This Lemon Fontina Capellini is the perfect dish when you’re craving something light, flavorful, and comforting. With its creamy fontina base, fresh lemon zest, and golden toasted breadcrumbs, this pasta dish offers a gourmet experience that’s deceptively simple to make. Ideal for weeknight dinners or a casual weekend treat, it fits right into the world of easy pasta recipes, quick and easy recipes, easy recipes for dinner, easy homemade recipes, vegetarian food recipes – easy and healthy, simple homemade sweets – easy recipes, and healthy and easy recipes.

1) Key Takeaways
2) Easy Lemon Fontina Capellini Recipe
3) Ingredients for Lemon Fontina Capellini
4) How to Make Lemon Fontina Capellini
5) Tips for Making Lemon Fontina Capellini
6) Making Lemon Fontina Capellini Ahead of Time
7) Storing Leftover Lemon Fontina Capellini
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9) Lemon Fontina Capellini
10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

This pasta recipe is creamy, lemony, and ideal for weeknight dinners.
It features a buttery sauce, two kinds of cheese, and crunchy panko topping.
Great option for easy pasta recipes that feel elevated.
Pairs well with a side salad or roasted vegetables.

2) Easy Lemon Fontina Capellini Recipe

If you’re searching for a vibrant and cozy dinner idea, this easy pasta recipe has your name on it. The Lemon Fontina Capellini combines creamy cheeses with citrusy zest and a touch of butter to create a restaurant-worthy meal in under 30 minutes. It’s everything we love in easy pasta recipes—comforting, fast, and made from simple pantry staples. The contrast of flavors and textures, from gooey melted cheese to the brightness of lemon and the crunch of panko breadcrumbs, makes it unforgettable. On clara Cooks (https://www.claracooks.com), we’re all about creating dishes that balance flavor and simplicity. Whether you’re in a dinner rush or just want something cozy and delicious, this pasta recipe has it all. It’s a go-to for quick and easy recipes and easy recipes for dinner. Plus, it’s meat-free, making it a favorite among vegetarian food recipes – easy and healthy.

3) Ingredients for Lemon Fontina Capellini

Capellini Pasta: A delicate, thin pasta (also called angel hair) that cooks in just a few minutes. Its light texture pairs beautifully with soft, creamy sauces and allows the lemon and cheese flavors to shine.

Unsalted Butter: Butter creates the luxurious base for the sauce and helps carry the lemon and cheese flavors across the entire dish.

Lemon (zest and juice): The lemon zest brightens the sauce while the juice adds acidity that balances the richness of the butter and cheese.

Fontina Cheese: Fontina is a semi-soft cheese that melts beautifully, providing a nutty, creamy backdrop in the sauce.

Mozzarella Cheese: Adds stretch and gooey texture to the dish, balancing Fontina’s more robust flavor.

Salt and Fresh Cracked Pepper: These basics are essential to enhancing the natural flavors of the dish and giving it a well-rounded finish.

Panko Breadcrumbs: Toasted in olive oil, they add a satisfying crunch that contrasts the creamy pasta texture perfectly.

Olive Oil: Used to toast the breadcrumbs and adds a fruity note that complements the lemon in the pasta.

Stracciatella (optional): A luxurious topping that adds extra creaminess and visual appeal when dolloped on top of the finished pasta.

Chopped Parsley or Basil (optional): These fresh herbs add color, aroma, and a touch of freshness to finish the dish.

4) How to Make Lemon Fontina Capellini

Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the capellini and cook until al dente, about 3 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water before draining the pasta. This water will help emulsify the sauce later.

Step 2: While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the panko breadcrumbs and toast, stirring frequently, until golden and crispy. This usually takes about 3–4 minutes. Set aside.

Step 3: In the same pot used for pasta, melt the butter over low heat. Add lemon zest, lemon juice, a pinch of salt, and black pepper. Stir until well combined and fragrant, about 1–2 minutes.

Step 4: Return the drained pasta to the pot and toss to coat in the lemon butter sauce. Add the Fontina and mozzarella cheeses and slowly pour in the reserved pasta water, stirring constantly until the cheeses melt into a creamy sauce.

Step 5: Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash more pasta water. Plate the pasta immediately while hot.

Step 6: Top each serving with a spoonful of stracciatella (if using), a sprinkle of toasted breadcrumbs, and fresh herbs for a beautiful finish. Serve and enjoy immediately.

5) Tips for Making Lemon Fontina Capellini

Make sure to cook your capellini just until al dente. Because it’s so thin, it can go from perfectly tender to overcooked very quickly. Always save a bit of your pasta water before draining—it’s key to creating that silky, restaurant-style sauce that clings to the noodles. For the best results with this easy pasta recipe, grate the Fontina cheese fresh from the block. Pre-shredded varieties often contain anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting. If you’re planning to serve this to guests, prepare your panko ahead of time so you can focus on the sauce when the pasta is ready. And don’t skip the lemon—it’s the magic ingredient that makes this dish shine. Those looking for healthy and easy recipes will appreciate that this dish can also be adapted with whole grain pasta or a dairy-free cheese substitute to fit different dietary needs.

6) Making Lemon Fontina Capellini Ahead of Time

Lemon Fontina Capellini is best served fresh, but there are a few ways you can prepare components ahead of time to save yourself some stress. The panko breadcrumbs can be toasted and stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also grate the cheeses and refrigerate them until you’re ready to cook. While we don’t recommend fully preparing the pasta in advance, you can pre-measure and set aside your ingredients to streamline the cooking process. If you really need to make it ahead of time, cook the pasta and toss it with a touch of olive oil to prevent sticking. Reheat gently in a skillet with a bit of water and the cheese mixture. Whether you’re hosting friends or prepping lunch, this recipe fits easily into your collection of easy homemade recipes.

7) Storing Leftover Lemon Fontina Capellini

Leftover Lemon Fontina Capellini can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days. To reheat, add a splash of water or milk to loosen the sauce, then warm it gently over medium-low heat on the stove or in the microwave. Avoid high heat, which can cause the cheese to separate and become greasy. The panko topping will lose some of its crunch after refrigeration, so consider toasting a fresh batch to revive the texture. For a delicious lunch or next-day dinner, simply refresh with a bit of lemon juice and serve with a fresh green salad. This makes it a convenient addition to any rotation of quick and easy recipes that don’t compromise on flavor.

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9) Lemon Fontina Capellini