Imagine a pasta dish so simple yet so incredibly delicious that it will transform your entire cooking experience. Spaghetti Aglio e Olio is the Italian culinary magic that proves you don't need complicated ingredients to create an extraordinary meal. With just a handful of pantry staples, you can whip up a restaurant-quality dish in mere minutes that will have your family and friends begging for seconds!
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 15 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 2 servings
Ingredients
- 200g spaghetti
- 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Salt to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
- Grated Parmesan cheese for serving
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 spaghetti to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water before draining.
- While the pasta is cooking, prepare the sauce. In a large cold skillet, combine the olive oil and thinly sliced garlic. Place the skillet over medium-low heat to slowly infuse the oil with garlic flavor.
- Gently cook the garlic, stirring occasionally, until it turns a light golden color. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it will become bitter. This should take about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the red pepper flakes to the garlic and oil, stirring to distribute evenly and release their aromatic oils.
- Drain the cooked spaghetti and immediately transfer it to the skillet with the garlic and oil. Toss the pasta thoroughly to coat each strand with the infused oil.
- If the pasta seems dry, add some of the reserved pasta water, a little at a time, to create a silky sauce that clings to the spaghetti.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt as needed. The pasta water and the salt from cooking the pasta will likely provide sufficient seasoning.
- Transfer the spaghetti to serving plates. Garnish generously with freshly chopped parsley and offer grated Parmesan cheese on the side.
- Serve immediately while hot, enjoying the simple yet intense flavors of this classic Italian pasta dish.
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 infuse oil without browning or becoming bitter.
- Always reserve pasta water before draining - it's liquid gold for creating a silky sauce.
- Fresh parsley is non-negotiable - it adds a bright, fresh finish to the dish.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan, not pre-packaged cheese, for the best flavor and texture.
- Serve immediately while hot to enjoy the full aromatic experience of garlic and oil.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 550kcal
Carbohydrates: 55g
Protein: 10g
Fat: 35g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Cholesterol: 5mg
