Shape – Extremely thin long pasta 0.8-1.2 mm
Cooking time – 4 minutes (until ready).
Capellini goes well with light sauces, broths, fresh vegetables, and seafood.
Briefly about Capellini pasta
Capellini, also known as angel hair pasta, is a type of thin, long pasta that is traditionally made with semolina flour and water. It has a delicate flavor and is usually served with light sauces, as it can easily overcook and become mushy if handled carelessly. Capellini is a popular choice for dishes where the pasta should be a subtle background flavor rather than the main decoration. It’s also a good option for dishes that need to be light and refreshing, like salads or summer pasta dishes.
You have come to make delicious Capellini?
What does Capellini look like 📏 The shape and appearance of pasta
Capellini is a long and skinny pasta. The approximate thickness of the pasta is 0.8 to 1,2 mm.
A thinner version of capellini, called “capelli di angelo” (Italian: Capelli d’angelo) or Angel Hair. This type of pasta has a minimum diameter of 0.6 – 0.8 mm.
Capellini pasta is a type of long pasta that is slightly thicker than vermicelli but thinner than spaghetti. It has a delicate, almost transparent appearance and is usually sold in nests or in straight strands.
What is capellini 🔍 Features and history
Capellini pasta is a type of Italian pasta that is made from semolina flour and water. It is known for its delicate flavor and quick cooking time, making it a popular choice for weeknight dinners.
Capellini is the thinnest of all long pasta products. This pasta type is thin spaghetti, sometimes called Angel Hair (Capellini is three times thinner than regular spaghetti!).
A classic Italian recipe for Cappellini pasta involves kneading the dough with mineral or spring water. Traditionally, capellini pasta is made with durum wheat flour of coarse grinding. This gives the thin, long pasta a beautiful golden color.
Despite its thinness, it holds its shape ideally during cooking and when in contact with sauces. The pasta threads look pretty fragile, but Cappellini do not break when added to boiling water, hold their shape well after cooking, and look great on the plate.
Homemade pasta can be formed in pasta machines or by hand. There are also colored Capellini – colored with beet and spinach juices, squid ink, or darker blends of wheat flour. Capellini are also relatively easy to find in most grocery stores, making them a convenient and affordable option for home cooks.
Capellini comes from north-central Italy, between the territories of Genoa, Naples, and Chiocchia. In Italian, “cappellino” means hair or fine hair. Because of its thin shape, this type of pasta was nicknamed “hair of Venus” (Italian: Capelvenere). Their preparation by hand required great skill, and for this reason, they were a symbol of refinement.
The Italians made an even thinner pasta. They called it “capelli d’angelo” (Italian for “angel hair”). The diameter of this pasta is about 0.6 mm. Often Cappellini is also called angel hair.
How to pronounce capellini
Capellini is pronounced as [cah-peh-LEE-nee].
Listen to how Italian Teacher Valentina pronounces this word in the video.
What does Capellini pasta go with | Combining with sauces
There are thousands of recipes for Capellini dishes, but they are usually served with light sauces (in texture and flavor). Its small size makes it easy to pair with a variety of sauces. From classic tomato sauce to pesto, this form of pasta can handle it all. Capellini is also great for light sauces like alfredo or carbonara. The thin strands are light enough to complement the creamy flavor of these sauces without overwhelming them.
The most popular ingredients are fresh tomatoes, shrimp, herbs (especially basil and oregano), lemon, olive oil and garlic. Pesto, butter, and cheese are also used.
Capellini or Angel Hair (“thin angel hair”) pasta is the perfect choice, for combining light, refined sauces with delicate pasta. Long and thin pasta, add amazing flavor to any recipe. For example, they show themselves perfectly in simple light tomato sauces, broths, consommé and soups, or in light dairy sauces, such as parsley cream.
With a little creativity, you can find the perfect sauce to go with your capellini pasta.
How to Serve Cappellini
Capellini pasta is usually served with light sauces and ingredients, as its delicate flavor can easily be overwhelmed by heavier sauces. Some popular options for capellini sauces include garlic-oil, tomato, pesto and white wine sauce. Capellini can also be served with seafood, vegetables or sprinkled with parmesan cheese.
In Italy, it is popular to serve in the form of nests, in the middle of which a filling of meat and vegetables is placed and then poured with sauce. Capellini are also used in meat and vegetable casseroles and broken into soups.
Capellini have also long been a favorite of kids, and are often served (broken up) in soup or tossed with butter and parmigiano-reggiano cheese.
Traditionally, they are served with broth or simply mixed with olive oil and fresh vegetables. This is how this type of pasta accentuates the flavor of the ingredients and sauce. But it is better to use light sauces that do not weigh them down. For example, a very simple light sauce is made from fresh tomatoes, oil and basil.
Although pasta is primarily an Italian dish, it can also be used in international cuisines (especially Asian cuisines). For example, if Capellini are pan-fried and combined with vegetables and meat, they can become a “stir-fry” dish – noodles in a box. In addition, there are many recipes for salads with capellini pasta, such as salads with sesame seeds and feta cheese.
Capellini Pasta Substitutes
If you can’t find capellini pasta at your local grocery store or prefer another type of pasta, there are several substitutes that can be used instead of this long type of pasta. Most recipes can use Spaghettini, Vermicelli or Spaghetti instead of Capellini.
When substituting capellini, remember to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
⏲️ Cooking time | How long to cook Capellini
- Until ready — 3-4 minutes
- Al dente — 2 minutes
Capellini pasta cooks very quickly, usually taking only 3-4 minutes to cook. It is important to watch the pasta carefully during cooking, as it can easily overcook and become mushy if left in boiling water for too long.
🗒️ Calories and Nutritional Value
- Energy value 1482 kJ / 350 kcal
- Fats 1,5 g
- Carbohydrates 72.2 g
- Proteins 12 g
Nutrition Facts per 100g – Barilla Capellini n.1, 450g
Capellini pasta is a good source of complex carbohydrates and contains a moderate amount of protein. It is also relatively low in calories and fat, making it a healthy choice for those who want to include pasta in their diet. As with any type of pasta, it is important to pay attention to portion size and balance your diet with a variety of nutrients.
The differences between Capellini and Spaghetti
The two types of pasta are Capellini and spaghetti; from a distance, they look almost identical and taste very similar. But the difference is in the thickness. From the famous spaghetti, Capellini is less thick. They are 1-1.2 mm thinner than they are in diameter.
- Cappellini pasta is 0.6 to 1.2 mm in diameter.
- Cooking time: 4 minutes
- It is usually served with light tomato sauces, broths, or light dairy sauces.
- Spaghetti pasta 1.8 – 2 mm in diameter
- Cooking time until done – 8-10 minutes
- Combine with rich and dense tomato or fish-based sauces and light creamy sauces.
Capellini and spaghetti are both types of long, thin pasta, but they have a few key differences. Capellini, also known as angel hair pasta, is the thinnest of all pasta types and has a delicate, almost transparent appearance. It is usually sold in nests or bundles. Spaghetti, on the other hand, is slightly thicker than capellini and has a more round section. They are usually sold in long strands.
Although they are all long pasta, there is not much difference between capellini and spaghetti, and choosing one type of pasta to make a pasta dish can make it perfect. The perfect way to create the best pasta dishes is to know which pasta goes best with which sauce. Understanding pasta and the different ways to use it will give you the tools you need to become a chef in the kitchen when preparing Italian dishes.
🧑🍳 Best recipes with Capellini – Easy and delicious pasta
Do you love the classic Italian dish, capellini pasta? If you like marinara sauce, alfredo sauce or just fresh grated parmesan cheese, then this article is for you!
Capellini is a versatile pasta that can be used to make a wide variety of dishes. From Italian classics like cacio e pepe or carbonara to Asian dishes like lo mein and stir-fry, the possibilities are endless. Capellini are also the perfect base for soups, salads and even casseroles.
With so many options, the hardest part is deciding which dish to make. To help you get started, here are a few different types of dishes you can make with capellini. Here you’ll find recipes, tips and tricks for making the best capellini pasta dishes at home. So get ready for an Italian adventure for your taste buds!
Pasta Cappellini with Shrimp – Dinner Recipe in 10 Minutes
Ingredients for 1 serving:
- 8-12 each 16/20 peeled shrimp
- 4 oz. dried capellini/angel hair pasta
- 2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
- 3 scallions garlic
- 1 large shallot
- 2 tsp. chili flakes
- 2 lemons
- ¼ cup white wine
- 2 tablespoons capers
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes
- ½ cup seafood broth
- 2 ounces butter
- 1 slice parmesan cheese
- 1 sprig of basil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Watch Gordon Ramsay prepare a delicious Shrimp Scampi with Capellini Pasta that you can easily make on any busy night.
Capillini with meat ragu and tomato sauce – Italian homemade recipe
Ingredients for stew:
- 1 onion,
- 1 celery stick,
- 1 carrot,
- olive oil,
- 200 ml white wine,
- 1 sprig of marjoram (optional),
- 1 red chili pepper (optional),
- 2 400g cans of whole tomatoes,
- 3 meat sausages,
- 2 pork chops,
- 200 g braised steak,
- 150 g minced pork and 150 g minced steak.
Ingredients for the pasta (use half the amount of):
- 300 g flour 00,
- 3 eggs,
- 100 g grated pecorino for serving.
In 5 minutes, you learn how Pasta Grannies make angel hair pasta. Delicious recipe from Canepina.
Simple recipe for lemon pasta – Vegetarian refreshing capellini
This lemon capellini recipe from Ina Garten uses only 4 ingredients and is ready in 10 minutes! It’s a great option for a summer weeknight meal.
Ingredients for 6 servings:
- Olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 pound dried capellini
- 1/2 pound unsalted butter
- The zest and juice of 2 lemons, plus the zest of 1 lemon for garnish
You can also add garlic for more flavor and aroma. Garlic butter, lemon and parmesan go well with capellini and almost any pasta.
Pomodoro sauce with capellini and parmesan – Easy classic recipe
Ingredients:
- 28 ounces canned tomatoes.
- 14 ounces cherry tomatoes
- 14 ounces angel hair pasta
- 5 cloves of garlic
- 3 ounces carrots
- 3 ounces parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 ounces fresh basil leaves
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- Salt and ground black pepper to taste
Cooking:
- First, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and boil the capellini noodles according to the instructions on the package.
- Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium heat and add a pinch of red pepper flakes, shallots and garlic. Cook until fragrant, then add the chopped tomatoes and a pinch of dried herbs.
- Season with salt and pepper and let the tomato sauce boil until it begins to thicken.
- When the capellini is cooked to al dente, drain the water from the pasta and add it to the pan with the tomato sauce. Stir everything together, then add some pasta water so that the sauce covers the noodles.
- At the end, add lemon juice and some fresh parsley or basil, and sprinkle grated parmesan cheese on top.
Prepare spicy tomato pasta at home. This simple recipe for capellini tomato paste can be made in less than 30 minutes.
One of the best things about capellini is that they are incredibly versatile. A wide variety of sauces can be served with them, from a simple garlic and lemon sauce to a hearty tomato sauce with shrimp. In this delicious capellini recipe, we’ll use the classic pomodoro sauce, made with ripe tomatoes, fresh basil and a sprinkling of parmesan cheese.
Capellini pasta is a versatile ingredient that can be used in many dishes. Whether you want to make a classic Italian dish or something more creative, you can easily find a great recipe here. There are many recipes using capellini, from delicious pasta dishes like clam linguini or creamy fettuccine “Alfredo,” to easy and healthy options like zucchini noodles and Caprese salad. And if you’re looking for something more unique, why not try adding capellini to a soup or stew? No matter what dish you’re making, capellini will give it a delightful flavor and texture.
🍳 How to cook Capellini properly – Step by step instructions
Step by step instructions for cooking Capellini pasta:
- Fill a large saucepan with water and place it on the stove over high heat.
Once the water is boiling, add a pinch of salt to the pot. The salt will help season the pasta and also prevent it from sticking.
- Add the capellini to the pot of boiling water.
Gently stir the pasta with a spoon so it doesn’t stick together.
- Let the pasta cook for 2-4 minutes or until it is al dente (tender but still firm to the taste).
he cooking time for capellini pasta is shorter than other types of pasta because of its thinness.
- When the pasta is cooked, drain it through a colander.
Shake the colander to remove excess water.
- Transfer the cooked pasta to a serving dish and season with your desired sauce, oil or ingredients.
Serve pasta immediately, sprinkling with grated parmesan cheese or fresh herbs as desired. Bon appetit!
How long to cook pasta capellini and how to cook them so they do not stick together is shown in a short video. By following a few simple steps, you can make delicious capellini pasta at home!
Despite its thinness, the pasta holds its shape perfectly during cooking and when in contact with sauces. The strands of pasta look quite brittle, but the capellini don’t break when added to boiling water, hold their shape well after cooking, and look great on the plate.
FAQ about Capellini pasta
-
What do Italians call an angel’s hair?
In Italy, angel hair pasta is called “capelli d’angelo” or “capellini”.
-
Why are capellini called “angel hair”? What else are capellini called?
Capellini are called “angel hair” because of their thin, delicate appearance, which resembles thin strands of hair. In addition to this name, capellini is sometimes called simply “angel hair pasta” or “fine hair”. It is also sometimes called “fidelini”.
-
Is capellini the same thing as vermicelli? Can capellini be replaced by vermicelli?
Capellini and vermicelli are similar types of pasta, but they are not exactly the same. Vermicelli is slightly thicker than capellini and may have a slightly different texture and cooking time. Although capellini and vermicelli are often used interchangeably in recipes, it is important to remember that they do not always behave the same in a dish. In general, capellini is better used in dishes where the pasta should be a subtle background flavor, while vermicelli is more appropriate for dishes where the pasta should be the star.
-
Which pasta is the thinnest in the world?
Capellini, also known as angel hair pasta, is considered the thinnest pasta in the world. It has a delicate, almost transparent appearance and is usually sold in nests or bundles.
-
Cut angel hair pasta in half?
There is no need to cut angel hair pasta in half before cooking. Because of its thinness, capellini cooks very quickly, usually in just 2-4 minutes. It is important to keep a close eye on the pasta during cooking so that it does not overcook and become mushy. If you break the pasta in half before cooking it will be easier to serve, but it is not necessary for the cooking process. Breaking the pasta in half may be necessary, for example, if you are making soup for a child or adding capellini as a layer in a baked pasta recipe.
-
Does angel hair pasta absorb sauce?
Angel hair pasta, also known as capellini, has a delicate taste and texture and is known for its ability to absorb sauces well. Because of its thinness, capellini has a large surface area relative to its volume, allowing it to easily absorb flavors. This makes it a good choice for dishes where the pasta should be a subtle background flavor rather than the main attraction of the recipe.
-
How do you keep angel hair pasta moist?
There are several ways to keep angel hair pasta moist and keep it from drying out:
1) Boil the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally to keep it from sticking together.
2) Drain the pasta, but be sure to leave a cup of water to boil the pasta. The starch in the pasta water will help coat the noodles and keep them moist when you add the sauce.
3) Add a small amount of boiling pasta water and your desired sauce or ingredients to the cooked pasta. The water will help coat the noodles and keep them from drying out.
4) Serve the pasta immediately after you add the sauce to it. This will help keep the pasta from drying out while it’s on the plate. -
Why is my angel hair pasta sticky?
There are several reasons why angel hair pasta can get sticky:
1) The pasta has been overcooked. Capellini cook very quickly and can easily become overcooked and mushy if left in boiling water for too long.
2) The pasta has not been drained well enough. Be sure to strain the pasta well after cooking by shaking the colander to remove excess water.
3) Not enough sauce or ingredients have been added to the cooked pasta. Add a small amount of sauce or ingredients when the pasta is cooked.
4) Also, if you’re making the pasta as a side dish, so that the capellini don’t stick together after cooking, toss them in a pan with a little olive oil or butter. -
Are capellini healthy or unhealthy?
Capellini is a thin and light pasta, making it the perfect choice for those watching their waistlines. It has no cholesterol, is low in calories, and is high in complex carbohydrates. Not only is this pasta great for those looking to reduce the calories in their diet, but it also contains essential vitamins and minerals such as thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, folate, iron and magnesium. Eating capellini and pasta helps regulate blood sugar levels, reduces the risk of heart disease and is suitable for people with gluten sensitivity. You can also be sure to get a good source of dietary fiber from this delicious pasta.
-
How to store and maintain the freshness of capellini?
Now that you’ve perfected your capellini dish, you need to take care to keep the leftovers fresh. Boiled capellini are best stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. If you don’t plan to use them within three days, they can be frozen for up to 3 months. To reheat the capellini, add them to boiling water for a few minutes and drain before serving. Or you can reheat them in a skillet and fry them with butter. Properly stored and reheated, the capellini will stay fresh and delicious.
Let’s summarize
Capellini, also known as angel hair pasta, is a type of thin, long pasta that is ideal for making weeknight meals quickly and deliciously. It cooks faster than other types of pasta, such as spaghetti, and has a delicate, almost translucent appearance. When combined with the right sauce, capellini can be a truly delicious and flavorful pasta dish.
