Quick & Flavorful Spaghetti Aglio e Olio Recipe for Pasta Lovers

Pasta nights never felt more magical than with this spaghetti aglio e olio that whispers classic Italian simplicity.

The humble ingredients dance together with surprising elegance and depth.

Garlic shimmers through olive oil, creating a sauce both delicate and robust.

Chili flakes add a gentle warmth that tingles without overwhelming delicate palates.

Salt and parsley bring bright notes to this minimalist masterpiece.

Each twirl of noodles carries incredible flavor without complicated techniques.

Rush to your kitchen and create something wonderfully authentic in mere minutes.

How To Store Spaghetti Aglio E Olio Recipe

• Preserve your delicious Spaghetti Aglio e Olio with care.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Gently reheat the pasta in a skillet with a splash of water to restore its silky texture and prevent dryness.
• Avoid microwaving, as it can make the pasta tough and compromise the delicate garlic and olive oil flavors.
• For best quality, consume within 24 hours when the herbs and spices remain most vibrant.
• Discard any pasta left at room temperature for more than 2 hours to ensure food safety.

Great Sides For Spaghetti Aglio E Olio Recipe

• Dive into Zesty Wine Pairing: Crisp Italian white wines like Pinot Grigio or Vermentino beautifully complement the garlic and olive oil's delicate flavors, cutting through the dish's simple richness.
• Fire Up Spicy Beverage Match: A cold Italian pilsner or light beer provides refreshing contrast to the red pepper flakes, balancing the heat with its crisp, clean finish.
• Create Herbal Side Harmony: Fresh bruschetta with ripe tomatoes and basil serves as a perfect accompaniment, adding bright acidity and complementary Mediterranean flavors to the spaghetti.
• Enhance Cheese Lover's Delight: Serve with a small side of aged pecorino romano or additional freshly grated Parmesan to amplify the dish's savory notes and provide extra depth.

Fun Changes To Spaghetti Aglio E Olio Recipe

• Spicy Seafood Fusion: Enhance the classic recipe by adding succulent shrimp or tender calamari rings to the sautéed garlic, creating a protein-packed Mediterranean-inspired meal.
• Herb Garden Remix: Incorporate fresh basil, thyme, and oregano alongside the parsley for a more complex herbal profile that elevates the traditional spaghetti aglio e olio.
• Vegetable Power Boost: Toss in roasted cherry tomatoes, sautéed spinach, or grilled zucchini to add nutritional value and vibrant colors to the simple pasta dish.
• Nutty Crunch Upgrade: Sprinkle toasted pine nuts or crispy breadcrumbs over the finished pasta for an added layer of texture and nutty flavor that complements the garlic and olive oil base.

FAQ On Spaghetti Aglio E Olio Recipe

• What makes Spaghetti Aglio e Olio a classic Italian dish?

This simple yet delicious pasta originates from Naples, Italy, and is loved for its minimalist approach using just a few high-quality ingredients like garlic, olive oil, and red pepper flakes.

• Can I make this recipe spicy or mild?

Absolutely! The red pepper flakes give you total control. Use less for a mild version or add more if you love heat. The beauty of this dish is its flexibility with spice levels.

• Why is it important to not burn the garlic?

Burning garlic creates a bitter, acrid taste that ruins the entire dish. Sauté it gently until it’s just golden and fragrant to maintain a sweet, nutty flavor that’s crucial to the recipe’s success.

• Do I really need to save pasta water?

Yes! The starchy pasta water helps create a silky, emulsified sauce that coats the spaghetti perfectly. It’s a secret weapon in many Italian pasta recipes that helps bind the ingredients together.

Why Spaghetti Aglio E Olio Recipe Is So Loved

• Whip Up Speedy Simplicity: This spaghetti aglio e olio recipe delivers a gourmet meal in just 15 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights when you crave delicious food without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Embrace Minimal Ingredient Magic: With only a handful of pantry staples like garlic, olive oil, and pasta, you can create an incredibly flavorful dish that feels like a restaurant-quality experience without complex shopping lists.
• Customize Your Comfort: The recipe offers flexible heat levels by adjusting red pepper flakes and provides optional toppings like Parmesan and lemon, allowing home cooks to personalize their pasta according to individual taste preferences.
• Master Beginner-Friendly Technique: Even novice cooks can nail this classic Italian recipe, learning fundamental cooking skills like sautéing garlic and creating a silky sauce with pasta water while building culinary confidence.

What’s Needed For Spaghetti Aglio E Olio Recipe

• Spaghetti: Classic long pasta perfect for coating with flavorful sauce, choose high-quality durum wheat pasta for best texture.

• Garlic, Red Pepper Flakes: Powerful flavor combination that creates a spicy and fragrant base, select fresh garlic cloves for maximum punch.
• Parsley: Fresh herb that adds bright color and light herbal notes, choose fresh flat-leaf parsley for best flavor.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance overall taste, use freshly ground black pepper for maximum aroma.

• Olive Oil: Foundation of the sauce that carries flavors, select extra virgin olive oil for rich taste.
• Pasta Water: Starchy liquid that helps create silky sauce, reserved during pasta cooking process.
• Parmesan Cheese: Optional topping that adds salty and nutty depth, grate fresh for best melting.
• Lemon: Optional bright acidic finish that can lift the entire dish's flavor profile, use fresh lemon juice.

Easy Instructions For Spaghetti Aglio E Olio Recipe

Step 1: Boil Water and Cook Pasta

Fill a large pot with water and add a generous sprinkle of salt. Bring the water to a rolling boil. Gently slide the spaghetti into the bubbling water, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Cook until the pasta reaches a perfect al dente texture, typically following the package timing. Before draining, carefully scoop out some pasta water and set aside. Drain the pasta in a colander.

Step 2: Prepare Aromatic Garlic Oil

Grab a spacious skillet and pour in olive oil. Warm the oil over medium heat until it shimmers slightly. Thinly slice fresh garlic cloves and add them to the heated oil. Sauté the garlic, moving it around the pan, watching carefully to achieve a beautiful golden color without burning. The kitchen will fill with an incredible fragrant aroma.

Step 3: Spice Things Up

Sprinkle red pepper flakes into the garlic-infused oil. Let the spices dance and release their warmth for about 30 seconds, creating a delightful base of flavor.

Step 4: Combine Pasta and Sauce

Transfer the drained pasta directly into the skillet with the garlic and pepper flake oil. Gently toss the pasta, allowing it to get coated in the flavorful mixture. Pour in some reserved pasta water to create a silky, luxurious sauce that clings to every strand.

Step 5: Final Touches and Serving

• Grated Parmesan cheese
• Fresh lemon juice
• Additional red pepper flakes

Serve immediately while the pasta is piping hot and the flavors are at their peak.

Tips For Better Spaghetti Aglio E Olio Recipe

• Prevent Garlic Burning: Keep a close eye on the garlic while sautéing and adjust heat to medium-low to avoid bitter, burnt flavors that can ruin the dish's delicate taste.
• Pasta Water Magic: Always save some pasta water before draining, as its starchy consistency helps create a smooth, silky sauce that clings perfectly to the spaghetti.
• Customize Spice Levels: Adjust red pepper flakes to suit your heat preference – use less for a mild version or add more for a fiery kick that tingles your taste buds.
• Boost Flavor Depth: Try toasting whole garlic cloves slightly longer for a deeper, nuttier undertone that elevates the classic aglio e olio from simple to extraordinary.
• Vegan-Friendly Twist: Replace Parmesan with nutritional yeast for a dairy-free alternative that still provides a rich, cheesy flavor profile to the dish.

Spaghetti Aglio E Olio Recipe

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4.7 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Spaghetti aglio e olio whisks diners straight to Naples with its simple yet bold Italian charm. Garlic-infused olive oil coats perfectly al dente pasta, creating a classic comfort dish that celebrates minimalist Mediterranean cooking with intense flavor.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta:

• 12 ounces (340 grams) spaghetti

Herbs and Spices:

• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped

Oils, Seasonings, and Optional Toppings:

• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• ½ cup pasta water (reserved)
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
• Lemon wedges (for serving, optional)

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Instructions

1. Prepare a generously salted water bath in a spacious pot, bringing it to a rolling boil. Submerge the spaghetti and cook until it reaches a tender yet firm consistency, following the package guidance. Carefully extract a modest portion of the starchy liquid before draining the pasta completely.
2. Select a generously sized skillet and warm the olive oil over medium temperature. Introduce delicately sliced garlic, allowing it to dance and transform into a golden hue while releasing its aromatic essence. Exercise vigilance to prevent scorching.
3. Sprinkle the fiery red pepper flakes into the fragrant oil, creating a brief moment of sizzling infusion that will awaken the entire dish’s flavor profile.
4. Transfer the freshly drained pasta into the aromatic skillet. Introduce a splash of the reserved cooking liquid, gently manipulating the strands to ensure each is lovingly coated with the garlicky oil. Adjust the liquid quantity to create a silken, glossy texture that clings beautifully to the spaghetti.
5. Elevate the dish’s complexity by incorporating finely chopped parsley, a whisper of salt, and a generous twist of black pepper. For those seeking additional indulgence, consider garnishing with a delicate shower of Parmesan and a bright citrus squeeze. Serve immediately to capture the dish’s optimal temperature and vibrancy.

Notes

• Prevent burning garlic by using medium-low heat and constantly monitoring the skillet during sautéing to ensure a golden, nutty flavor without bitterness.
• Enhance the pasta’s silkiness by gradually adding reserved pasta water, which helps create a smooth, clingy sauce that perfectly coats each strand of spaghetti.
• Customize heat levels by adjusting red pepper flakes – use less for a mild version or more for a spicier kick that suits different taste preferences.
• Transform this classic dish into a protein-packed meal by adding grilled shrimp, crispy pancetta, or roasted chicken for extra substance and nutrition.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 600
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 500 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 75 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 15 g
• Cholesterol: 10 mg