Lemony Pasta with Capers is an easy recipe for a quick weeknight dinner

If I were still in school, I’d write a thesis paper titled: How Capers Can Take a Meal from 0 to 10. I recently tried capers for the first time, and I can’t believe it took me this long. Salty and delicious, they add a punch to so many foods that might be considered bland without them.

After I recognized my love for capers 27 years too late, I wondered what would happen if I combined them with my other favorite food: Pasta! The result was this Lemon Pasta with Capers dish that is ready in 20 minutes flat -- the same amount of time it takes me to wash my face and change from my daytime pajamas into my nighttime pajamas.

I don’t think I need to list the pros of making this dish, but I will anyway. First, the lemon and garlic will have your kitchen smelling better than any candle shop. Second, it’s made with just seven basic ingredients you likely already have on hand, which means no shopping for obscure groceries! Third, this recipe serves as a great base for a main meal or a side dish. I recommend adding grilled chicken or shrimp for some extra protein.

This meal encapsulates the perfect late summer day on my balcony with a good book. However, if we’re being honest, I’ll be eating it all year round. Serve with a crisp glass of white wine, a green salad and the Nancy Meyers Kitchen Playlist on Spotify in the background.

Equipment to make Lemony Pasta with Capers

• Dutch oven or similar heavy-bottomed pot
• A large skillet
• Cheese grater
• Garlic press
• Citrus juicer

This recipe previously published in the Miami Herald.

This story was originally published October 17, 2022 at 2:31 PM with the headline "Lemony Pasta with Capers is an easy recipe for a quick weeknight dinner."