Imagine a dish so simple yet so incredibly delicious that it transforms just a few humble ingredients into a culinary masterpiece. Bucatini Aglio e Olio is the ultimate Italian comfort food that promises to transport your taste buds straight to the streets of Naples with its bold garlic flavor, subtle heat from red pepper flakes, and perfectly cooked pasta. In just 30 minutes, you'll create a restaurant-worthy meal that will make you forget about complicated recipes forever.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 400g bucatini pasta
- 6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Salt to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with water and add a generous amount of salt (about 1 tablespoon per 4 quarts of water). Bring the water to a rolling boil over high heat.
- Add the bucatini pasta to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions, typically 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water before draining.
- While the pasta is cooking, prepare the sauce. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-low heat to prevent burning.
- Add the thinly sliced garlic and red pepper flakes to the olive oil. Cook slowly, stirring frequently, until the garlic becomes golden and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it will turn bitter.
- Once the pasta is cooked, drain it and immediately transfer to the skillet with the garlic and olive oil.
- Toss the pasta in the sauce, adding small amounts of reserved pasta water to help create a silky, emulsified sauce. The starchy water will help the sauce cling to the pasta.
- Season with salt to taste, ensuring the pasta is well-coated with the garlic and olive oil mixture.
- Remove from heat and transfer to serving plates. Garnish generously with freshly chopped parsley.
- Serve immediately while hot, allowing the aromatic garlic and herbs to provide maximum flavor.
Tips
- Use high-quality extra virgin olive oil - it makes a massive difference in the final flavor.
- Slice garlic thinly and evenly to ensure uniform cooking and prevent burning.
- Cook garlic on medium-low heat to achieve a golden, fragrant result without bitterness.
- Always reserve pasta water before draining - the starch is crucial for creating a silky sauce.
- Serve immediately while hot to enjoy the maximum aromatic experience.
- For an extra flavor boost, consider toasting the red pepper flakes in the oil before adding garlic.
- Use fresh parsley and chop it right before garnishing to maintain its vibrant color and flavor.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 480kcal
Carbohydrates: 65g
Protein: 12g
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 0mg
