What is Capellini?
Capellini is a very thin variety of Italian pasta. It has a diameter of between 0.85 and 0.92 millimeters. It is rod-shaped and in the form of long strands like spaghetti. Capellini D’Angelo is an even thinner variety with a diameter between 0.78 and 0.88 millimeters.
It is often sold in a nest-like shape. Capellini is Italian for “little hair.” It is similar to Angel Hair Pasta, which has an English descriptor rather than an Italian one. Angel typically has a diameter similar to Capellini D’Angelo of 0.78 to 0.88 millimeters.
Here are some of our favorite capellini pasta recipes.
1. Capellini with Shrimp Capers and Tomatoes
This is a simple recipe that only takes 10 minutes to make. If you have leftover sauteed garlic shrimp, pull it out and use it for this capellini dish. After you’ve cooked your capellini, you’ll drain it and reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water.
Then, you’ll return your pasta to the pot. You’ll throw in your cooked shrimp, tomatoes, capers, and pasta water and allow everything to heat on low until the pasta is well coated. After that, it’s ready to serve!
Get the full recipe and directions from Food and Wine.
2. Capellini with Creamy Cauliflower
This is another simple yet delicious recipe that incorporates an ingredient that isn’t often seen in pasta recipes — cauliflower! It’s a nutritious vegetable with a sweet and nutty flavor. After tossing these in a large sauté pan, you’ll see them soften and begin to caramelize.
Combined with herbs and spices, you’ll instantly wonder how else you can include it in recipes. In roughly 30 minutes, you’ll have a flavorful and healthy spaghetti-like recipe that you can serve to your family.
Get the full recipe and directions from here.
3. Capellini with Garlic Lemon and Parmesan
Are you looking for another easy recipe that can be made in less than 30 minutes? Anyone who loves lemon pasta should keep this recipe on standby. Make your pasta first and remember to save some of that pasta water.
Then, begin to sauté shallots and garlic in butter in a large skillet until caramelized. Then add your pasta and pasta water before adding your lemon zest and juice. Finally, red pepper flakes and parmesan are the perfect garnish. If you want a bit of protein, it pairs perfectly with shrimp or chicken as well.
Get the full recipe and directions from Spoon Fork Bacon.
4. Ina Garten’s Capellini with Tomatoes and Basil
Have some picky eaters on your hands? Everyone will love this capellini recipe! You’re essentially making a grown-up version of spaghetti and tomato sauce. Boil your pasta first and then throw together oil, garlic, tomatoes, basil, parsley, thyme, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes in a pan. All this to sauté before adding your pasta and tossing with parmesan.
Get the full recipe and directions from Food Network.
5. Capellini Capricciosi (Spicy Capellini)
Are the basic capellini recipes not doing it for you? Do you need more than red pepper flakes? Well, let’s make your capellini more interesting with pepperoncini — hot, pickled peppers. These are Tuscan peppers that’ll up the heat on this dish. The preparation is similar to the other recipes on this list, but the taste is out of this world!
Get the full recipe and directions from Fine Cooking.
6. Olive Garden Cappellini Pomodoro
If you came here to find a recipe for a dish you just had from Olive Garden, no shame! This recipe will help you make light and delicious pasta with some of the most basic Italian ingredients. You’ll make your pasta according to the instructions and set it aside.
Next, you’ll heat olive oil and garlic for about 1-2 minutes. Then, you’ll add tomatoes and peppers. Cook these until heated while stirring constantly. Finally, you’ll remove them and place them over your pasta in a large bowl. Mix in basil and parmesan cheese as well. Toss gently before serving, and you’re done!
Get the full recipe and directions from CopyKat Recipes.
7. Capellini Caprese
You may have noticed that all of these ingredients are close to what you’d use for caprese. Why not transform this pasta dish into caprese? This recipe swaps out parmesan for mozzarella and incorporates basil as some of the other recipes have. It also includes a KRAFT house Italian dressing that you sauté all of your ingredients in.
Get the full recipe and directions from My Food and Family.
Whether you’re looking for a quick and easy weeknight recipe, or are wanting a delicate lunch pasta dish, capellini is such a great pasta to turn to.
If you like this post, we think you’ll really like our Pasta Mollicata Recipes post.
