This angel hair pasta recipe is tender noodles coated in garlic, fresh herbs, olive oil, butter and parmesan cheese. Add a fresh tomato topping for a memorable side dish or lighter main course option!

When I’m looking for a hearty side dish to serve alongside meat and vegetables, I turn to homemade Rice-A-Roni, baked mac and cheese, or this simple yet totally satisfying angel hair pasta.

Pasta is typically a quick dish to make, especially angel hair pasta. It has the fastest cooking time of almost every other pasta, and it’s delicious too!

This light and delicious pasta is coated in a savory garlic and herb sauce, and goes well with chicken, beef and seafood entrees. It pairs perfectly with sirloin steak or New York strip steak or a nice chicken dish like chicken saltimbocca or chicken scallopini! You can enjoy this pasta with so many main dishes!

What is angel hair pasta used for?

Angel hair pasta, also known as capellini, is a thin, fine pasta with long strands. It’s best used for delicate sauces such as light tomato or cream sauces. It’s often served in simple preparations, and can be substituted for spaghetti in some dishes. I typically serve this pasta as a side dish to complement a heartier main course.

How do you make angel hair pasta with garlic and herbs?

For this recipe, melt butter in a pan along with some olive oil. Cook your pasta according to package directions. Add some garlic to the olive oil mixture, along with an assortment of fresh herbs. Place the cooked pasta in the pan of sauce, then toss to coat. Add some parmesan cheese to the mixture, then top with diced tomatoes and serve.

Tips for the perfect pasta

Take care not to overcook your pasta! It’s really easy to cook it for too long, and you’ll end up with a mushy texture.
You can use any fresh herbs you like in this dish. Some of my favorites include parsley, dill, basil, chives or thyme. I find that this dish tastes best with a combination of herb varieties.
No fresh herbs on hand? Add 1 teaspoon of dried Italian seasoning instead.
I recommend serving this dish immediately. Any leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can reheat leftovers in the microwave.
Freshly grated parmesan cheese tastes best in this recipe. The tubs of pre-grated cheese often contain stabilizers and anti caking agents and they don’t taste as good or melt as well.
You can make this dish vegan by using 1/4 cup olive oil instead of a mix of oil and butter, and omit the cheese.

Angel hair pasta variations

This recipe is delicious as-is, but you can add other ingredients to customize it to your tastes.

Protein: Add some protein to make it a main course such as grilled chicken, sauteed shrimp, sliced flank steak or stir in some white beans.
Flavorings: You can stir in some kalamata olives, sun dried tomatoes, pine nuts or cooked crumbled bacon.
Vegetables: Mix in some roasted or sauteed veggies such as artichokes, mushrooms, asparagus, bell peppers, red onions or zucchini.
Pasta: No angel hair on hand? Try another variety of pasta such as orzo, small shells or farfalle.

Once you taste this pasta, you’ll find yourself making it on a regular basis! It’s quick, versatile and goes well with so many different types of meat and seafood.

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Angel Hair Pasta Video

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