly.
- Toast capers briefly in the pan before adding sauce to enhance their briny, tangy flavor profile.
- Use fresh lemon juice instead of bottled for a brighter, more vibrant citrus taste that elevates the entire dish.
- Adjust sauce consistency by adding reserved pasta water if it becomes too thick, creating a silky smooth texture.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 56g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 30mg