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    Home » Vegetarian Pasta Recipes

    Angel Hair Noodles with Arugula and Pistachio

    Lindsay Moe

    642 shares
    pinterest image collage of angel hair noodles with arugula and pistachio
    pinterest image of angel hair noodles with arugula and pistachio

    Thin angel hair noodles are tossed with garlic oil, toasted breadcrumbs, pistachios, and arugula to make this unique and flavorful dish. It’s an easily customizable dinner recipe that can quickly be made vegan or gluten-free.

    image of two plates with angel hair noodles with arugula and pistachio and a small bowl with chili flakes
    Jump to Recipe

    This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases. All opinions are my own.

    Quick and easy pasta recipes are my life right now. Angel hair noodles with arugula and pistachio fit right in!

    This recipe is ready in under 20 minutes and uses just a handful of (mostly) pantry ingredients. Bread crumbs and pistachios get toasted for maximum flavor, oil gets infused with garlic and chili flakes, and fresh lemon zest and juice brightens everything up.

    This is a great go-to for busy weeknights when you don’t feel like cooking. I love how light angel hair pasta feels while still enjoying what is basically a mountain of pasta!

    Ingredients

    image of ingredients for angel hair noodles with arugula and pistachio
    • Angel hair pasta
    • Olive oil
    • Panko bread crumbs
    • Pistachios
    • Garlic
    • Arugula
    • Lemon
    • Salt + pepper
    • Crushed red pepper flakes
    • Parmesan cheese (optional)

    How to make angel hair noodles with arugula and pistachio

    1. Boil pasta according to package directions
    2. Toast breadcrumbs and pistachios in olive oil until golden brown
    3. Heat olive oil, garlic, and crushed red pepper flakes until the garlic is golden
    4. Add lemon zest
    5. Toss pasta with breadcrumbs, garlic oil, and arugula
    6. Top with parmesan cheese

    Top tips for cooking this angel hair pasta recipe

    How to get perfectly toasted bread crumbs and nuts

    Make sure you stir your bread crumbs and pistachios as they toast. They can easily burn if you take your eyes off them, or toast unevenly if left to sit too long.

    image of white bowl with breadcrumbs and pistachios

    Can I use the same pan used for the breadcrumbs for the garlic oil?

    Yes, as long as you have removed all the breadcrumbs and nuts from the pan you can reuse this pan for the garlic oil without fully cleaning it.

    Is angel hair pasta the same as capellini?

    Angel hair pasta (also known as capelli d’angelo) is slightly thinner than capellini pasta. Both are thin, long cut pasta and can be used in this recipe interchangeably.

    How to get perfectly cooked angel hair pasta

    Angel hair pasta cooks quickly. Be sure to check the box for recommended cooking times and use a timer to keep an eye on it.

    Save time with shelled pistachios

    I love using store bought shelled pistachios for this recipe, so I don’t need to spend a ton of time removing the shells. I do find the flavor of pistachios in the shell to be better, so if you don’t mind taking the time (or have lots of little hands in your family to help remove shells!) that is also an option.

    image of two plates with angel hair noodles with arugula and pistachio and small bowl of chili flakes in distance

    Tips for customizing

    • Skip the breadcrumbs, use gluten-free breadcrumbs, or swap them for more pistachios
    • Choose a vegetarian friendly parmesan cheese, or leave it off entirely to keep this pasta vegan
    • Use flavored pistachios for an extra flavor punch
    • Swap the arugula for another leafy green such as spinach or mustard greens

    More easy pasta recipes

    • Easy Fettuccine Alfredo
    • Spaghetti Aglio Olio
    • Pesto Linguine
    • Roasted Garlic and Broccoli Pasta
    • Lemon Anchovy Spaghetti
    image close up of white plate with angel hair noodles with arugula and pistachio

    If you make this recipe, be sure to rate it, leave a comment, or tag #theliveinkitchen on Instagram!

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    featured image of angel hair noodles with arugula and pistachio

    Angel Hair Noodles with Arugula and Pistachio

    Thin angel hair noodles are tossed with garlic oil, lemon zest, and toasted bread crumbs and pistachios.
    4 from 6 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 12 minutes
    Total Time: 17 minutes
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 506kcal
    Author: Lindsay Moe

    Ingredients

    • 1 pound angel hair pasta
    • 6 tablespoons olive oil, divided
    • 1 cup whole wheat panko bread crumbs
    • ½ cup shelled roasted and salted pistachios, chopped
    • Coarse kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
    • 3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
    • ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper
    • Zest and juice of one lemon
    • 3 cups firmly packed arugula
    • Parmesan cheese, (optional)

    Instructions

    • Set a large pot of water on to boil and cook the pasta according to package directions.
    • Meanwhile, in a large skillet, combine 1 tablespoon olive oil with bread crumbs and pistachios, stirring to coat evenly. Place the pan over medium heat and toast, stirring, until the breadcrumbs are golden brown, about 10 minutes. Transfer the mixture to a small bowl and season with salt and pepper.
    • In the same pan, heat the remaining 5 tablespoons olive oil over medium low heat. Add the garlic and crushed red pepper and allow to cook gently, stirring, until the garlic is a pale blonde color, about two minutes. Add the lemon zest and remove from the heat.
    • When the pasta is done cooking, drain and return to the pot. Combine with the breadcrumb mixture, garlic oil, and arugula, tossing to coat the pasta completely and wilt down the greens. Serve with a squeeze of lemon juice and a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese if desired.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 506kcal | Carbohydrates: 67g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 82mg | Potassium: 336mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 305IU | Vitamin C: 2.6mg | Calcium: 64mg | Iron: 2.1mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @theliveinkitchen or tag #theliveinkitchen!

    More Vegetarian Pasta Recipes

    • Halloumi Carbonara
    • Halloumi Stroganoff
    • Baked Ravioli
    • Greek Orzo Salad

    Reader Interactions

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    1. Danielle | Krafted Koch says

      August 11, 2014 at 8:19 pm

      Oh my goodness, this looks phenomenal!

      Reply
    2. Martha @ A Family Feast says

      August 12, 2014 at 8:16 am

      I love the combination of flavors in this dish!

      Reply
    3. Shanna @ Pineapple and Coconut says

      August 12, 2014 at 10:01 am

      Sorry about the loss of your dad, I can’t even imagine.

      Reply

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    lindsay moe in a kitchen with glasses on shelves behind her

    Hi, I'm Lindsay! I've been creating easily customizable vegetarian recipes since 2011. I love the outdoors, brownies, and brand new books. I live and work in La Crosse, Wisconsin and founded Wild Flour Media to expand on my love for food photography and videography to my community and beyond.

    More about me →

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