Vermicelli vs Cabello de Ángel - What is the difference?
Some people may not know it, but not all fine pasta is called vermicelli.
There are actually different types of pasta, and depending on their thickness, they are classified as either the noodle family or the angel hair pasta family. Both noodles are similar, but with a few key differences.
So what is the difference between noodles and angel hair? Vermicelli pasta is generally any thin pasta. Its diameter is usually less than 0.06 inches, while angel hair paste is getting finer, measuring around 0.035 inches. Also, noodles are made with rice or starch, while angel hair is usually made with durum semolina flour.
Both noodles have a number of uses in authentic Italian cuisine and can also be found in Asian and even Asian-American cuisines. If you haven’t tried angel hair pasta, you’re missing something.
Read below to learn more about angel hair noodles and pasta and how you can use them in everyday cooking as well
vermicelli
The term vermicelli has been the placeholder for any fine pasta.
Whether in cookbooks, on TV, or on online resources, many people refer to fine pasta as vermicelli, which can cause understandable confusion when you come across the angel hair variety.
Vermicelli is an Italian term that translates to “little worms.” This type of pasta can be found in various dishes.
It is widely used in Italian cooking, but you can also find it in many Asian dishes. The noodles are also famous in many cold salads and hot pasta recipes.
This type of pasta is very versatile and is one of the most consumed types of noodles in the world. Due to its thinness, noodles make the ultimate comfort food.
These noodles have the ability to cook quickly due to their thinness. On average, you will only have to cook these noodles for about 3-5 minutes in boiling water.
By comparison, regular pasta can take much longer to even be al dente (almost cooked). This is one of the reasons why noodles are preferred in many noodle recipes, because they cook quickly and also offer a satisfying bite.
These noodles go very well with many different proteins and can also be paired with a number of vegetables. Vermicelli noodles are available under numerous brand names and also vary in thickness.
In general, you can find noodles between 0.04 and 0.06 inches in diameter.
Although, traditionally, noodles in Italy can also be 0.09 inches, which is even more than the diameter of normal spaghetti, which ranges from 0.07 to 0.11 inches.
In any case, this particular form of noodle is primarily associated with thin pasta.
angel hair
As its name suggests, angel hair is also a delicate and fine type of pasta. Unlike noodles, this noodle is usually made with hard semolina flour.
It is much thinner than regular noodles and has many uses besides savory pasta dishes.
Angel hair, also called capelli d’angelo or capellini, is less than 0.03 inch in diameter and can be cooked very quickly.
This type of pasta has many uses in soups, pasta recipes, and even dessert recipes. Angel hair is visually much finer and can also be more delicate.
Once cooked (which takes about 2-3 minutes), this paste takes on a distinct but delicate flavor, and it hardens and is easier to work with.
Angel hair is best served hot, so you won’t find it in many cold salad recipes.
Ideally, the best way to enjoy angel hair pasta is with various types of meat sauces.
This pasta can absorb flavors much more efficiently due to the semolina flour and will also be easier to digest (depending on the flour), however the ingredients in this pasta can vary from brand to brand.
Angel hair can be found all over the world, and even though it’s called Vermicelli, it looks quite different and if you put the two pasta shapes together, you can easily tell them apart by their size alone.
This type of pasta is great in soups and can also be used in dessert recipes. For example, in Asian cuisine, it is usually accompanied by sweetened milk and nuts. It is served hot and can also be easily added to various Chinese dishes.
Use noodles and angel hair interchangeably
Many people wonder if it is possible to use angel hair in a recipe that calls for noodles and vice versa.
The truth is, since there is such a huge variation in the thickness of these two pasta shapes, you can get away with substituting one for the other in various recipes.
The main thing is to take into account the purpose of the pasta when choosing between the two.
For example, you can freely use noodles in cold salads, but you may find it difficult to use angel hair due to its thinness and delicate texture.
Also, angel hair pasta can clump together if chilled, which doesn’t affect its flavor, but its plump texture will be very noticeable when eaten. Some people prefer to eat it cold, while others only eat it when it is hot.
The truth is that, when substituting one for the other in typical savory pasta recipes, the type of pasta you use will not matter.
Noodles can easily substitute for angel hair in some recipes, especially if they are about 0.04 inch in diameter.
Similarly, you might be able to get away with using angel hair when the recipe calls for noodles as well.
The fact of the matter is that there is not much difference between these two types of pasta, so you should not worry too much when using them in general pasta recipes.
The only major difference, aside from the thickness of the two pastas, is that vermicelli can be gluten-free, while angel hair is usually not gluten-free, being made with semolina flour.
Also, angel hair can be mixed with a light sauce and served with seafood, while vermicelli requires a thicker sauce.
As a basic rule of thumb, the thicker the pasta, the “heavier” and meatier the sauce can be.
So for those looking for a light pasta dish, angel hair may offer something delicious and possibly light compared to vermicelli and spaghetti.
When looking for noodles, you’ll usually find them for sale in a long strand folded into a U shape; you can break the noodles in half and cook them, or you can cook them whole as well.
For its part, angel hair is sold in the form of a loop nest.
To cook angel hair, simply place the noodle nest in boiling water for 2-3 minutes or until the pasta opens and becomes flexible.
The same method can be applied to noodles, as they have a similar cooking time, but can cook longer depending on their thickness.
If in doubt, always follow the instructions on the back of the packaging. Be sure to try these noodles in their respective dishes first to get an idea of their flavor and texture.
We are sure that you will love both and you will be able to find ways to use them in your own recipes as well.
Conclution
Noodles and angel hair are two very similar noodles that have a few key differences.
Although they can be used interchangeably, noodles are mostly used for heavier sauces and even cold salads, and angel hair (or “capellini”) is reserved for soups, light sauces, and seafood recipes.
Visually, these two pasta dishes may be different, as angel hair is usually sold in nest-shaped rolls, while noodles are longer and are sold in long U-shaped strips.
If you want to try a good pasta dish that is easy to prepare, we recommend starting with angel hair, as it is not that common compared to vermicelli and spaghetti.