Angel Hair Pasta with Garlic and Herbs - Pasta Packet Recipe (2024)

Angel Hair Pasta with Garlic and Herbs is heavenly! This flavor-packed, 15 minute side dish is made completely with fridge and pantry staples.

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Angel Hair Pasta with Garlic and Herbs - Pasta Packet Recipe (1)

The recipe for Angel Hair Pasta with Garlic and Herbs comes with a warning:

Try not to eat the ENTIRE THING before scooping it next to the protein and vegetable of your choice because — WOW WOW WOW — this easy, 15 minute side dish is completely irresistible!

Angel Hair Pasta with Garlic and Herbs - Pasta Packet Recipe (2)

Pasta Packet Copycat

This idea for this seriously delicious swirly dish came from a reader who asked for a homemade version of his favorite Pasta Roni pasta packet side (say that 5 times fast): Angel Hair Pasta with Herbs. My answer?

Heck yes I can hack that!

Then I upgraded it to not only include dried herbs and fresh garlic, but parmesan cheese too, all swirled together to create a creamy (no heavy cream required) side dish recipe that is totallygoing to steal the show at dinner tonight. If you love the convenience of pasta packet or box sides, but not the ingredient list, this dish is for you.

Ingredients Needed

I love that we always have the ingredients needed for Angel Hair Pasta with Garlic and Herbs on hand. Since I rarely have fresh herbs beyond cilantro or parsley on hand, I rely on the pantry and spice cupboard to create this dish. Here’s the lineup:

  • Gluten Free Angel Hair Pasta. Angel hair pasta, sometimes called cappellini, is super thin strands of pasta. My kids love this cut of pasta because its fun and a little different than standard elbows or spaghetti. If you don’t need to eat GF, you can use regular angel hair pasta. I use Ronzoni gluten free “thin spaghetti”.
  • Aromatics: Fresh shallot and garlic give this easy pasta side dish tons and tons of flavor. I tested using onion and garlic powders instead, but the texture of the final dish was a little gritty once paired with the dried herbs. Fresh is best for these particular ingredients.
  • Dried Herbs:Dried basil, parsley, chives, and rosemary provide theherbportion of the garlic and herb angel hair pasta. The only special note here is to crush the dried rosemary as finely as possible between your fingertips before adding to avoid big woody pieces in the final dish.
  • Butter and Parmesan Cheese:butter and freshly grated parmesan cheese add decadence and lots of flavor to the angel hair pasta. Be sure to use freshly grated parmesan cheese vs powdered or pre-grated. Freshly grated using a microplane will melt into the sauce, while the other two will clump.
  • Pasta Cooking Water:Love when the byproduct of cooking one of the ingredients creates another one! Pasta cooking water is what I use to create a luscious, silky sauce for this side dish. Reserve the pasta water once the angel hair pasta is finished cooking then stir into the dish to create a creamy, lick your plate worthy sauce. SO GOOD.

What to Serve With This Recipe

Ok YES, FINE I’ve eaten this angel hair pasta all on its own as a meal, but if you want to serve it as intended, ie a side dish, pair it with the protein and vegetable of your choice. I happen to think it’d serve wonderfully with:

  • Sauteed or roasted shrimp
  • Air Fryer Chicken Breast
  • Pan seared steaks
  • Italian Mini Meatloaves

Ready to get in on this divine concoction?!

Angel Hair Pasta with Garlic and Herbs - Pasta Packet Recipe (3)

How to Make This Recipe

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

Start by bringing a large pot of water to a boil, then add gluten free angel hair pasta (or regular if you don’t need to eat GF) – again, I use Ronzoni “thin spaghetti”. Cook until the angel hair is just shy of al dente, as it will continue to cook in the skillet with the garlic and herbs. DO NOT DRAIN the pasta once it’s done cooking!

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Step 2: Make the Garlic Herb Sauce

Meanwhile, on a burner next door, melt butter in a large skillet over heat that’s just a touch above medium. Add mincedshallot and pressed or minced garlic cloves then saute until the shallot is tender and the garlic is deliciously fragrant.

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Next add a combination of dried parsley, dried chives, dried basil, dried rosemary, and salt to the skillet and stir to combine.

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Step 3: Transfer the Pasta to the Skillet

If the angel hair noodles still have a minute or two to cook, take the skillet OFF the heat so the garlic doesn’t burn, but if the pasta is ready to rock, use tongs to transfer it directly into the skillet with the garlic herb mixture, reserving the pasta cooking water in the pot.

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Last step is to add freshly grated parmesan cheese then start ladling the reserved pasta water into the skillet a little at a time, stirring with tongs or a spatula to create a light and silky sauce. I usually add between 1/2 – 3/4 cup pasta water total.

Angel Hair Pasta with Garlic and Herbs - Pasta Packet Recipe (8)

That’s all she wrote! Scoop the angel hair pasta onto plates with the protein and vegetable of your choice, then go to town! I hope you love each and every drop of this heavenly, creamy angel hair pasta recipe that tastes just like the pasta packet…but better! Enjoy!

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More Easy Side Dish Recipes

  • Creamy Garlic Shells
  • Air Fryer Asparagus
  • Garlic Butter Roasted Mushrooms
  • The BEST Pasta Salad
  • Easy Cheddar Cheese Sauce for Vegetables
  • Mediterranean Orzo Salad

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Angel Hair Pasta with Garlic and Herbs (Pasta Packet Copycat!)

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gluten freevegetarian

4.5/5 (9 REVIEWS)

Description

Angel Hair Pasta with Garlic and Herbs is heavenly! This flavor-packed, 15 minute side dish is made completely with fridge and pantry staples.

Ingredients

serves 3-4

  • 4oz gluten free angel hair pasta
  • 2 Tablespoons butter
  • 1 small shallot, minced (~2 Tablespoons)
  • 2 cloves garlic, pressed or minced
  • slightly rounded 1/2 teaspoon dried chives
  • slightly rounded 1/2teaspoon dried parsley
  • slightly rounded 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed between your fingertips
  • salt, to taste
  • 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese (NOT powdered or pre-grated)

Directions

  1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil then add angel hair pasta and cook until it's just shy of al dente (pasta will continue to cook slightly in the skillet with the herb butter) - DO NOT DRAIN.
  2. Meanwhile, melt butter in a large skillet over heat that's a touch above medium then add shallots and saute until tender, 3-4 minutes. Add garlic then saute until extremely fragrant, 1-2 minutes. Add dried chives, parsley, basil, rosemary, and salt then stir to combine.
  3. Use tongs to transfer cooked angel hair pasta from the cooking pot to the skillet then add parmesan cheese and a scoop of pasta cooking water (~1/4 cup) and then start stirring with tongs or a spatula. Continue to stir, adding pasta cooking water as needed, until a light and silky sauce has formed around the pasta. Don't be afraid to keep adding the pasta cooking water - it will not dilute the flavor of the dish!
  4. Scoop angel hair pasta onto plates then serve.

Notes

  • Be sure to break up the dried rosemary as finely as possible using your fingertips so you don't get large, hard pieces of the dried herb in your angel hair pasta.
  • I do not recommend using powdered or pre-grated parmesan cheese for this dish, as it will clump vs creating a light and silky sauce. Freshly grate a wedge of parmesan cheese using a microplane so the cheese melts into the pasta.

This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.

Angel Hair Pasta with Garlic and Herbs - Pasta Packet Recipe (10)

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26 Comments

  1. Angel Hair Pasta with Garlic and Herbs - Pasta Packet Recipe (11) Geoff 11.28.2023

    Good copycat recipe that made a nice creamy and flavorful pasta dish. The family enjoyed it and there were no leftovers. Thank you.

    5

    • Angel Hair Pasta with Garlic and Herbs - Pasta Packet Recipe (12) Kristin 12.01.2023

      I’m so happy to hear it, Geoff! Thank you so much for your feedback and recipe rating!

      Reply

  2. Angel Hair Pasta with Garlic and Herbs - Pasta Packet Recipe (13) Kay 04.19.2023

    I never comment on recipes. But I had to for this one.I have been sincerely missing Pasta Roni’s craptacular awesomeness ever since gluten intolerance blessed me with its companionship. I was so excited to try this!Naturally, I tripled this recipe and made a whole box of GF pasta. Served it with the air fryer chicken (another iowa girl eats yumfest!) It was a fun, lighter springtime version of chicken and pasta. Everyone was happy. Even my son who hates everything.Can’t thank you enough, Kristin!

    5

    Reply

    • Angel Hair Pasta with Garlic and Herbs - Pasta Packet Recipe (14) Kristin 04.19.2023

      Yes, yes, yes! That sounds like a total slam dunk meal, Kay! And I can so relate to missing the craptacular awesomeness of Pasta Roni, hahahaha!

      Reply

  3. Angel Hair Pasta with Garlic and Herbs - Pasta Packet Recipe (15) Karen D 03.25.2023

    I used freshly grated parm and it still clumped — collecting all the herbs together! Next time I’ll omit the parm and sprinkle it on top at the table.

    2

    Reply

  4. Angel Hair Pasta with Garlic and Herbs - Pasta Packet Recipe (16) Shelly 03.05.2023

    I love this recipe as it is so easy to make and my entire family loves it! We had it tonight with steak and it paired perfectly.

    5

    Reply

    • Angel Hair Pasta with Garlic and Herbs - Pasta Packet Recipe (17) Kristin 03.06.2023

      The perfect pairing, Shelly! I’m so glad this recipe hit the spot. :)

      Reply

  5. Angel Hair Pasta with Garlic and Herbs - Pasta Packet Recipe (18) Christina F 10.16.2022

    How about the one pot version where I can use all dried herbs and seasonings? Even a “mix up these seasonings and add 2 Tbsp to milk, water, and butter that you cook the pasta in”?

    Reply

  6. Angel Hair Pasta with Garlic and Herbs - Pasta Packet Recipe (19) Bessie Giannakakis 08.21.2022

    Tried this dish as a fun Saturday night meal vs the typical pasta and sauce option and WOW, the entire family including kids loved it! They all went back for seconds! Thank you for an easy and very flavorful recipe!

    5

    Reply

  7. Angel Hair Pasta with Garlic and Herbs - Pasta Packet Recipe (21) Catrina Culver 02.21.2022

    Yum. That’s all I can say. It’s delicious! Thank you!

    5

    Reply

    • Angel Hair Pasta with Garlic and Herbs - Pasta Packet Recipe (22) Kristin 02.22.2022

      I’m so glad you loved it, Catrina! Thank you so much for your feedback and recipe rating!

      Reply

  8. Angel Hair Pasta with Garlic and Herbs - Pasta Packet Recipe (23) Deb 02.21.2022

    Wow how great! And can easily be gf/df. And you are using some pasta water which usually have shed vitamins from the pasta. If they have any. Thanks for making simple majorly family friendly recipes. My grands will love it.

    Reply

    • Angel Hair Pasta with Garlic and Herbs - Pasta Packet Recipe (24) Kristin 02.21.2022

      100% my pleasure, Deb! I hope it’s a hit with everyone! :D

      Reply

  9. Angel Hair Pasta with Garlic and Herbs - Pasta Packet Recipe (25) Kristi 02.18.2022

    I’ve been buying the Pasta Roni lately because it’s been on sale and I’ve been kinda lazy. I knew there had to be a copycat recipe and so glad I found yours! It’s super easy and delicious! I did end up using the pre-grated Parmesan since that’s all I had and it worked well enough. 5 stars from my picky 5 yr old, too!

    5

    Reply

    • Angel Hair Pasta with Garlic and Herbs - Pasta Packet Recipe (26) Kristin 02.21.2022

      Thrilled to hear it, Kristi! So glad it worked out for you guys. :)

      Reply

  10. Angel Hair Pasta with Garlic and Herbs - Pasta Packet Recipe (27) Kathy DeKoter 02.01.2022

    This was part of our supper last night and it was a hit! The Parmesan melted with the hot cooking water was a lovely, light sauce!

    Reply

    • Angel Hair Pasta with Garlic and Herbs - Pasta Packet Recipe (28) Kristin 02.21.2022

      I’m so glad you loved it, Kathy! Isn’t that parm + pasta water trick such a treat?!

      Reply

  11. Angel Hair Pasta with Garlic and Herbs - Pasta Packet Recipe (29) Brittany 12.01.2021

    Loved this! I used vegan butter and a vegan parmesan cheese powder. I used an extra tablespoon of butter and added the cheese to the mixture before I added the noodles and I didn’t have any issues with it clumping. Will definitely be adding this to my meal list!

    5

    Reply

    • Angel Hair Pasta with Garlic and Herbs - Pasta Packet Recipe (30) Kristin 02.21.2022

      Definitely support the addition of a little extra butter! ;) So glad it was a hit, Brittany!

      Reply

  12. Angel Hair Pasta with Garlic and Herbs - Pasta Packet Recipe (31) Holly 10.20.2021

    Ooooh this looks so good and easy! I’ll admit that the 4 cheese rice a roni is my guilty pleasure/weakness. If this is a continue series, that it has my vote for next up :D

    Reply

    • Angel Hair Pasta with Garlic and Herbs - Pasta Packet Recipe (32) Kristin 10.21.2021

      Haha, noted!! I hope you’re able to give this one a try sometime!

      Reply

  13. Angel Hair Pasta with Garlic and Herbs - Pasta Packet Recipe (33) Manda 10.20.2021

    This was a hit with my whole (8-person!) family! Thanks for your great recipes! I made it dairy-free using Violife Parmesan, and it was so yummy!

    5

    Reply

    • Angel Hair Pasta with Garlic and Herbs - Pasta Packet Recipe (34) Kristin 10.21.2021

      Woo!! So glad it scaled for you, and thanks for the vegan parm rec!!

      Reply

  14. Angel Hair Pasta with Garlic and Herbs - Pasta Packet Recipe (35) Judy 10.18.2021

    What kind of gf angel hair pasta do you use?

    Reply

    • Angel Hair Pasta with Garlic and Herbs - Pasta Packet Recipe (36) Kristin 10.18.2021

      I use Ronzoni GF for this dish!

      Reply

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hi, i'm kristin!

I’m a Midwestern wife and Mama, and after being diagnosed with Celiac Disease in 2013 I began sharing delicious and approachable gluten-free recipes made with everyday, in-season ingredients. Welcome!

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