This delicious Spaghetti Aglio e Olio recipe is not only incredibly quick and easy to make but also uses simple ingredients you probably have in your pantry anyway!
It’s a versatile recipe that you can make easily at home and customize according to your preferences.
This spaghetti with garlic and oil dish is here to win your hearts. Try this recipe once, and you’ll want to make it again and again!
What is Spaghetti Aglio e Olio?
Spaghetti Aglio e Olio is an Italian spaghetti dish that originated in Naples, Italy.
It's a popular, delicious pasta dish that represents Neapolitan cuisine perfectly. The name for the dish, Spaghetti Aglio e Olio, literally translates to spaghetti with garlic and oil.
One of the reasons it is so popular is that it is simple to create and uses inexpensive, readily available ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry!
Traditionally, the dish mainly consists of spaghetti, garlic, and extra virgin olive oil, but many popular variations of it also include a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley and red pepper flakes.
It’s a delicious pasta dish that serves as the perfect base to customize and make your own.
What You Need to Make Spaghetti Aglio e Olio at Home
All you need are some basic ingredients that are probably already in your pantry
Spaghetti: This easy pasta recipe is all about spaghetti! But you can use any other you like as well such as angel hair pasta, linguine, and fettuccine. But traditionally spaghetti is used and that’s also why it’s in the name of the dish. Another easy and delicious recipe is my Spaghetti Bolognese recipe, don't forget to check it out!
Garlic cloves: Garlic is by far one of the star ingredients in this dish! We’ll be using sliced garlic cloves to make this recipe. Alternatively, you can also go for chopped garlic instead.
Olive oil: Extra virgin olive oil is what I recommend you use while making the dish. There are very few basic ingredients we’ll be using, so you’ll get the best results if you use the best quality ingredients you can find. And that’s definitely the case with olive oil!
Crushed red pepper flakes: To add a little heat to our pasta dish, we’ll be using some dried red chili flakes in our recipe. Traditionally, Italians use fresh pepperoncini in this dish. Since these are difficult to find elsewhere around the world, most recipes substitute it with crushed red pepper flakes and that’s what we’ll be doing today.
Salt: You’ll need some salt to taste to bring out all the flavors from our other ingredients.
Black pepper: We’ll also be adding some black pepper to the spaghetti. You can go for either black pepper powder or crushed black pepper.
Fresh parsley: In the cooking and to garnish our pasta, we’ll be using some chopped fresh parsley.
Reserved pasta water: You’ll also need some reserved pasta water that will help all our flavors come together perfectly.
How to Make Spaghetti Aglio e Olio Step by Step
This pasta recipe is perfect for beginners as well as seasoned cooks. Here’s what you need to do to make it at home:
How to Boil Pasta for Spaghetti Aglio e Olio
Many add a little bit of oil to the boiling water to prevent it from sticking. However, doing so prevents the starch from sticking to the pasta which later prevents the pasta from taking in the flavor from the sauce.
The best way to prevent the pasta from sticking together is to boil the pasta in a large pot of water to help it move when the water is boiling. The other way is to drain the pasta and leave it drained for not more than a few seconds.
Follow the package instructions on the pasta box, although, I always cook the pasta three to four minutes more since I’m not fond of the al dente texture.
Reserve half a cup of the pasta water on the side to use later.
How to Make Spaghetti Aglio e Olio
In a large pan, add the olive oil, keep the heat on low, and when the oil is hot, add the garlic. Sauté the garlic on low heat for a few seconds, and make sure the garlic doesn’t turn brown at all.
Now, add the chopped parsley and stir for a few seconds, then add the black pepper and the red chili flakes. Mix well. The goal here is to bring out the aroma from these ingredients and not to thoroughly cook them in the oil.
Pour in the pasta water reserved earlier and salt, and let it simmer for a few seconds.
Add in the cooked pasta and mix well using tongs.
Turn off the heat and cover the pasta for 7 to 10 minutes, allowing all the flavors to come together. Mix the pasta one more time before serving.
Your delicious Spaghetti Aglio e Olio is ready to be served! Serve with Parmesan cheese or grilled bread.
Tips for Making the Most Delicious Spaghetti Aglio e Olio Ever
Making this dish is the easiest thing ever! But here are some tips and tricks to make it even easier for you:
- It’s best to use freshly chopped parsley, dried parsley will not add flavor to the dish.
- Instead of chili flakes, you can chop one red chili and use it in the recipe.
- Use the best brand of olive oil to enjoy the taste.
- The garlic should be thinly sliced, if you burn the garlic the taste of its bitterness will be overwhelming and will ruin the dish. When cooked the garlic should look translucent and not golden or light brown.
- Other types of pasta that go well in this dish are Linguine and fettuccine.
- This dish tastes amazing with cold salads and or bread.
How to Store Spaghetti Aglio e Olio
If you have any leftovers, you can store them in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
It’s an incredibly easy dish to prepare, so I don’t suggest freezing it as you’ll lose the flavor and texture.
Recipe Variation Ideas You Can Try
This Spaghetti Aglio e Olio recipe is a classic and features beautiful, traditional ingredients. But if you’re looking to add a few more ingredients to make it your own, it’s the perfect recipe for that too!
It’s an incredibly versatile recipe that you can customize according to your preferences. Here are a few ideas you may want to try:
Veggies: This is the perfect pasta dish to incorporate your favorite vegetables! Some great choices include boiled broccoli or some sautéed spinach. But feel free to add whichever veggies you love the most.
Lemon juice: A popular combination of this recipe is to add some lemon juice and zest to it! It’ll add a tangy flavor that compliments the garlic, oil, and pepper flakes really well.
Chicken: You can also add some cooked chicken or any other kind of meat you like. It’ll add some protein to it and make it more filling.
Spaghetti Aglio e Olio Recipe
Ingredients
- Cooked Spaghetti enough for three people
- 3 tablespoon thinly sliced garlic
- 4 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon red chili flakes
- Salt to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 to 3 tablespoon chopped parsley
- ½ cup pasta water
Instructions
COOKING THE PASTA
- Many add a little bit of oil in the pasta cooking water to prevent it from sticking. However, doing so prevents the starch from sticking to the pasta which later prevents the pasta from taking in the flavor from the sauce.
- The best way to prevent the pasta from sticking together is by cooking it in a lot of water to help it move when the water is boiling. The other way is to drain the pasta and leave it drained for more than a few seconds.
- Follow the cooking instructions on the pasta box, although, I always cook the pasta three to four minutes more since I’m not fond of the al dente texture.
- Keep half a cup of the pasta water on the side
MAKING THE SPAGHETTI AGLIO E OLIO
- In a large pan, add the olive oil, keep the heat on low, and when the oil is hot, add the garlic. Cook the garlic on low heat for a few seconds, make sure the garlic doesn’t turn brown at all.
- Now, add the chopped parsley and stir for a few seconds, then add the black pepper and the red chili flakes. Mix well. The goal here is to bring out the aroma from these ingredients and not to thoroughly cook them in the oil.
- Pour in the pasta water reserved earlier and salt, let it simmer for a few seconds.
- Add in the cooked pasta and mix well using tongs.
- Turn off the heat and cover the pasta for 7 to 10 minutes, allowing all the flavors to come together. Mix the pasta one more time before serving.
- Serve with Parmesan cheese or grilled bread.
Video
Notes
- It’s best to use freshly chopped parsley, dried parsley will not add flavor to the dish.
- Instead of chili flakes, you can chop one red chili and use it in the recipe.
- Use the best brand of olive oil to enjoy the taste.
- The garlic should be thinly sliced, if you burn the garlic the taste of its bitterness will be overwhelming and will ruin the dish. When cooked the garlic should look translucent and not golden or light brown.
- To store. Place the leftover in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
- Other types of pasta that go well in this dish are Linguine and fettuccine.
- This dish tastes amazing with cold salads and or bread.
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