This simple yet elegant Italian lemon pasta with olives and capers makes for a quick, flavorful, and satisfying dinner that your family will absolutely love!
This Italian lemon pasta with olives and capers is perfect for when you need something quick and light. It’s super easy to make with just a few simple ingredients, and it’s packed with fresh Mediterranean flavors.
Simple, delicious, and trust me, you’ll want to make it again and again!
The combination of zesty lemon, briny capers, and rich black olives creates a light, vibrant sauce that feels like sunshine on a plate.
Whether you’re making it for a quick weeknight dinner or a lazy weekend lunch, this Italian lemon pasta with olives and capers is ready in just 15 minutes!
The perfect Mediterranean dish: Italian lemon pasta with olives and capers
Before moving to Rome, I thought pasta was just noodles with tomato sauce and cheese. But I quickly realized it’s so much more! Authentic Italian pasta recipes are rich in flavor, steeped in tradition, and full of Mediterranean goodness.
When I got here, I discovered classic Italian pasta dishes are a world of their own – and I’ve been hooked ever since!
Whether it’s baked fusilli, spaghetti with meatballs, a cool pasta fredda, or light and zesty fusilli with capers and black olive pesto, every dish feels like home. Traditional Italian pasta recipes are all about using simple ingredients that come together to make something truly tasty.
I first tried this Pasta al limone with olives and capers at a friend’s house, and I was hooked right away. I never would’ve guessed that lemon, capers, and black olives would work so perfectly together! When these ingredients combine, they create a delicious lemony sauce that’s something between black olive pesto and tapenade.
Since then, this dish has become a family favorite. If you like easy pasta recipes, this one is exactly what you need!
My family loves this dish as is, but sometimes my husband likes to switch things up: he swaps regular butter for garlic butter – it adds so much flavor and makes it even more delicious!
Ingredients
For 2 servings:
- 8oz (200g) pasta (penne, fusilli, spaghetti, or any other variety of your choice)
- 4oz (100g) black olives
- 2Tbsp olive oil
- ½ Tbsp capers
- 1 ½ Tbsp (20g) butter, at room temperature
- grated zest of half a lemon
- juice of half a lemon
- a pinch of salt
- a pinch of freshly ground black pepper
- 2Tbsp grated Parmesan (or any other cheese of your choice)
How to make Italian lemon pasta with olives and capers
- Prepare the black olive pesto sauce. In a blender, combine black olives and capers, then blend until smooth to create a rich, flavorful pesto.
2. Add the remaining ingredients. Toss in room-temperature butter, grated lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Blend everything together until smooth and well-combined.
3. Cook the pasta. Boil the pasta until “al dente.” Once cooked, toss the pasta with the prepared Italian lemon pesto sauce.
4. Serve. Sprinkle with grated cheese for an extra burst of flavor, and voilà! Your Italian lemon pasta with olives and capers is ready to enjoy!
Tips for the best Italian lemon pasta with olives and capers
Here are a few simple tips to make your lemon pasta with capers and olives even better:
- Lemon: Remember to zest the lemons before juicing them. If you don’t have lemons, limes work just as well.
- Pasta: This black olive pasta recipe works great with any type of noodles – spaghetti, linguine, fettuccine, fusilli, or penne. Whole wheat flour pasta works great too. For a gluten-free version, try rice or chickpea noodles.
- Olives: We usually use regular pitted black olives, but Kalamata olives are also a great choice for the black olive pesto.
- Capers: If you’re using brined capers, you can toss them right in. If you’re using salted capers, be sure to rinse them first.
- Save a bit of cooking liquid: Keep a few spoons of the cooking liquid – it helps emulsify the sauce and gives it a nice texture.
Recipe variations for Italian lemon pasta with olives and capers
- Add crunch: We love sautéing a garlic clove in olive oil, then removing it. We toast 2 Tbsp of breadcrumbs in the same oil and sprinkle them on top for a great crunch.
- Fresh herbs: Fresh basil, parsley, or mint are perfect for topping this classic Italian dish.
- Add some nuts: We like to add toasted pine nuts or almonds for a little texture and extra flavor.
- Add heat: A pinch of red pepper flakes or paprika gives it just the right kick.
- Mix olives: Use a mix of black and green olives for deeper flavor.
What to serve lemon caper pasta with
- Mediterranean Summer Salad – A fresh salad that pairs perfectly with lemon pasta with capers and olives.
- Cheesy Baked Asparagus – A light, cheesy side that complements this dish.
- Mediterranean Bread – A warm, crusty bread made with sun-dried tomatoes and olives, perfect for soaking up any extra sauce.
- Protein Additions – For extra protein, try seared chicken, homemade fennel sausage, crispy chickpeas, or a delicious tuna steak.
- Wine pairing – Enjoy with a glass of white wine for the perfect meal!
FAQ
What can you use instead of capers in Italian lemon olive pasta?
If you don’t have capers, you can substitute them with pickled anchovies, or you can skip them entirely. However, keep in mind that this may affect the dish’s signature briny flavor.
What type of pasta is best for this recipe?
You can use any type for this recipe – penne, fusilli, spaghetti, or even gluten-free or whole wheat noodles if you prefer. The beauty of this Italian lemon pasta with olives and capers is its versatility.
Can I make the black olive pesto sauce in advance?
Yes, absolutely! The black olive pesto sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 2 days, making it even easier to prepare your Mediterranean pasta with olives on busy days.
Get creative in the kitchen! Try new flavors, explore more Mediterranean dishes, and enjoy the amazing aromas. Italian lemon pasta with olives and capers is a great way to start your Mediterranean cooking adventure. I hope your family loves it as much as mine does.
Let me know in the comments!
Easy Italian lemon pasta with olives and capers
Ingredients
- 8 oz (200g) pasta (penne, fusilli, spaghetti, or any other variety of your choice)
- 4 oz (100g) black olives
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 ½ Tbsp capers
- 1 ½ Tbsp (20g) butter at room temperature at room temperature
- grated zest of half a lemon
juice of half a lemon
- a pinch of salt
- a pinch of freshly ground black pepper
- 2 Tbsp grated Parmesan (or any other cheese of your choice)
Instructions
- Prepare the black olive pesto sauce. In a blender, combine black olives and capers, then blend until smooth to create a rich, flavorful pesto.
- Add the remaining ingredients. Toss in room-temperature butter, grated lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Blend everything together until smooth and well-combined.
- Cook the pasta. Boil the pasta until “al dente.” Once cooked, toss the pasta with the prepared Italian lemon pesto sauce.
- Serve. Sprinkle with grated cheese for an extra burst of flavor, and voilà! Your Italian lemon pasta with olives and capers is ready to enjoy!
Notes
Tips for the best Italian lemon pasta with olives and capers
Here are a few simple tips to make your lemon pasta with capers and olives even better:
- Lemon: Remember to zest the lemons before juicing them. If you don’t have lemons, limes work just as well.
- Pasta: This black olive pasta recipe works great with any type of noodles – spaghetti, linguine, fettuccine, fusilli, or penne. For a gluten-free version, try rice or chickpea pasta.
- Olives: We usually use regular pitted black olives, but Kalamata olives are also a great choice for the black olive pesto.
- Capers: If you’re using brined capers, you can toss them right in. If you’re using salted capers, be sure to rinse them first.
- Save a bit of cooking liquid: Keep a few spoons of the cooking liquid – it helps emulsify the sauce and gives it a nice texture.your sauce. This will give your Mediterranean pasta with olives added depth and richness.
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