12 Angel Hair Pasta Recipes

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Not to be confused with spaghetti, angel hair is a pasta shape with a profile of its own. Called "capellini" in Italy, angel hair has been a staple in Italian cuisine since its first appearance in the 14th century. Now beloved in many countries and by many cultures, the wonders of angel hair are many. Because of its thinness, it cooks quickly—sometimes in as little as two minutes. It's a delicate pasta, that's perfect for light sauces and even tastes great cold in the summertime.

While angel hair is widely accessible and popular, it's also known for being a polarizing pasta type. Some compare it unfavorably to linguine, spaghetti, and bucatini—but angel hair dissenters are missing out on a pasta that twirls beautifully and easily around the tines of a fork. The thin strands absorb sauce like few other pastas can, and eating angel hair has a textured mouthfeel that is delightful and unique.

Our favorite angel hair pasta recipes feature simple sauces and quick cooking times—they prove that it's the perfect noodle to cook all year long.

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Angel Hair Pasta With Black Truffles

Black Truffle Angel Hair Pasta — Dana Gallagher

Take an already elegant shape to the next level with this simple black truffle sauce. The thin pasta really lets the flavors of the truffle shine—and the entire recipe comes together with just three ingredients.

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Capellini With Shrimp, Peppers, and Salami

Using cured meats like salami in pasta dishes is an instant shortcut to tons of flavor. This angel hair pasta recipe calls for bell peppers for sweetness and pepperoncini for tang and bite.

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Lettuce Bundles With Spicy Peanut Noodles

Vermicelli or soba noodles are typical for a cold, peanutty salad enclosed in a lettuce bundle, but angel hair is a fantastic substitute that is found easily at any grocery store. Perfect for a summer party, lay out all the ingredients and allow your guests to make their own wraps.

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Chicken With Artichokes and Angel Hair

This recipe leans on pantry staples and chicken to create a comforting dish that derives slightly from picatta. No need for tedious artichoke prep here—jarred artichokes are a convenient and delicious alternative.

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Rice Pilaf With Vermicelli

For this recipe, don't be concerned if some of your angel hair has broken in the package. In fact, lean into it: Mixing broken angel hair with rice in this pilaf makes for a dynamic and interesting dish that emulates the boxed classic—and perfectly accompanies grilled fish, chicken, and so much more.

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Easy Chicken Noodle Soup

chicken noodle soup in bowl — Romulo Yanes

This simple soup is even easier thanks to quick-cooking angel hair made directly in the broth. It's especially great for kids; the noodles are broken up into smaller pieces, making them easy to eat with a spoon.

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Pasta With Mint Pesto and Fava

Although this recipe calls for mint, feel free to substitute other herbs you have on hand for a versatile pesto that will serve you well beyond angel hair. If fresh favas are hard to come by, check the freezer section for frozen ones—but lima beans or even peas work, too. To make this a heartier meal, add chicken or turkey meatballs; they add heft but still keep it light and fresh.

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Capellini With Chive Blossoms and Crème Fraîche

Capellini with Chive Blossoms and CrÃ¨me FraÃ®che

This simple dish with elevated ingredients can be a showstopper in the springtime when chive blossoms are abundant. Crème fraîche is an extra luscious alternative to yogurt or sour cream, but either work in a pinch if crème fraîche is unavailable.

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Angel-Hair Pasta With Sauteed Oysters and Chorizo

Inspired by flavors of Spain, this recipe combines sweet oysters with piquant chorizo and bacon for smokiness. Angel hair plays the role of fideos, and a bit of sherry and orange zest lend depth and dimension.

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Lemony Shrimp Scampi

A quick-cooking pasta like angel hair deserves a quick-cooking protein. Enter: shrimp, which stars in this classic scampi recipe brightened with plenty of lemon and fresh herbs.

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Ina's Lemon Capellini With Caviar

Plenty of good butter helps showcase the richness of this special occasion dish, which gives caviar a new home beyond just blinis and baked potatoes. Use the best caviar you can afford, but either way, your guests will be impressed at this simple but stunning presentation of a classic Ina Garten recipe.

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