Angel hair pasta is a delicate, thin noodle that cooks very quickly. Its thin strands and light texture make it a great match for light sauces and broths. However, there is some debate over whether or not you need to rinse angel hair pasta before cooking. Some sources say rinsing removes excess starch while others argue the starch helps the pasta stick together. So what’s the real answer – should you rinse angel hair pasta or not?
What is Angel Hair Pasta?
Angel hair pasta is a long, thin noodle that has a diameter ranging from 0.031 to 0.064 inches. It’s one of the thinnest pasta varieties available. The delicate strands are solid rather than hollow.
Some key features of angel hair pasta include:
- Very fine diameter and delicate texture
- Cooks faster than most other pasta shapes
- Originated in Italy
- Often used in light dishes like seafood pastas or broth-based soups
- Works well with light, thin sauces that cling to the strands
- Soft and tender when cooked al dente
- Can be used in pasta salads
- Also called capellini
The thinness of angel hair pasta allows it to cook very quickly. It can be boiled for just 2-3 minutes before becoming al dente. This makes it one of the quickest-cooking pasta varieties.
Does Angel Hair Pasta Need to Be Rinsed?
When cooking dried pasta, many people rinse it first. The main reason is to remove excess starch from the outside of the noodles. Here are the pros and cons of rinsing angel hair pasta before cooking:
Reasons to Rinse
- Removes starch – Rinsing washes off the outer starch coating that builds up when pasta is dried. This prevents the pasta from sticking together.
- Prevents frothing – The excess starch can make water frothy and bubbly as pasta cooks. Rinsing prevents this.
- Avoids sticky pasta – Some people claim rinsing keeps cooked pasta from being gummy or sticky.
- Cleaner tasting pasta – Rinsing produces a cleaner, fresher flavor in cooked pasta.
Reasons Not to Rinse
- Pasta sticks together – The starch washed off by rinsing helps pasta strands hold together. Rinsing may cause delicate pastas like angel hair to fall apart.
- Loss of nutrients – Some water-soluble vitamins and minerals may be lost when pasta is rinsed.
- Time consuming – Having to rinse pasta adds more time to the cooking process.
- No flavor impact – Most people don’t notice a major flavor difference between rinsed and unrinsed pasta.
So in considering these pros and cons, should you rinse angel hair pasta? Here are some best practices:
Best Practices for Cooking Angel Hair Pasta
Rinse for stability
For delicate pastas like angel hair, rinsing is recommended to prevent sticking and clumping. The thin strands need the starch washed away to stay separated as they cook.
Give angel hair a quick 5-10 second rinse before boiling to get rid of excess surface starch. This will allow the strands to cook evenly.
Use plenty of water
Cooking angel hair in an abundance of water reduces sticking. Use at least 4-6 quarts of water for every 1/2 pound of dried pasta. As the pasta moves freely in the water, the strands are less likely to stick to each other.
Salt the water
Adding salt to the pasta cooking water enhances flavor. Use around 1 tablespoon salt for every 4 quarts of water. The salty water gets absorbed into the pasta as it cooks, seasoning it from the inside out.
Stir occasionally
Stirring angel hair once or twice during cooking helps prevent sticking. Pasta releases starch as it cooks, so give the pot an occasional gentle stir to keep things moving freely.
Don’t overcook
Angel hair pasta cooks very quickly, so watch it closely and don’t overdo it. Overcooked pasta tends to get sticky. Take the pasta off the heat just before it reaches the al dente stage as it will continue cooking a bit longer off the burner.
Drain thoroughly before saucing
Drain angel hair very well after cooking so no water remains. Any residual water will turn the strands mushy when sauce is added. Let it drain for a minute or two after cooking to get rid of all excess moisture.
Recipe Tips for Angel Hair Pasta
Angel hair pasta pairs best with light, delicate sauces. Heavy, chunky sauces will weigh it down. Here are some tasty angel hair recipe ideas:
Seafood Pastas
The thin strands are perfect with seafood like shrimp, scallops, clams or crab meat. Light pasta recipes like angel hair with olive oil, garlic and parsley work well. Or try an angel hair pasta in a lemony white wine sauce.
Pestos
Homemade or store-bought pesto is fantastic with angel hair. The basil, pine nuts and olive oil lightly coat the pasta. Try our angel hair with pesto, sun-dried tomatoes and shrimp.
Cream Sauces
Delicate cream sauces complement angel hair’s texture nicely. Our angel hair with smoked salmon in a light cream sauce is amazing. You can also make angel hair carbonara by tossing cooked pasta with cream, Parmesan, bacon and peas.
Soups
For minestrone, chicken noodle or seafood soups, angel hair is the perfect pasta. It cooks right in the broth and matches the soup consistency.
Salads
Chilled angel hair pasta salads are simple to make ahead. Toss it with vinaigrette dressing plus veggies, meat or seafood. Angel hair is also commonly used in Asian noodle salads.
The Verdict on Rinsing Angel Hair Pasta
In summary, here are some final tips on whether or not to rinse angel hair pasta:
- Do give it a very brief 5-10 second rinse to wash off excess surface starch and prevent sticking.
- Use plenty of boiling water and stir occasionally as it cooks.
- Don’t rinse too long or you may wash away nutrients and flavors.
- Drain it very well after cooking and before adding sauce.
- Pair it with light, thin sauces that won’t weigh it down.
So go ahead and rinse your angel hair pasta quickly before cooking. This prevents a gummy, starchy texture and allows the delicate strands to cook up perfectly al dente. Just be sure not to overdo the rinsing and risk losing flavor. Follow our recipe tips for making the most of this thin, quick-cooking pasta. With the right sauce, angel hair makes an elegant and tasty dish!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is angel hair pasta so thin?
Angel hair pasta is pulled into very thin strands to create its signature delicate, hair-like texture. The thinness enables it to cook very quickly and pair well with light sauces. The delicate strands also add elegance to pasta dishes.
Does rinsing pasta wash away nutrients?
Rinsing pasta briefly will only remove a small amount of nutrients like thiamin, riboflavin, niacin and iron that dissolve in water. Limiting the rinse time to 5-10 seconds minimizes nutrient loss. You’ll still get most of the nutrients by eating the entire cooked pasta.
Should you oil pasta after cooking?
It’s best not to oil cooked pasta as it can prevent sauces from sticking properly. For angel hair, simply drain it very well after cooking and sauce it immediately while hot. The heat helps the sauce coat the strands.
What sauces go well with angel hair pasta?
The best sauces for angel hair are light and thin enough to coat the thin strands. Good options include olive oil or herb sauces, pestos, cream or cheese-based sauces, tomato-based sauces, and brothy seafood sauces. Avoid heavy, thick sauces that will overwhelm the delicate pasta.
Can you substitute angel hair for spaghetti?
Yes, you can substitute angel hair in any recipe calling for spaghetti. Just reduce the cooking time since angel hair takes less time to become al dente. The texture will be slightly different but the flavor will still work.
Conclusion
Angel hair pasta has a lovely thin, delicate texture that makes it perfect for lighter dishes. Its thin strands cook up quickly in just 2-3 minutes. While some debate washing the starch off pasta, a brief 5-10 second rinse of angel hair before cooking is recommended. This prevents the fragile strands from sticking together. Use plenty of salted boiling water, stir occasionally, and drain very well after cooking. Pair angel hair with light sauces like olive oil, pesto or seafood sauces that complement rather than overwhelm the fine noodles. With the right prep and sauce, angel hair pasta makes an easy, tasty meal. Enjoy its simple elegance on your dinner table tonight.