Craving a sophisticated yet simple plant-based meal that's bursting with flavor? Look no further! This easy vegan lemon capers and seitan pasta delivers a delightful combination of savory, salty, and zesty notes, reminiscent of a classic piccata, all in a creamy Alfredo sauce. It's the perfect solution for a quick, delicious weeknight dinner that will impress everyone at the table, whether they're vegan or not.
This recipe showcases how versatile and exciting plant-based cooking can be. The star of the show, crispy fried capers, provides a unique textural and flavor pop, perfectly complementing the hearty seitan and luscious lemon Alfredo. As abillion user @iszy shared, these capers, usually reserved for carrot lox bagels, were "really great fried up with some homemade seitan and served with lemon peel alfredo on linguine." The combination was a hit, with one reviewer exclaiming, "Your dish looks delish!! 😋😋" and another confirming, "Thanks! It was perfect!"
Why You'll Love This Dish:
- Quick & Easy: Perfect for busy weeknights, ready in under 30 minutes.
- Flavorful & Unique: The crispy fried capers and zesty lemon Alfredo offer a fresh twist on traditional pasta dishes.
- Hearty & Satisfying: Homemade or store-bought seitan provides a satisfying, "vegan chicken" like texture.
- Dairy-Free Delight: Enjoy a rich, creamy sauce without any dairy.
Ingredients
- 12 oz (about 340g) linguine or your favorite pasta
- 1 tbsp olive oil or vegetable oil, plus more for frying
- 8 oz (about 225g) seitan, cut into bite-sized pieces or thin cutlets
- 2 tbsp capers, drained (or more, to taste)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup unsweetened plant milk (e.g., unsweetened almond milk or oat milk)
- 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)
Equipment
- Large pot for pasta
- Large skillet or frying pan
- Whisk
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package directions. Reserve about 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
- While the pasta cooks, heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seitan and cook until golden brown and slightly crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Remove seitan from the pan and set aside.
- Add a little more olive oil to the same skillet, if needed, and add the drained capers. Fry them for 2-3 minutes until they begin to crisp and "pop," then remove from the pan and set aside with the seitan.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Whisk in the plant milk and nutritional yeast. Cook, whisking constantly, until the sauce thickens slightly, about 2-3 minutes.
- Stir in the lemon zest and lemon juice. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water until desired consistency.
- Add the cooked linguine, seitan, and most of the fried capers back into the pan with the sauce. Toss to coat evenly.
- Serve immediately, garnished with the remaining crispy capers and fresh parsley, if using.
Variations & Adaptations
- Gluten-Free: Easily make this dish gluten-free by using your favorite gluten-free pasta and ensuring your seitan is certified gluten-free (some seitan contains wheat gluten).
- Protein Swap: Not a fan of seitan? Try pan-fried firm tofu or tempeh for a different texture.
- Add Veggies: Boost the nutrition and color by adding sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or steamed asparagus to the sauce.
- Spicy Kick: A pinch of red pepper flakes added with the garlic will give it a subtle heat.
Tips & Hacks for Success
- Crispy Capers: Ensure your capers are thoroughly drained and patted dry before frying. This helps them get truly crispy and prevents oil splattering. Don't overcrowd the pan.
- Homemade vs. Store-Bought Seitan: While homemade seitan offers a unique depth, store-bought seitan works perfectly for a quick meal. Look for brands with good texture and flavor.
- Creamy Sauce Consistency: If your Alfredo sauce is too thick, gradually add small amounts of the reserved pasta water until you reach your desired creaminess. This starchy water helps bind the sauce to the pasta.
Image Gallery
Dive into the deliciousness with these mouth-watering visuals of our Easy Vegan Lemon Capers & Seitan Pasta:
A vibrant dish of linguine coated in creamy lemon Alfredo, topped with golden-brown seitan and crispy capers, offering a fresh, zesty aroma.
Detail shot emphasizing the rich, creamy texture of the pasta sauce clinging to the linguine, with savory seitan pieces and bright capers.
Ready to try this incredible, easy vegan pasta? Whip up this Piccata-inspired dish tonight and share your creations on abillion! We love to see your culinary adventures.
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