Description
Angel Hair Pasta: Light, delicate strands of pasta cooked al dente with fresh herbs, garlic, and olive oil. Quick, comforting, and crowd-pleasing.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz (227g) angel hair pasta
- 3 tablespoons (45ml) extra virgin olive oil
- 4–5 cloves garlic, thinly sliced (about 2 tablespoons)
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- ½ cup (120ml) pasta cooking water, reserved
- ¼ cup (25g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare Your Sauce Base In a large skillet over medium-low heat, warm the olive oil. Add the sliced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using) and cook gently for 2-3 minutes until fragrant but not browned. Garlic becomes bitter when browned, so maintain a watchful eye and keep the heat low. This step infuses the oil with flavor that will coat every strand of your angel hair pasta.
- Step 2: Cook The Pasta Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add 1 tablespoon of salt (the water should taste salty like seawater). Add the angel hair pasta, stirring immediately to prevent sticking. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Before draining, reserve ½ cup of the starchy pasta water. Remember, this pasta cooks extremely quickly – start testing at the 2-minute mark for the perfect al dente texture.
- Step 3: Combine Pasta And Sauce Transfer the pasta directly from the water to the skillet with tongs (don’t worry about draining it completely – the extra water helps). Add about ¼ cup of the reserved pasta water and increase heat to medium-high. Toss continuously using tongs to coat the angel hair pasta with the garlic-infused oil. The constant motion creates an emulsion between the starchy water and oil, creating a silky sauce that clings to each strand.
- Step 4: Finish The Dish Remove the skillet from heat and add the Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, and chopped parsley. Toss vigorously until the cheese melts into the sauce. If the pasta seems dry, add more reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time until you achieve a glossy coating. Season with freshly ground black pepper and additional salt if needed. Serve immediately in warmed bowls with extra Parmesan for sprinkling.
Notes
Fresh ingredients will always yield the best flavor results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 350 calories per serving
- Sugar: 1 gram
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 15 grams
- Saturated Fat: 3 grams
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 grams
- Trans Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 45 grams
- Fiber: 2 grams
- Protein: 8 grams
- Cholesterol: 5 mg