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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https://www.smalltownwoman.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Beth-1.pdf
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!
Cinny
That looks perfect for our family. I love an easy but delicious pasta to make.
Brittney
Your photos already have my mouth watering. I always forget about angel hair pasta, but I love it when I do have it. Definitely going to need to make a trip to the grocery store now.
Sienna
So simple yet so delicious! This is the type of dish I could eat every day of the week (and since it’s quick to make I actually could schedule to do so!)
Julie Shahin
Ángel hair pasta is my favorite !! Yummmm! Thanks for this awesome recipe!
SONIA SEIVWRIGHT
I would have this dish with prawns or fish. I love the flavour of this dish. I can’t wait to try it. It’s easy to cook, and I bet it tastes delicious.
Barbie Ritzman
Simple yet delicious. I love this recipe and will be making it again this weekend. Adding some extra cheese and maybe some mushrooms.
MELANIE E
I really do love angel hair pasta but most stores don’t seem to sell it. I’ll have to order some in and then attempt this delicious recipe.
Patricia Chamberlain
Angel hair pasta is my favorite! This recipe was amazing. My whole family loved it!
Amber
This not only looks super yummy, but super easy as well. My family loves pasta dishes so I printed this recipe and can’t wait to give it a try.
Yolanda
This looks like a awesome receipe and there’s not alot of calories. I felt like eating this right off the page. I am going to give your receipe a try. I actually saw a few others I’m going to try on your website as well. Thanks for sharing.
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome, Yolanda! Enjoy!
Sangeetha
It was delicious! I love how simple and easy this recipe is. Perfect for a quick and satisfying weeknight dinner. The combination of garlic and Parmesan is always a winner in our home.
Ivan Carlo Jose
This is a super simple pasta dish to make that is extremely satisfying. Thank you for sharing your recipe.
Nicole Bertrand
Such a simple recipe and yet so delicious!
Debbie
This looks amazing. My stomach is growling just looking at these angel hair pasta pictures. I can’t wait to give it a try! Thank you for sharing!
Ben
This was mazing! I mean, you really can’t go wrong with pasta and cheese.
Lisa
OK this sounds GREAT! And so simple to make too.
Stephanie
Super delicious Angel Hair Pasta dish! The garlic and herbs are the perfect amount of flavoring for this. p.s. Thanks for the tip on reserving some of the pasta water!
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome!
Julia
Can oil be substituted for the butter.? Not so much a butter lover
Beth Pierce
Yes, it can!
Catrina
One of my favorites! So easy, so yummy… and the leftovers…. yup! This is my go to side, (or complete meal, lol) with a grocery store routtisserie chicken..
Beth Pierce
Thanks Catrina! So glad that you like it!
Kat
i have all the ingredients in my pantry! this is going to be my lunch for today. Thanks for the recipe. I hope i wont overcook the angel hair pasta
Beth Pierce
Thanks Kat! I sure hope you enjoyed it!
Elise
This combination sounds absolutely wonderful. Parmesan just makes everything better.
Beth Pierce
So true!
Veronika Sykorova
I haven’t had angel hair pasta in forever but anything with garlic and parmesan is instantly my favorite so I’m definitely making this tonight!
Beth Pierce
Thanks Enjoy!!
Elizabeth O
This is a favorite comforting pasta side dish. I’d put a lot of black pepper on it.
brianne
This was one of my go-to quick dishes when I was in college. it’s easy and quick to make.
Midwife360
Such a great recipe! Angel’s hair is one of my favorite kind of pasta.
Heather
I make this at least once a week for my kids. It’s one of their favorite dinners! They love the sauce even more than traditional pasta sauce!
Rosemary
The angel hair pasta recipe seems like it would be dry. What can be added for it to be more moist?
Beth Pierce
It is not dry but if you want a little more moisture try a little more butter and a touch of chicken broth
Marysa
I am a big garlic lover, and I love parm too. Sounds like a perfect and easy recipe – great for busy weeknights!
Nish
I make an aglio olio pasta similar to this one – with just the addition of broccoli and sun-dried tomatoes. This seems like a great option when I am out of veggies. Thanks for sharing!
Veronika Sykorova
Angle hair pasta is my favorite, especially if it involves cheese! Thanks for the recipe!
Steph S
Yum! Thanks so much for the recipe!
Alexis
I needed a quick lunch option for my kids this week. This dish was perfect, thank you for sharing your recipe.
Neely Moldovan
we make a variation of this all the time! Whole family loves it!
Claudia
This is still a favorite comforting side dish, although we can fancy it up a notch now with the use of angel hair pasta
Alita pacio
This was one of my go-to recipes when I was in college. Im so excited to make it again with the twists
Toni
This was so good! My family loved it!
Sue
Angel hair is one of my favorite pastas too! Thanks for sharing this!! It turned out so good!
Gervin Khan
An easy and delicious pasta recipe! I made it for last night’s dinner. I love it!
Freya
The perfect simple recipe for angel hair pasta and so incredibly delicious!
Heather
My kids loved this! I can’t wait to make it again for them.
Heatherkleinwolf
Pasta doesn’t get more perfect than this! Love these flavors.
Linda
Great recipe, I also added a little lemon
Wenda
Excellent as is, and even better with a squeeze of lemon!
Melisssa
I too added a little lemon. So tasty
Catalina
This pasta is so flavorful! Pasta is always a hit in our house!
Sandra
I loved it!! So simple but full of flavor! Thanks for the recipe!
Dorothy Reinhold
I could make an entire meal out of this pasta! Can’t wait to whip up a batch! Extra parm please!
Erin
I’m drooling! This is everything I love!
Erik
Huge fan of angel hair pasta, so this was perfect for me!