Why You’ll Love This capellini d’angelo
- Ease of preparation: This capellini d’angelo recipe is designed for simplicity and speed, fitting well into busy weeknight routines. With minimal ingredients and straightforward steps from sautéing mushrooms to stirring in a creamy tomato sauce this dish comes together in about 30 minutes, thanks to the quick-cooking nature of angel hair pasta.
- Health benefits: Featuring wholesome ingredients such as peas, mushrooms, and lean thick-cut bacon or prosciutto, capellini d’angelo provides a balanced meal rich in protein, fiber, and essential vitamins. The inclusion of Romano cheese adds calcium and distinctive flavor, while the dish overall provides sustained energy without heaviness. For more on the nutrition perspective, explore the Nutritional Benefits of Romano Cheese.
- Versatility: Capellini d’angelo is highly adaptable to dietary preferences and needs. You can easily switch out bacon for prosciutto or a plant-based alternative, substitute mushrooms with seasonal vegetables like asparagus, or use gluten-free angel hair pasta. This flexibility makes the dish approachable for vegan, gluten-free, and low-calorie diets without compromising on flavor or texture.
- Distinctive flavor: The dish stands out with a rich tomato cream sauce enriched by grated Romano cheese and the smoky depth from thick-cut bacon or prosciutto. The delicate strands of capellini absorb the sauce beautifully, while peas and mushrooms add bursts of fresh, earthy flavors. This combination creates an elegant and memorable pasta experience.
Jump To
- 1. Why You’ll Love This capellini d’angelo
- 2. Essential Ingredients for capellini d’angelo
- 3. How to Prepare the Perfect capellini d’angelo: Step-by-Step Guide
- 4. Dietary Substitutions to Customize Your capellini d’angelo
- 5. Mastering capellini d’angelo: Advanced Tips and Variations
- 6. How to Store capellini d’angelo: Best Practices
- 7. FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions About capellini d’angelo
- 8. capellini d’angelo
Essential Ingredients for capellini d’angelo
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups canned crushed tomatoes – forms the flavorful base of the creamy tomato sauce
- 2 cups heavy cream – provides richness and smooth texture to the sauce
- 2 cups chicken stock – adds depth and balances creaminess
- 1 cup grated Romano cheese, plus extra for garnish – offers a sharp, salty accent that enhances the sauce’s taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil – used for sautéing mushrooms, adding richness
- 12 ounces (about 340 grams) sliced mushrooms – brings earthiness and texture
- 1 cup cooked peas – adds slight sweetness and color
- 4 ounces (around 115 grams) thick-cut bacon or prosciutto, cooked – provides smoky, savory flavor
- 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic or 1 clove finely minced fresh garlic – adds aromatic depth
- 1/2 teaspoon granulated onion – balances flavor with subtle sweetness
- 1 pound (about 450 grams) angel hair pasta (capellini or spaghettini) – delicate, thin pasta perfect for light, creamy sauces
- Fresh ground black pepper, to taste – seasons and brightens the dish
Special Dietary Options:
- Vegan: Substitute bacon with smoked tempeh or plant-based bacon alternatives, use cashew or coconut cream in place of heavy cream, and replace Romano cheese with nutritional yeast or vegan cheese.
- Gluten-free: Use gluten-free angel hair pasta made from rice, corn, or quinoa to maintain texture while avoiding gluten.
- Low-calorie: Reduce heavy cream and use low-fat milk or Greek yogurt as lighter substitutes; choose turkey bacon or omit bacon entirely for less fat.
How to Prepare the Perfect capellini d’angelo: Step-by-Step Guide
First Step: Sauté the mushrooms
Begin by heating 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add 12 ounces of sliced mushrooms and sauté until golden brown and tender, about 5 to 7 minutes. This step develops a deep, earthy flavor foundational to the sauce.
Second Step: Add and simmer crushed tomatoes
Pour 2 cups of canned crushed tomatoes into the pan with the mushrooms. Allow the mixture to simmer gently for about 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to help the tomatoes break down and their flavors meld with the mushrooms.
Third Step: Stir in cream, stock, and seasonings
Add 2 cups of heavy cream and 2 cups of chicken stock, stirring to combine. Next, incorporate 1 cup grated Romano cheese, 1/2 teaspoon granulated onion, and 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic (or fresh garlic). Season with freshly ground black pepper to taste. Reduce heat to low and simmer the sauce gently for 10 minutes, letting it thicken slightly and flavors deepen.
Fourth Step: Cook the capellini pasta
While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 1 pound of angel hair pasta (capellini or spaghettini) and cook for 2 to 4 minutes until al dente, watching carefully due to the thin noodles’ rapid cooking time. Drain promptly to avoid overcooking.
Fifth Step: Warm peas and bacon in the sauce
Just before the pasta finishes cooking, add 1 cup of cooked peas and 4 ounces of cooked thick-cut bacon or prosciutto to the sauce. Stir to warm through and integrate these components, adding bursts of flavor and texture.
Final Step: Combine pasta and sauce, then serve
Drain the pasta thoroughly and add it to the sauce. Toss gently to coat every strand with the creamy tomato mixture. Serve immediately, garnished with extra grated Romano cheese and freshly ground black pepper.
Tip: For the best bacon texture and flavor, you may want to follow expert advice from How to Cook Bacon Perfectly.
Dietary Substitutions to Customize Your capellini d’angelo
Protein and Main Component Alternatives
- Bacon alternatives: Replace thick-cut bacon with prosciutto for a different smoky profile or use plant-based bacon substitutes to keep the dish vegan-friendly.
- Seafood proteins: Add sautéed garlic shrimp or a steak stir fry to create a hearty capellini d’angelo variation packed with protein.
- Plant proteins: Incorporate smoked tempeh, cooked chickpeas, or tofu cubes for vegetarian or vegan adaptations.
Vegetable, Sauce, and Seasoning Modifications
- Mushroom swaps: Replace mushrooms with asparagus or zucchini ribbons for seasonal twists and varied textures.
- Herb variations: Add fresh basil, parsley, oregano, or thyme to change the flavor profile subtly.
- Spice adjustments: Introduce a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes or a dash of smoked paprika for warmth and complexity.
- Dairy substitutes: Use vegan cheese, omit Romano, or replace cream with plant-based alternatives to accommodate deficiencies and preferences.
Mastering capellini d’angelo: Advanced Tips and Variations
- Pro cooking techniques: Use high-quality extra virgin olive oil to sauté mushrooms for maximum flavor. Incorporate pasta cooking water little by little while tossing pasta to help the sauce cling better.
- Flavor variations: Add toasted pine nuts or sun-dried tomatoes for texture and tartness, or a splash of white wine in the sauce for acidity.
- Presentation tips: Use tongs to twirl the pasta elegantly on plates, garnishing with fresh herbs like basil and additional Romano cheese shavings.
- Make-ahead options: Prepare sauce components a day in advance for busy days. Cook pasta fresh to maintain delicate texture and toss with reheated sauce before serving.
How to Store capellini d’angelo: Best Practices
Refrigeration
Store leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator up to 3 days, ensuring the sauce and pasta are cooled separately if possible to preserve texture.
Freezing
Freeze the sauce independently from the pasta in sealed, freezer-safe containers for up to 1 month. Avoid freezing cooked capellini as it can become mushy upon thawing.
Reheating
Reheat refrigerated portions gently in a skillet over low heat. Add a splash of broth or water to loosen the sauce and maintain creaminess while warming evenly. Avoid microwave reheating to prevent drying out.
Meal prep considerations
When making for multiple meals, keep pasta and sauce separate until just before serving. Portion sauce into single servings for faster reheating and simplified meal prep.
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions About capellini d’angelo
What is Capellini d’Angelo pasta?
Capellini d’Angelo, also known as angel hair pasta, is a very thin variety of Italian pasta. It cooks quickly, usually in 2 to 3 minutes, and is best paired with light sauces such as olive oil, fresh tomatoes, or seafood. Its delicate texture makes it a popular choice for simple, fast meals that highlight fresh ingredients.
How do you cook Capellini d’Angelo properly to avoid overcooking?
To cook Capellini d’Angelo, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain immediately once al dente (firm to the bite) to maintain its delicate texture. Avoid overcooking as it becomes mushy quickly due to its thinness.
What types of sauces or dishes pair well with Capellini d’Angelo?
Capellini d’Angelo pairs best with light, simple sauces such as olive oil and garlic, fresh tomato sauce, lemon butter, or seafood like shrimp and clams. Heavier, cream-based sauces can overwhelm its delicate strands. It’s also excellent in cold pasta salads or broth-based soups for a light, flavorful dish.
Can Capellini d’Angelo be used as a substitute for other pasta types?
Yes, Capellini d’Angelo can substitute for other thin pastas like vermicelli or thin spaghetti in recipes. However, because it cooks faster and is more fragile, adjustments in cooking time are necessary. It works well when you want a lighter meal or when sauces are subtle and don’t overpower the pasta.
How should Capellini d’Angelo be stored before and after cooking?
Before cooking, store dry Capellini d’Angelo in a cool, dry place, sealed in its original packaging or an airtight container. After cooking, it’s best served immediately, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 days. Reheat gently by briefly immersing in hot water or steaming to prevent clumping.

capellini d’angelo
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Diet: Omnivore
Description
🍝 Savor the delicate strands of Capellini D’Angelo paired with a rich, creamy tomato sauce featuring garlic shrimp and steak.
🧄 This quick and flavorful dish combines tender angel hair pasta with savory bacon and fresh vegetables for a perfect weeknight meal.
Ingredients
– 2 cups canned crushed tomatoes
– 2 cups heavy cream
– 2 cups chicken stock
– 1 cup grated Romano cheese plus extra for garnish
– 2 tablespoons olive oil
– 12 ounces sliced mushrooms
– 1 cup cooked peas
– 4 ounces thick-cut bacon or prosciutto cooked
– 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic or 1 clove finely minced fresh garlic
– 1/2 teaspoon granulated onion
– 1 pound angel hair pasta
– Fresh ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
First Step: Sauté the mushrooms Begin by heating 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add 12 ounces of sliced mushrooms and sauté until golden brown and tender, about 5 to 7 minutes. This step develops a deep, earthy flavor foundational to the sauce.
Second Step: Add and simmer crushed tomatoes Pour 2 cups of canned crushed tomatoes into the pan with the mushrooms. Allow the mixture to simmer gently for about 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to help the tomatoes break down and their flavors meld with the mushrooms.
Third Step: Stir in cream, stock, and seasonings Add 2 cups of heavy cream and 2 cups of chicken stock, stirring to combine. Next, incorporate 1 cup grated Romano cheese, 1/2 teaspoon granulated onion, and 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic (or fresh garlic). Season with freshly ground black pepper to taste. Reduce heat to low and simmer the sauce gently for 10 minutes, letting it thicken slightly and flavors deepen.
Fourth Step: Cook the capellini pasta While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 1 pound of angel hair pasta (capellini or spaghettini) and cook for 2 to 4 minutes until al dente, watching carefully due to the thin noodles’ rapid cooking time. Drain promptly to avoid overcooking.
Fifth Step: Warm peas and bacon in the sauce Just before the pasta finishes cooking, add 1 cup of cooked peas and 4 ounces of cooked thick-cut bacon or prosciutto to the sauce. Stir to warm through and integrate these components, adding bursts of flavor and texture.
Final Step: Combine pasta and sauce, then serve Drain the pasta thoroughly and add it to the sauce. Toss gently to coat every strand with the creamy tomato mixture. Serve immediately, garnished with extra grated Romano cheese and freshly ground black pepper.
Notes
🥓 Use lean thick cut bacon as an excellent smoky substitute for prosciutto.
🧀 Romano cheese adds a sharp, balanced flavor but can be omitted for a milder dish.
🍄 Replace mushrooms with asparagus for a fresh, seasonal variation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Simmering Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing and Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 350g)
- Calories: 827 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 585 mg
- Fat: 49 g
- Saturated Fat: 25 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 74 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 141 mg
Keywords: Capellini D’Angelo, Garlic Shrimp, Steak Stir Fry, Angel Hair Pasta
This brings back memories of my Nona’s Sunday dinners! ❤️ I tried adding a little lemon zest, and it gave the pasta a nice fresh twist. Can’t wait to make it again!
★★★★★