A quick and easy Angel Hair Pasta recipe with fresh garlic, herbs, and grated Parmesan Cheese. This pasta comes together in less than fifteen minutes, and it goes well with grilled salmon, roasted chicken, grilled steak, and roasted pork. For the best flavor, top the thin strands with chopped fresh herbs and freshly grated Parmesan Cheese. This is one of our favorite side dishes.
How to make Angel Hair Pasta with Garlic
First, bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add the noodles and cook according to package directions. Angel hair pasta cooks very quickly, so don’t overcook it. Be sure to drain well.
When the pasta has about 2 minutes of cooking time left, melt the butter and heat the olive oil in a large skillet or pan. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute and stir constantly. Add the pasta and toss to coat with the sauce. Sprinkle the pasta with a couple of tablespoons of chopped fresh herbs like basil and parsley and about 1/2 cup of freshly grated Parmesan Cheese. Then toss again to combine. Finally, season with salt, pepper, and, if desired, red pepper flakes to taste. For best results, serve promptly.
Recipe notes and helpful tips
- Boil the angel hair pasta over medium heat according to package instructions until slightly al dente, which means slightly firm to the bite.
- Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water to moisten it if it becomes too dry.
- For a change of pace, top with fresh cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, steamed broccoli, or sautéed mushrooms, or fresh lemon or lemon juice.
- Use herbs like fresh basil, parsley, thyme, and rosemary. Keep in mind, though, that some herbs are better used dried, like oregano and marjoram.
- Other pasta can be substituted for angel hair, including but not limited to spaghetti, thin spaghetti, penne, campanelle, macaroni, and rotini.
- Use fresh garlic minced finely. It is so flavorful and aromatic but remember to cook it over medium-low heat, stirring constantly for just 1 minute. If garlic burns, it tastes bitter.
- If you like everything with a little kick of spice, add crushed red pepper to taste.
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese is worth every penny. It has a better texture, tastes better, and melts better than pre-grated Parmesan. Use a microplane or box grater to grate the cheese.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat leftovers in the microwave at reduced power.
What is angel hair pasta?
Angel hair pasta resembles spaghetti, but it is much thinner. It cooks up very quickly and is great for light sauces like garlic butter and pesto. Or serve with fresh sautéed vegetables, olive oil, and parmesan cheese. I love to serve angel hair pasta with seared scallops or garlic butter shrimp.
More pasta dishes you will love!
Angel Hair Pasta with Garlic and Parmesan
Ingredients
- 12 ounces angel hair pasta or capellini pasta
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs like basil parsley, thyme, rosemary (see notes)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan Cheese
- salt and black pepper to taste
- chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Cook your pasta slightly al dente according to package directions and drain well.
- When the pasta has 2 minutes of cooking time left, melt the butter and heat the olive oil in a large skillet. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute while stirring constantly. Add the pasta and toss to coat with the butter and garlic.
- Sprinkle the pasta with the herbs and grated Parmesan Cheese. Toss again to combine. If the pasta becomes too dry, add 1-2 tablespoons of the reserved pasta water at a time until desired consistency is reached. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley. For best results, serve promptly.
Notes
- Boil the angel hair pasta over medium heat according to package instructions until slightly al dente, which means slightly firm to the bite.
- Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water to moisten it if it becomes too dry.
- For a change of pace, top with fresh cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, steamed broccoli, or sautéed mushrooms.
- Use herbs like fresh basil, parsley, thyme, and rosemary. Keep in mind, though, that some herbs are better used dried, like oregano and marjoram.
- Other pasta can be substituted for angel hair, including but not limited to spaghetti, thin spaghetti, penne, campanelle, macaroni, and rotini.
- Use fresh garlic minced finely. It is so flavorful and aromatic but remember to cook it over medium-low heat, stirring constantly for just 1 minute. If garlic burns, it tastes bitter.
- If you like everything with a little kick of spice, add crushed red pepper to taste.
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese is worth every penny. It has a better texture, tastes better, and melts better than pre-grated Parmesan. Use a microplane or box grater to grate the cheese.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat leftovers in the microwave at reduced power.
Nutrition
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Amy
My go to pasta dish! Everyone always loves it as much as I do! Thanks!
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Amy!
Colleen
Sometimes the best dishes are the most simple, and this pasta was one of them. It was the perfect side dish for salmon and I will be making it again.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Colleen! So glad that you enjoyed it.
Casey
This reminds me of something my mom used to make. It’s been so long since I’ve had it. I’m excited to enjoy it again!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Casey! Enjoy!
Chenee
I could eat this all day! So flavorful and the perfect side dish.
Anjali
I love angel hair pasta and this recipe was perfect! I made a big batch of it and have been enjoying it for lunch every day this week!
dana
Nothing beats a nice and simple pasta for those weeknights where you don’t want to cook, but also don’t want to get takeout. We love this one!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Dana! I am glad that you enjoy it!
Sangeetha S
I made this again today!!! It’s incredible how such simple ingredients can come together to create a delicious and satisfying dish in just a short amount of time. The combination of fresh garlic, herbs, and grated Parmesan cheese was incredibly flavorful.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Sangeetha! I am so glad that you like the pasta!
Jack
Great angel hair pasta recipe. So easy and full of flavor. Thanks for sharing it!
Marysa
I love a good angel hair pasta with garlic. Sounds like the perfect dish! We have recently been growing our own garlic, and there is nothing like fresh, delicious garlic in a dish!
Beth Pierce
You got that right!
myyellowapron
This looks yummy and easy as well. My family will devour this pasta dish.
Moni
Your angel hair pasta with garlic and Parmesan recipe is a winner! The dish is deliciously flavorful and easy to make, perfect for a quick weeknight meal. The step-by-step instructions are clear and concise, making it accessible for even novice cooks. Thank you for sharing this delightful recipe!
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome, Moni! So glad that you like the pasta!
Ned
The pasta lover in me says this recipe is sticking with me indefinitely! It was delicious and easy to make. Thanks for sharing about it.
Sonia
Thank you for sharing this wonderful Angel Hair Pasta recipe! I enjoyed reading it and can’t wait to try it. It’s great to know that it’s quick and easy to make and takes less than fifteen minutes to assemble. The combination of fresh garlic, herbs, and grated Parmesan Cheese sounds delicious. I can imagine it complementing grilled salmon, roasted chicken, grilled steak, or roasted pork. I’ll add chopped fresh herbs and freshly grated Parmesan Cheese for ultimate flavour. This recipe sounds like one of our all-time favourite side dishes!
Stephanie
Simple dishes that don’t require turning on the oven are a must for my cookbook! This angel hair pasta was simple and quick to make. Just the right amount of seasoning to satisfy everyone!
Beth Pierce
So glad that you liked it! For a change of pace, top with fresh cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, steamed broccoli, or sautéed mushrooms.
Jennifer L Prince
Angel hair is one of my favorite pastas. It’s so thin and delicate and the garlic/parmesan combo sounds perfect with it. Yum!