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    Home » Recipes » Pasta

    Easy Angel Hair Pasta with Garlic, Herbs & Parmesan

    Published: Feb 10, 2022 · Modified: Jun 23, 2022 by Beth Sachs · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases · 5 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Angel hair pasta recipe pin image.

    This easy angel hair pasta recipe is comfort food on a plate! Capellini (aka angel hair) is coated in a creamy sauce made with Italian olive oil, cream, and garlic, with fresh herbs and grated Parmesan cheese finishing the dish to perfection.

    It's quick (just ten minutes!), delicious, and the perfect easy recipe for busy weeknights! It's also great as a simple side dish for garlic butter chicken, or honey glazed air fryer salmon.

    Angel hair pasta with garlic and herbs.
    Creamy Angel Hair Pasta

    This creamy pasta recipe is a regular in our house (even the picky eaters love it), and is perfect for an easy dinner! It's so simple to make, but packs a real punch in flavour!

    Use whatever fresh herbs you have. I like a mixture of parsley and basil!

    👩‍🍳 Love creamy pasta recipes? You'll also love this creamy sweet potato pasta too!

    Jump to:
    • ✔️ Why you'll love this recipe!
    • What is angel hair pasta
    • 🛒 Ingredient notes
    • 🔪 How to make creamy angel hair pasta
    • 💭 Expert tips
    • 🍴 Serving suggestions
    • 📖 Variations
    • 🥡 Storage
    • ❓ Frequently asked questions
    • 😋 More easy pasta recipes to try
    • Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    ✔️ Why you'll love this recipe!

    • Quick and easy pasta recipe
    • Serve as a light main course, or side dish for chicken, salmon or vegetables.
    • Vary the herbs depending what's in your garden/fridge
    • Add in cooked chicken, smoked salmon, or roasted vegetables for a heartier meal.

    What is angel hair pasta

    Angel hair pasta, otherwise known as capellini, is an extra-thin pasta sold in long strands. Basically, it's a skinny version of spaghetti and because it's so thin, it cooks really quickly!

    If you can't find it, you can substitute it with vermicelli, which is only slightly thicker, but still much thinner than regular spaghetti!

    🛒 Ingredient notes

    Ingredients for angel hair pasta recipe.
    • Angel Hair Pasta - also known as capellini. You can substitute with vermicelli, which is only slightly thicker. Use wholewheat pasta if you prefer.
    • Olive Oil - if you have extra-virgin olive oil, use that!
    • Butter - unsalted is best.
    • Garlic - 2 cloves, peeled and chopped finely. If you really love garlic, use 3 cloves!
    • Double Cream (heavy cream) - for a lighter dish use creme fraiche.
    • Herbs - fresh basil and fresh parsley. You could use other soft fresh herbs such as dill!
    • Parmesan - freshly grated.

    🔪 How to make creamy angel hair pasta

    The recipe card with ingredient quantities and detailed instructions can be found at the bottom of the post

    One: In a frying pan or large skillet, heat the olive oil and butter until the butter has melted.

    At the same time, bring a pan of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions (al dente should take 3-4 minutes). Reserve a cup of cooking water in a mug before draining the pasta. Set aside.

    Two: Add the chopped garlic cloves to the melted butter and oil and cook on a low medium heat (you don't want the garlic to burn) for 2 minutes.

    Three: Stir in the double cream until the sauce is combined (you might find a whisk helpful here).

    Four: Add the cooked pasta, grated parmesan, and fresh herbs to the pan, along with a splash of the reserved pasta water. Stir it all together and add more reserved pasta water until you get a silky glossy sauce. Garnish with more chopped herbs and grated Parmesan before serving in warm bowls.

    Making the creamy garlic and herb sauce for the angel hair pasta.

    💭 Expert tips

    • Remember that angel hair pasta is very thin, so it wont take long to cook. You want it to still have a bit of bite (al dente).
    • Use freshly grated Parmesan if you can. Pre-grated Parmesan is usually coated in anti caking agents which will affect the texture of the sauce.
    • Don't skip the salt in the pasta water. An Italian (or was it Nigella?) once told me that pasta water should be as salty as the mediterranean...and that's pretty salty!
    • If you don't have fresh herbs to hand, use a teaspoon of dried Italian seasoning instead.

    💡 Pro Tip - if you can't get hold of angel hair pasta, use vermicelli, linguine, or spaghetti, instead.

    🍴 Serving suggestions

    Serve the angel hair pasta just as it is for a light meal for 2.

    I often serve it as a side dish to air fryer whole chicken or slow cooker hunters chicken.

    It's also great with pizza bianca or garlic bread for an Italian-inspired romantic dinner for two!

    A pan of angel hair pasta.

    📖 Variations

    Try these easy ideas to customize your pasta recipe!

    • Angel hair pasta with chicken (use leftover roast chicken or rotisserie chicken).
    • You could also add in things like garlic butter shrimp, scallops, flaked salmon, or bacon bits, leftover roasted veggies, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, olives, and even toasted pine nuts to make the dish into a mouthwatering meal!
    • Love your food spicy? Add a chopped red chilli at the same time as the garlic and sprinkle with red pepper flakes at the end of cooking.
    • Top with chopped cherry tomatoes for a splash of colour.
    • Grate over a little lemon zest for some zing!
    • Serve the angel hair pasta with homemade basil pesto, or a creamy tomato sauce instead!

    🥡 Storage

    Pasta is best eaten fresh, straight from the pan! But if you do have leftovers, don't panic!

    To Store: Place the pasta in an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days.

    To Reheat: Reheat the pasta in the microwave until piping hot. Serve with more freshly grated Parmesan.

    To Freeze: Place the cooled pasta in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost in the fridge before reheating in the microwave.

    Cooked angel hair pasta in a red pan.

    ❓ Frequently asked questions

    What is angel hair pasta good for?

    Angel hair pasta is long and really thin so it is best suited to light and delicate oil-based sauces e.g. pesto.

    How long does angel hair pasta take to cook?

    As angle hair pasta is much thinner than spaghetti, it requires less cooking time. For perfect al-dente angel hair pasta, start checking it after 3 minutes!

    What is the difference between angel hair pasta and linguine?

    Linguine means 'little tongues' in Italian. Linguine strands are flatter and wider than angel hair pasta, which is round.

    😋 More easy pasta recipes to try

    • Creamy Paprika Chicken Pasta
    • Pepperoni Pizza Pasta Bake
    • Boursin Pasta
    • Creamy Bacon and Pumpkin Pasta
    • Rasta Pasta
    • Chilli Chorizo Pasta

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    Recipe

    Angel hair pasta.
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    5 from 4 votes

    Easy Angel Hair Pasta with Garlic & Herbs

    This easy angel hair pasta recipe is comfort food on a plate! Capellini (aka angel hair) is coated in a creamy sauce made with Italian olive oil, cream, and garlic, with fresh herbs and grated Parmesan cheese finishing the dish to perfection.
    Course Pasta
    Cuisine Italian
    Keyword angel hair pasta recipe, angel hair pasta with garlic and herbs, creamy angel hair pasta, easy angel hair pasta
    Prep Time 5 minutes
    Cook Time 5 minutes
    Total Time 10 minutes
    Servings 2
    Calories 809kcal
    Author Beth Sachs
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • Chopping Board
    • Knife
    • Measuring Jug
    • Frying Pan
    • Saucepan

    Ingredients

    Metric - US Customary
    • 250 g Angel Hair Pasta or substitute with vermicelli
    • 1 tablespoon Olive Oil extra-virgin if you can!
    • 1 tablespoon Butter unsalted
    • 2 Garlic Cloves peeled and finely chopped
    • 100 ml Double Cream
    • 1 tablespoon Fresh Basil chopped
    • 1 tablespoon Fresh Parsley chopped
    • 30 g Parmesan grated
    • ½ teaspoon Salt
    • ¼ teaspoon Pepper

    Instructions

    • Bring a pan of salted water to a boil and cook the angel hair pasta according to package instructions (al dente should take 3-4 minutes). Reserve a cup of cooking water in a mug before draining the pasta. Set aside.
      250 g Angel Hair Pasta
    • In a frying pan or large skillet, heat the olive oil and butter until the butter has melted.
      1 tablespoon Olive Oil, 1 tablespoon Butter
    • Add the chopped garlic cloves to the melted butter and oil and cook on a low medium heat (you don't want the garlic to burn) for 2 minutes.
      2 Garlic Cloves
    • Stir in the double cream until the sauce is combined (you might find a whisk helpful here).
      100 ml Double Cream
    • Add the cooked angel hair pasta, grated parmesan, and fresh herbs to the pan, along with a splash of the reserved pasta water. Stir it all together and add more reserved pasta water until you get a silky glossy sauce. Season with salt and pepper before serving.
      1 tablespoon Fresh Basil, 1 tablespoon Fresh Parsley, 30 g Parmesan, ½ teaspoon Salt, ¼ teaspoon Pepper

    Notes

    Expert Tips
    • Remember that angel hair pasta is very thin, so it won't take long to cook. You want it to still have a bit of bite (al dente).
    • Use freshly grated Parmesan if you can. Pre-grated Parmesan is usually coated in anti-caking agents which will affect the texture of the sauce.
    • Don't skip the salt in the pasta water. An Italian (or was it Nigella?) once told me that pasta water should be as salty as the Mediterranean...and that's pretty salty!
    • If you don't have fresh herbs to hand, use a teaspoon of dried Italian seasoning instead.
     
    Variations:
    Try these easy ideas to customize your pasta recipe!
    • Angel hair pasta with chicken (use leftover roast chicken or rotisserie chicken).
    • You could also add in things like garlic butter shrimp, scallops, flaked salmon, or bacon bits, leftover roasted veggies, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, olives, and even toasted pine nuts to make the dish into a mouthwatering meal!
    • Love your food spicy? Add a chopped red chilli at the same time as the garlic and sprinkle with red pepper flakes at the end of cooking.
    • Top with chopped cherry tomatoes for a splash of colour.
     
    Storage:
    To Store: Place the pasta in an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days.
    To Reheat: Reheat the pasta in the microwave until piping hot. Serve with more freshly grated Parmesan.
    To Freeze: Place the cooled pasta in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost in the fridge before reheating in the microwave.
     
    Nutrition:
    The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
    Nutrition Facts
    Easy Angel Hair Pasta with Garlic & Herbs
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    809
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    35
    g
    54
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    16
    g
    100
    %
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    2
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    12
    g
    Cholesterol
     
    79
    mg
    26
    %
    Sodium
     
    850
    mg
    37
    %
    Potassium
     
    365
    mg
    10
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    99
    g
    33
    %
    Fiber
     
    4
    g
    17
    %
    Sugar
     
    4
    g
    4
    %
    Protein
     
    25
    g
    50
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    1079
    IU
    22
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    4
    mg
    5
    %
    Calcium
     
    258
    mg
    26
    %
    Iron
     
    2
    mg
    11
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Tried this recipe?Snap a pic and tag @effortlessf00d on Instagram or Twitter

    More Easy Pasta Recipes

    • Easy Air Fryer Mac and Cheese Recipe
    • Cheesy Slow Cooker Tortellini Recipe
    • Cheesy Leftover Turkey Pasta Bake Recipe
    • Easy Leftover Gammon & Pea Pasta Recipe

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Hayley Dhanecha

      February 10, 2022 at 1:33 pm

      5 stars
      Garlic and cream in pasta recipes go so well, one of my favourite combination! Such a delicious recipe.

      Reply
    2. sue

      February 10, 2022 at 1:47 pm

      5 stars
      I love how quickly this all comes together, great recipe!

      Reply
    3. Jessica Stroup

      February 10, 2022 at 1:51 pm

      5 stars
      Such a great recipe! This is going to be a big hit at dinner tonight!

      Reply
    4. Gloria

      February 10, 2022 at 2:10 pm

      This pasta recipe is simple and delicous. Love the fact it is not covered in a heavy meat sauce.

      Reply
    5. Savita

      February 10, 2022 at 3:03 pm

      5 stars
      The pasta looks so creamy and delicious. Can't wait to give it a try.

      Reply

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    Beth Sachs Food Blogger

    Hi, I’m Beth, a Mum of three (and one crazy dog), living in Cornwall, UK. I love creating easy, delicious and fuss-free recipes, perfect for busy families, just like my own.

    More about me →

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