Hello, Good News! Welcome to another article where we share with you some amazing recipes that you can try at home. Today, we are going to talk about capellini cakes, which are crispy and cheesy pasta fritters that are perfect for appetizers, snacks, or even main courses. If you love pasta and cheese, you will love these capellini cakes!
Capellini cakes are made with thin strands of pasta called capellini or angel hair, which are cooked, mixed with eggs and cheese, and then fried in a skillet until golden and crisp. You can enjoy them plain or with various toppings, such as caramelized onions, tomato sauce, bacon, or mushrooms. They are easy to make and very versatile, so you can customize them according to your preferences and what you have in your pantry.
What You Need to Make Capellini Cakes
Ingredients
To make basic capellini cakes, you will need the following ingredients:
- Capellini or angel hair pasta: This is the main ingredient of the capellini cakes. You can use any brand of dried or fresh pasta, but make sure it is thin and delicate. You will need about half a pound of pasta for four servings.
- Eggs: Eggs help bind the pasta together and add richness and flavor. You will need two eggs for this recipe.
- Cheese: Cheese adds creaminess and saltiness to the capellini cakes. You can use any kind of cheese that melts well, such as mozzarella, parmesan, cheddar, or ricotta. You will need about one cup of grated cheese for this recipe.
- Parsley: Parsley adds freshness and color to the capellini cakes. You can use fresh or dried parsley, or substitute it with other herbs, such as basil, oregano, or thyme. You will need about a quarter cup of chopped parsley for this recipe.
- Salt and pepper: Salt and pepper season the capellini cakes and enhance their flavor. You can adjust the amount of salt and pepper according to your taste.
- Butter and oil: Butter and oil help fry the capellini cakes and make them crispy and golden. You can use any kind of butter or oil that has a high smoke point, such as vegetable oil, olive oil, or coconut oil. You will need about two tablespoons of each for this recipe.
Equipment
To make capellini cakes, you will need the following equipment:
- A large pot: A large pot is used to boil the pasta until al dente. Make sure the pot is big enough to hold enough water to cover the pasta.
- A colander: A colander is used to drain the pasta after it is cooked. You can also rinse the pasta under cold water to stop the cooking process and prevent it from sticking together.
- A large bowl: A large bowl is used to toss the pasta with the eggs, cheese, parsley, salt, and pepper. Make sure the bowl is big enough to hold all the ingredients and mix them well.
- A 12-inch nonstick skillet: A 12-inch nonstick skillet is used to fry the capellini cakes until crisp and golden on both sides. Make sure the skillet is nonstick so that the capellini cakes do not stick to the pan.
- A spatula: A spatula is used to flip the capellini cakes in the skillet. You can also use a spatula to press down on the capellini cakes to make them flat and even.
- A large platter or baking sheet: A large platter or baking sheet is used to invert the capellini cake from the skillet and slide it back into the pan. You can also use a large platter or baking sheet to serve the capellini cakes after they are cooked.
- A knife: A knife is used to cut the capellini cake into wedges before serving.
How to Make Capellini Cakes
Step 1: Cook the pasta
The first step to make capellini cakes is to cook the pasta until al dente, which means firm to the bite. To do this, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Then, add the capellini or angel hair pasta and cook according to the package directions, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Usually, it takes about 4 to 6 minutes for the pasta to be done.
Once the pasta is cooked, drain it in a colander and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process and prevent it from sticking together. Then, transfer it to a large bowl and set it aside.
Step 2: Add the eggs, cheese, parsley, salt, and pepper
The next step is to add the eggs, cheese, parsley, salt, and pepper to the pasta and toss well to combine. To do this, crack two eggs in a small bowl and whisk them lightly with a fork. Then, pour the eggs over the pasta and toss with a fork or your hands to coat the pasta evenly. Next, add one cup of grated cheese of your choice and a quarter cup of chopped parsley and toss again to distribute them throughout the pasta. Finally, season with salt and pepper to taste and toss one more time to mix well.
Now, you have the capellini cake batter ready. You can either cook it right away or refrigerate it for later use. If you refrigerate it, make sure to cover it with plastic wrap and use it within a day.
Step 3: Fry the capellini cakes
The last step is to fry the capellini cakes until crisp and golden on both sides. To do this, heat two tablespoons of butter and two tablespoons of oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. When the butter is melted and the oil is hot, spoon about half of the capellini cake batter into the skillet and spread it evenly with a spatula to form a thin layer that covers the bottom of the pan. Cook for about 10 minutes, or until the bottom is golden and crisp.
Then, carefully invert the capellini cake onto a large platter or baking sheet and slide it back into the pan to cook the other side. Cook for another 10 minutes, or until golden and crisp on both sides. Alternatively, you can cut the capellini cake into four wedges in the pan and flip each wedge individually with a spatula.
Once the capellini cake is done, transfer it to a cutting board and cut into wedges before serving. Repeat with the remaining batter to make another capellini cake.
Nutritional Information of Capellini Cakes
If you are wondering about the nutritional information of capellini cakes, here is a table that shows the approximate values per serving (one wedge) based on using mozzarella cheese and vegetable oil:
| Calories | Carbohydrates | Protein | Fat | Sodium | Fiber |
| ——– | ————- | ——- | — | —— | —– |
| 320 | 36 g | 14 g | 14 g| 300 mg | 2 g |
Of course, these values may vary depending on the type and amount of cheese and oil you use, as well as the size of your capellini cake. You can also reduce the calories and fat by using low-fat cheese and less oil.
FAQs About Capellini Cakes
What are capellini cakes?
Capellini cakes are crispy and cheesy pasta fritters that are made with thin strands of pasta called capellini or angel hair, eggs, cheese, parsley, salt, pepper, butter, and oil. They are easy to make and very versatile, as you can enjoy them plain or with various toppings.
How do you pronounce capellini?
Capellini is pronounced as kah-peh-LEE-nee in Italian. It means “little hairs” in English, because of its thin shape.
What is the difference between capellini and angel hair?
Capellini and angel hair are both types of thin pasta that are similar in shape and size. However, capellini is slightly thicker than angel hair, which is the thinnest pasta available. Capellini also has a more delicate texture than angel hair, which can be more chewy.
What kind of cheese should I use for capellini cakes?
You can use any kind of cheese that melts well and has a good flavor for capellini cakes, such as mozzarella, parmesan, cheddar, or ricotta. You can also mix different cheeses together to create your own blend.
What kind of toppings can I use for capellini cakes?
You can use any kind of toppings that you like for capellini cakes, such as caramelized onions, tomato sauce, bacon, mushrooms, spinach, ham, chicken, or shrimp. You can also drizzle some lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, or honey over the capellini cakes for some extra flavor.
How do I store and reheat capellini cakes?
You can store leftover capellini cakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat them, you can either microwave them for a few minutes or bake them in a preheated oven at 375°F for 10 to 15 minutes, until warm and crisp.
Can I freeze capellini cakes?
Yes, you can freeze capellini cakes for up to 3 months. To do this, let the capellini cakes cool completely and then wrap them individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag. To thaw them, you can either leave them in the refrigerator overnight or microwave them for a few minutes. To reheat them, you can either microwave them for a few minutes or bake them in a preheated oven at 375°F for 10 to 15 minutes, until warm and crisp.
Can I make capellini cakes gluten-free?
Yes, you can make capellini cakes gluten-free by using gluten-free pasta instead of regular pasta. You can also use gluten-free cheese and gluten-free breadcrumbs if you want to add some extra crunch to the capellini cakes.
Can I make capellini cakes vegan?
Yes, you can make capellini cakes vegan by using vegan pasta instead of regular pasta. You can also use vegan cheese and vegan eggs (such as flax eggs or aquafaba) instead of regular cheese and eggs. You can also use vegan butter and oil instead of regular butter and oil.
Can I make capellini cakes keto-friendly?
Yes, you can make capellini cakes keto-friendly by using keto-friendly pasta instead of regular pasta. You can also use low-carb cheese and eggs instead of regular cheese and eggs. You can also use butter and oil instead of regular butter and oil.
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed this article about how to make delicious capellini cakes with different toppings. Capellini cakes are crispy and cheesy pasta fritters that are perfect for appetizers, snacks, or even main courses. They are easy to make and very versatile, so you can customize them according to your preferences and what you have in your pantry.
If you liked this article, please check out our other articles where we share with you some amazing recipes that you can try at home. Thank you for reading and happy cooking!