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ByMaria Yagoda
Taste of Home's Editorial Process
Updated: Jun. 20, 2024
Thin angel hair pasta is the star ingredient in many light noodle dishes. These are our favorite ways to use the delicate pasta.
Angel hair is one of the most delicate pastas—even thinner than capellini—which is why it’s so often served aglio e olio style or just simply with butter. It will always make light sauces stand out, so it’s best to skip heavy sauces here.
These angel hair pasta recipes prove that the noodle can adapt to pretty much any flavor profile. Beyond Italian recipes, you’ll find a spicy Singapore noodle soup and comforting sopa de fideo. Even better, the thin strands cook much faster than other dried pasta shapes, making them a perfect choice for quick weeknight dinners. Use angel hair on your next pasta night!
1/20
Asparagus 'n' Shrimp with Angel Hair
Total Time: 30 minutes
Main Ingredients: Angel hair, shrimp, asparagus, mushrooms
Level: Beginner
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Fragrant garlic and lots of verdant herbs bring this springy angel hair dish to life. Use any type of shrimp you can find at the supermarket, and make sure your asparagus has springy stalks that snap (avoid them if they’re bendy).
“We’ve all heard that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, so when I plan a romantic dinner, this shrimp asparagus pasta with angel hair is one dish I like to serve. It is easy on the budget and turns out perfectly for two.” —Recipe contributor Shari Neff, Takoma Park, Maryland
2/20
Lemony Scallops with Angel Hair Pasta
Total Time: 25 minutes
Main Ingredients: Angel hair, scallops, radishes, lemon
Level: Beginner
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While we love making radish recipes in the spring, there are different varieties available year round. That makes this dish a winner anytime you want to impress guests on the fly. Even radish skeptics will find that slices of the slightly bitter root vegetable make the perfect counterpart to rich, buttery sea scallops in this pasta entree.
“This delicate dish tastes so bright with a touch of lemon and tender sauteed scallops. Serve with crusty whole grain bread, and you have an impressive dinner that comes together in a flash.” —Recipe contributor Thomas fa*glon, Somerset, New Jersey
3/20
Copycat Cheesecake Factory Shrimp Scampi
Total Time: 30 minutes
Main Ingredients: Angel hair, Parmesan, shrimp, butter, olive oil, shallot, garlic, white wine, heavy cream
Level: Beginner
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This creamy, zesty shrimp scampi is further proof that The Cheesecake Factory copycat recipes are an amazing way to enjoy restaurant-level food at home. The white wine thins out the heavy cream so it doesn’t overpower the angel hair, and the garlic and shallot add wonderful aromatics.
“Make this simply elegant recipe with a dry white wine, or chicken broth and lemon juice if you don’t want to open a new bottle. Plate it as they do at the restaurant by arranging the shrimp around a mound of angel hair pasta.” —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
4/20
Lemon Chicken Pasta
Total Time: 45 minutes
Main Ingredients: Chicken breast, angel hair, olive oil, garlic, lemon
Level: Intermediate
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Because this rich, garlicky sauce calls for a whopping 12 cloves, we highly recommend using fresh garlic. When choosing a white wine to cook with, a good rule of thumb is to use something that you’d like to drink with the dish.
“My grandmother made chicken wings and served them over rice. To speed things up, I cook lemony chicken breasts and serve them over capellini pasta.” —Recipe contributor Aileen Rivera, Bronx, New York
5/20
Total Time: 55 minutes
Main Ingredients: Butter, onion, garlic, grape tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, bacon, Parmesan, angel hair
Level: Beginner
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Sweet, buttery caramelized onions practically melt into this tasty angel hair dish, which gets a touch of smokiness from crumbled bacon. Serve this with lots of Parmesan cheese and fresh basil.
“This full-flavored recipe is the result of my mother’s love of pasta and our love of cooking together. With a bit of pepper heat and smoky bacon, the entree is excellent alone or paired with grilled chicken.” —Recipe contributor Lacy Jo Matheson, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan
6/20
Total Time: 30 minutes
Main Ingredients: Shrimp, scallops, butter, mushrooms, peas, shallots, white wine or chicken broth, angel hair
Level: Beginner
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A 30-minute pasta recipe with succulent seafood and fragrant garlic? Count us in. Frozen peas add the perfect pop of brightness, and mushrooms bring an umami earthiness.
“I created this tempting seafood pasta for my wife. It’s a terrific meal served with crusty sourdough. If you don’t like spice, skip the red pepper flakes.” —Recipe contributor George Levinthal, Goleta, California
7/20
Shrimp Piccata
Total Time: 25 minutes
Main Ingredients: Angel hair, shallots, garlic, olive oil, shrimp, chicken broth, white wine, cornstarch, lemon, capers, parsley
Level: Beginner
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Go all in on the Italian theme and serve this lemony, luscious shrimp angel hair with Tuscan-style roasted asparagus and crusty homemade focaccia. If you’d like to up the decadence factor, work some butter or heavy cream into the shrimp sauce and impress everyone at your table.
“I serve this easy shrimp piccata recipe with crusty French bread and asparagus.” —Recipe contributor Holly Bauer, West Bend, Wisconsin
8/20
Italian Shrimp and Pasta
Total Time: 45 minutes
Main Ingredients: Garlic, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, shrimp, angel hair
Level: Beginner
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What could be more satisfying than a bowl of angel hair with red sauce? A bowl of angel hair with red sauce and shrimp. This robust pasta dish is lovely as is, but you could swap in white wine for the chicken broth for an extra hit of acidity.
“We like pasta with Italian tomato sauces, and this recipe is one we make often. It’s heavy on the shrimp and light on the pasta, and that’s the way we like it. We can remember when shrimp was unheard of in our budget, so I guess we’re making up for it now!” —Recipe contributor Frank Fader, Payson, Arizona
9/20
Total Time: 30 minutes
Main Ingredients: Sausage, onion, chicken broth, angel hair, spinach, heavy cream
Level: Beginner
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With spinach and hearty sliced Italian sausage, this creamy angel hair is a perfectly-balanced meal. It can easily be made vegetarian without the sausage—try earthy sliced mushrooms instead—and by using homemade vegetable broth or white wine instead of chicken stock.
“You won’t miss the marinara sauce once you taste this pasta dish flavored with chicken broth and Italian sausage. The sauce simmers away on its own, without much work on your part. My husband likes it so much that I make it twice a week.” —Recipe contributor Daphine Smith, Baytown, Texas
10/20
Shrimp 'n' Noodle Bowls
Total Time: 25 minutes
Main Ingredients: Angel hair, cooked shrimp, broccoli coleslaw mix, green onions, cilantro, sesame ginger dressing
Level: Beginner
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Delicate angel hair makes the perfect cold noodle for a crunchy, tangy shrimp salad. It comes together in no time at all, thanks to broccoli coleslaw mix, pre-cooked shrimp and sesame ginger dressing.
“Here’s a quick meal that feels as if it came from a restaurant. Cooked shrimp, bagged slaw and bottled dressing reduce the time needed to get it on the table.” —Recipe contributor Mary Bergfeld, Eugene, Oregon
11/20
Total Time: 30 minutes
Main Ingredients: Angel hair, boneless skinless chicken breast, baby spinach, dried cherries, Parmesan, pecans, pine nuts
Level: Beginner
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If you haven’t added dried cherries to your pasta before, we’re about to blow your mind. This unique angel hair dish is packed with fantastic texture from crunchy pecans, pine nuts and chewy cherries, plus lots of Parmesan cheese and delicate baby spinach. Nutmeg is the secret ingredient (as it so often is).
“Nutmeg and cherries are the new ‘it’ pair. It’s the secret something that really makes this angel hair pasta dish. My vegetarian friend likes it just as well without chicken.” —Recipe contributor Mary Ann Sander, Centralia, Missouri
12/20
Shrimp Pasta Primavera
Total Time: 15 minutes
Main Ingredients: Angel hair, shrimp, asparagus, garlic, mushrooms, chicken broth, tomatoes, Parmesan
Level: Beginner
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This bright, well-rounded angel hair dish features many of our favorite ingredients, like crisp green asparagus, shrimp, chopped tomatoes and so many fresh herbs. Use frozen vegetables like snappy green peas if you don’t have asparagus on hand.
“They say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. So when I invite that special guy to dinner, I like to prepare something equally wonderful. This well-seasoned pasta dish has lots of flavor, and it won’t hurt your budget!” —Recipe contributor Shari Neff, Takoma Park, Maryland
13/20
Angel Hair Pasta with Chicken
Total Time: 20 minutes
Main Ingredients: Angel hair, boneless skinless chicken breast, olive oil, carrots, broccoli, garlic, chicken broth, Parmesan, basil
Level: Beginner
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This well-balanced, quick pasta dinner would go perfectly with a simple Italian salad and some crunchy tomato bruschetta. This recipe calls for Parmesan cheese, but you could also go with nutty pecorino Romano or even grated ricotta salata.
“If you want to put something on the table that’ll give you time to spare on busy nights, give this delicious angel hair pasta with chicken a try. From start to finish, you’re only 20 minutes away from a vibrantly colored meal!” —Recipe contributor Margaret Wilson, Sun City, California
14/20
Grilled Asian Chicken Pasta Salad
Total Time: 35 minutes + marinating
Main Ingredients: Lime, soy sauce, gingerroot, boneless skinless chicken breast, angel hair
Level: Beginner
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Cold angel hair noodles mixed with grilled chicken, crunchy vegetables and lots of fresh herbs makes the ultimate summer dinner (and the best leftovers). To make it vegetarian, swap in crispy baked tofu or nutty tempeh for the chicken breasts.
“This cool noodle salad makes a great casual one-bowl dinner or a perfect dish for a potluck or buffet.” —Recipe contributor Sharon Tipton, Casselberry, Florida
15/20
Speedy Chicken Marsala
Total Time: 30 minutes
Main Ingredients: Angel hair, boneless skinless chicken breasts, mushrooms, dry Marsala wine
Level: Beginner
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Dry Marsala wine is one of our go-to cooking wines when making a richly flavored pan sauce. Angel hair is the ideal noodle to get drenched in garlicky, earthy Marsala sauce. While we never tire of chicken breast recipes, we also love switching things up with turkey marsala.
“This is one of my favorite dishes to order in restaurants, so I created a version that I could make in a flash on a weeknight at home.” —Recipe contributor Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho
16/20
Sopa de Fideo (Mexican Noodle Soup)
Total Time: 35 minutes
Main Ingredients: Angel hair, diced tomatoes, onion, garlic, chicken broth, cilantro
Level: Intermediate
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With an aromatic tomato broth and lots of silky noodles, this soul-warming Mexican soup will become a family favorite. Breaking the angel hair into smaller pieces and then toasting them before preparing the soup gives them a wonderful golden color and caramelized flavor.
“Mexican noodle soup is a breeze to make with a handful of pantry staples. It’s ideal for busy weeknights when you’re looking for something simple.” —Recipe contributor Alexandra Shytsman
17/20
Pork Pancit
Total Time: 30 minutes
Main Ingredients: Angel hair, pork chops, shredded cabbage, carrot, snow peas
Level: Beginner
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This beloved Filipino dish is packed with vibrant vegetables, strips of caramelized pork and your favorite thin noodle of choice—either vermicelli or angel hair. If you’re starting with frozen meat, here’s how to thaw pork chops safely.
“A dear Filipino friend gave me a pork pancit recipe so tempting, we never have leftovers. Try it with meats like chicken, sausage or Spam.” —Recipe contributor Priscilla Gilbert, Indian Harbour Beach, Florida
18/20
Singapore Noodle Soup
Total Time: 40 minutes
Main Ingredients: Seafood stock, coconut milk, gingerroot, curry paste, fish sauce or soy sauce, frozen stir-fry vegetables, shrimp, angel hair
Level: Beginner
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In this no-fuss twist on laksa, thin noodles swim in a rich, chile-scented seafood broth with succulent shrimp and colorful vegetables. If you’re a fan of heat, finish the soup with a swirl of spicy chili crisp before serving.
“This spicy noodle dish is a beloved favorite in Southeast Asia, especially Singapore, where it is called laska. It is perfect for busy dinners because it has protein, starch and vegetables cooked together in one pot. You can serve it with lime juice or chili garlic paste.” —Recipe contributor Loanne Chiu, Fort Worth, Texas
19/20
Chicken Chiles Rellenos Alfredo
Total Time: 30 minutes
Main Ingredients: Angel hair, chicken breast, butter, heavy cream, cream cheese, pepper jack, canned green chiles
Level: Beginner
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A creamy alfredo sauce with zesty pepper jack and piquant chopped green chiles? Count us in. Be sure to cook the noodles until just al dente.
“This recipe combines my daughter’s love of chiles rellenos and my love of chicken Alfredo! To cut down on the spice level you could substitute Monterey Jack cheese for the pepper jack.” —Recipe contributor Jennifer Stowell, Smithville, Missouri
20/20
Spanish Chicken Soup
Total Time: 1 hour, 5 minutes
Main Ingredients: Chicken, celery, onion, carrots, sofrito tomato cooking base, potatoes, angel hair
Level: Beginner
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To make this aromatic, nourishing chicken soup even heartier, mix in chopped spinach and frozen peas. We love to serve this dish with wedges of cheesy quesadillas, which are perfect for dipping.
“A hearty soup made from scratch is the perfect antidote for chilly weather. Save leftovers for weekday lunches sent to work in a thermos or quickly reheated in the microwave.” —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Angel Hair Pasta FAQ
What is angel hair pasta?
Angel hair pasta is a long, thin noodle that is one of the most delicate dried pasta shapes. Because it’s so thin, angel hair is very quick-cooking, and you’ll often find it served with simple sauces. While angel hair is very similarly shaped to capellini, angel hair’s diameter is a few micrometers thinner. In our view, however, angel hair and capellini are pretty interchangeable.
How long do you cook angel hair pasta?
With a tiny diameter, angel hair pasta cooks far more quickly than bulkier shapes, and is done after three to five minutes in boiling water. You should stir the pot occasionally so all the strands cook evenly and don’t stick to the pot. Perfectly cooked angel hair should have a slight firmness and no mushiness.
Originally Published: February 28, 2022
Author
Maria Yagoda
Maria Yagoda is a freelance writer and editor based in Brooklyn, New York, who specializes in food, travel and culture.
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