Pasta Almanac

The difference

Capellini vs Spaghetti

Capellini, angel hair, is the finest round strand there is, spaghetti is the medium standard. Capellini cooks in a minute or two and wants the lightest oil or broth, a heavy sauce buries it. Spaghetti is sturdier and takes almost anything.

Gouache illustration of Capellini

Capellini

Family
Long strands
Size
0.85 to 0.92 mm across
Surface
Smooth
Cook
2 to 4 min

Wants: Garlic and oil, Butter and sage, Tomato sauce

Gouache illustration of Spaghetti

Spaghetti

Family
Long strands
Size
250 to 300 mm long
Surface
Smooth
Cook
9 to 12 min

Wants: Tomato sauce, Carbonara, Garlic and oil

Compare more shapes, or look up Capellini and Spaghetti in full.