Capellini with Garlic, Lemon and Parmesan

Name: Capellini with Garlic, Lemon and Parmesan
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 17 min
Ingredients: ½ pound capellini; 3 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter; 2 tablespoons minced shallots; 3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced; 1 lemon zested and juiced; salt and pepper to taste; lemon zest; red pepper flakes; grated Parmesan

A big bowl of garlic and lemon capellini pasta with a fork in it.

Our Capellini pasta with Garlic Lemon and Parmesan is one of those dishes that’s really satisfying. I love how this meal only requires a few basic ingredients, takes less than 30 minutes to pull together and is just so good.

You won’t miss the sauce in this dish because there’s so much delicious flavor going on! It’s the perfect busy weeknight meal for sure. We really love pairing this with a simple mixed green salad or some spicy arugula. You can also throw some grilled chicken or shrimp on top for something a make little heartier.

How to Make Capellini

Ingredients

Process

Start with salted boiling water in a large pot, and cook your capellini pasta for about 5 to 6 minutes, until al dente.
Reserve some pasta water, then drain pasta and set aside.
Melt butter in a large skillet. Sauté shallots and garlic until caramelized.
Add the pasta and pasta water, then toss together. Add lemon zest and lemon juice. Finish pasta with more lemon zest, red pepper flakes, and parmesan.

Jump to Recipe

Capellini pasta cooking in a pot of water. — Capellini cooks much quicker than other pastas because it’s so thin – it only takes about 5 minutes!

Sauted shallots and garlic in a skillet shot overhead with wooden spoon. — Sauté the shallots and garlic together in butter. This gives the dish all the delicious flavor.

Capellini pasta in a skillet with parmesan on top. — Toss the cooked Capellini pasta with the reserved pasta water, lemon zest, lemon juice. Then toss with red pepper flakes, parmesan, and more lemon zest.

Capellini FAQs

What is capellini?

It is a rod shaped, long strand Italian pasta that literally translates to “little hairs”.

Is capellini the same as angel hair pasta?

They are similar, but angel hair is thinner than capellini. Angel hair is a great substitute if you can’t find capellini at the grocery store.

Is capellini the same as thin spaghetti?

No. Capellini is thinner than thin spaghetti. It is also a great substitute if you can’t find capellini in the grocery store.

How do you cook capellini?

Just fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil. Add some salt and the pasta and cook until al dente. It’s a really thin pasta, so it doesn’t take long to cook at all, about 5 minutes.

Capellini with garlic lemon and parmesan on a blue plate with a fork and spoon.

Tips for Making Capellini with Garlic Lemon and Parmesan

Seasoning the pasta water with salt is very important. As the pasta absorbs the water when boiling, it will flavor the pasta internally. You’ll also need less salt in the overall dish.
Adding some of the starchy pasta water to the skillet will help to thicken the butter ‘non-sauce’ and nicely coat the pasta in the overall dish.
Using butter in this recipe instead of oil adds a subtly nutty flavor to the dish without having to worry about low smoke point since the heat doesn’t go above medium and the overall skillet cook time is relatively short.

I love how quickly this thin pasta cooks up and particularly love this brand. If you love this recipe, you should check out our other capellini based recipes that are equally simple and delicious:
–Garlic and Herb Capellini
–Smoked Salmon Pasta

Garlic and Herb Capellini pasta on plate with a fork and spoon next to it. — Garlic and Herb Capellini

Smoked salmon pasta in two bowls. — Smoked Salmon Pasta

Click here for our Pasta & Noodles Recipe Collection!

A close up shot of capellini in a spiral shape.

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Capellini with Garlic, Lemon and Parmesan

5 from 52 votes

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A simple and delicious recipe of Capellini pasta with Garlic Lemon and Parmesan is the perfect weeknight dinner that can be made in less than 30 minutes.

RECIPE BY Teri & Jenny

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 12

Total Time: 17

Servings: 4

INGREDIENTS

▢ ½ pound capellini
▢ 3 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter
▢ 2 tablespoons minced shallots
▢ 3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
▢ 1 lemon zested and juiced
▢ salt and pepper to taste

garnish

▢ lemon zest
▢ red pepper flakes
▢ grated Parmesan

INSTRUCTIONS

Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil.
Add a handful of salt followed by the pasta and boil for 5 to 6 minutes or until the pasta is cooked through.
Drain and set aside, Reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
Place a large skillet over medium heat and add butter. Once butter has melted add shallots and garlic and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes. Add pasta and pasta water and season with salt and pepper and toss together for 1 minute. Lower heat to medium. Add lemon zest and juice and continue to sauté for 2 minute. Finish pasta with additional lemon zest, a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes and a generous amount of freshly grated Parmesan. Toss together and serve.

NOTES

Is Capellini the same as angel hair or thin spaghetti? While similar, angel hair is actually thinner than capellini. Capellini is also thinner than thin spaghetti. Either would make a fine substitute.

Tips:

Seasoning the pasta water with salt is very important. As the pasta absorbs the water, when boiling, it will flavor the pasta internally. You’ll also need less salt in the overall dish.
Adding some of the starchy pasta water to the skillet will help to thicken the butter ‘non-sauce’ and nicely coat the pasta in the overall dish.
Using butter in this recipe instead of oil adds a subtly nutty flavor to the dish without having to worry about low smoke point since the heat doesn’t go above medium and the overall skillet cook time is relatively short.

Calories: 368kcal Carbohydrates: 46g Protein: 8g Fat: 17g Saturated Fat: 5g Cholesterol: 15mg Sodium: 6mg Potassium: 189mg Fiber: 3g Sugar: 3g Vitamin A: 175IU Vitamin C: 15mg Calcium: 23mg Iron: 1mg