Spaghetti Aglio e Olio uses simple ingredients to create a dish bursting with flavor! With just garlic, olive oil, chili flakes, pasta, and parmesan cheese , this classic Italian recipe is a go-to for a tasty meal in less than 30 minutes.
Reasons You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simply Delicious: This dish is perfect for weeknight dinners or when you’re craving something elegant without the fuss.
- Quick and Easy: You can have this dish ready in under 30 minutes with just a handful of ingredients and minimal effort.
- Customizable: You can easily adjust this recipe to suit your tastes. Omit the red pepper flakes if you don’t want spice. You can even add in some protein, like chicken or shrimp . Veggies like spinach, zucchini, bell pepper, or mushrooms would also be tasty.
Balance of Simplicity and Incredible Flavor
This Spaghetti aglio e olio is the ideal balance of simplicity and luxurious flavor , just like my 30-Minute Carbonara . It’s the perfect recipe to get out when you are short on time, or just not in the mood to make something time consuming. It is also not the recipe to skimp on quality. You’ll want to use real garlic, good olive oil, and shredded parmesan cheese to get the most out of this meal!
Ingredients in Spaghetti Aglio E Olio
There are only 5 simple ingredients that go into this recipe, and you likely already have them in your kitchen. Another recipe to try after this is my spaghetti margherita !
- Don’t skip the pasta water! It’s starch helps the oil and water mix into a silky sauce; regular water won’t do the trick.
- Try a different pasta. I use spaghetti, but angel hair, fettuccine, or linguine work great too.
- Can’t handle the heat? Red pepper flakes are optional, skip them if you’re sensitive, or crank it up if you love spice.
- Use the good stuff. Fresh garlic and high-quality olive oil make all the difference in a recipe this simple.
How to Make Spaghetti Aglio E Olio
This recipe is a breeze to make! And it’s so delicious that your family will be very excited to see it at the dinner table! Pair it with my favorite Caesar salad and homemade garlic knots for an amazing Italian meal.
- Boil the Noodles: Cook the pasta in salted water according to the package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving ½ cup of the pasta cooking water. Set aside.
- Sauté: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes, cook, and stir for just a minute.
- Make the Sauce: Whisk the pasta water into the oil and garlic sauce on the stove until they are well mixed.
- Add Pasta: Add the cooked pasta to the sauce, stir, and cook for 3-5 minutes until the pasta has absorbed some of the liquid. Remove from heat, season with salt and pepper, and top with parmesan and parsley if desired.
How to Store Leftover Pasta Aglio e Olio
This is a great dish to make so you have quick and easy lunches throughout the week. Add some chicken, salmon, or shrimp to change it up. Here are my tips for storing and reheating leftover spaghetti aglio e olio!
- Fridge: Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Reheat: I save about a cup of pasta water to use when reheating. The starchy water helps thin the sauce without breaking it. Reheat in the microwave in 20-30 second bursts, stirring each time. Add a little pasta water, a teaspoon or two at a time, as needed.
- Freezer: Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
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Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 16 ounces spaghetti
- ▢ ½ cup olive oil
- ▢ 8 cloves garlic, minced, about 1 ½ tablespoons
- ▢ ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, or to taste
- ▢ Salt and pepper to taste
- ▢ Shredded parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in salted water according to the package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving ½ cup of the pasta cooking water. Set aside.
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes, cook, and stir for just a minute.
- Carefully whisk the pasta water into the oil and garlic sauce on the stove until they are well mixed.
- Add the cooked pasta to the sauce, stir, and cook for 3-5 minutes until the pasta has absorbed some of the liquid.
- Remove from heat, season with salt, and pepper, and top with parmesan cheese, and parsley if desired.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
More Delicious Pasta Recipes
I’m all about a simple pasta dinner ! Ever since I got back from Italy, I can’t stop craving their pasta. Here are a few other family favs that you’re sure to love!
Dinner
Monterey Spaghetti
1 hour
Dinner
Cowboy Spaghetti
30 minutes
Dinner
Boursin Pasta
35 minutes
Easy
Garlic Butter Pasta
25 minutes
Spaghetti Aglio E Olio
Ingredients
- 16 ounces spaghetti
- ½ cup olive oil
- 8 cloves garlic, minced, about 1 ½ tablespoons
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, or to taste
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Shredded parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in salted water according to the package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving ½ cup of the pasta cooking water. Set aside.
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes, cook, and stir for just a minute.
- Carefully whisk the pasta water into the oil and garlic sauce on the stove until they are well mixed.
- Add the cooked pasta to the sauce, stir, and cook for 3-5 minutes until the pasta has absorbed some of the liquid.
- Remove from heat, season with salt, and pepper, and top with parmesan cheese, and parsley if desired.
Video
Nutrition
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Spaghetti Aglio E Olio https://therecipecritic.com/spaghetti-aglio-e-olio/
