Name: Spaghetti Aglio e Olio
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 9 min
Total time: 14 min
Ingredients: 160 grams Spaghetti pasta; 5 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil (- Or Grapeseed oil); 1/4 cup Pasta water; 6 Garlic Cloves (- sliced); 1 Red Chili Flakes; 1 Red Chili (- thinly sliced); 3/4 tsp Salt; 1/4 cup Parsley (- roughly chopped); Grana Padano cheese (- grated)

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If you’ve never fallen in love with a plate of spaghetti before, today might just be the day. This spaghetti Aglio e Olio is incredible. It uses simple ingredients and can be made in less than 15 minutes. It is considered a classic dish in Italian cuisine.

With just five ingredients or fewer, you can make a delicious bowl of pasta right at home. Let me describe the flavor: in your first bite, you’ll experience a wonderful, familiar taste that brings to mind cheesy, garlicky noodles from instant noodles—one of my childhood favorites.

However, when you truly savor Spaghetti Aglio e Olio, you’ll discover a sophisticated dish with character and history. If ‘instant cheese noodles’ represent a young Italian man in his twenties, then Spaghetti Aglio e Olio is like his older brother—well-traveled and charming! While we shouldn’t compare men to food, this analogy highlights the distinction between the two. And I’m not quite sure why I thought of instant noodles!

What is Spaghetti Aglio e Olio?

The dish in question is spaghetti with garlic and oil, known as “spaghetti aglio e olio,” which originates from Naples, Italy. The recipe features thinly sliced garlic, olive oil, a small pinch of red pepper flakes, fresh parsley, and a generous amount of your favorite cheese—mine is currently Grana Padano.

So, what is umami? It’s that indescribable flavor that keeps you coming back for more because the dish is just that good. What makes this dish so rich and addictive? The secret lies in the pasta water! When combined with olive oil, caramelized garlic, and red pepper flakes, the pasta water helps create the dish’s irresistible umami flavor.

Ingredients

Spaghetti, Red pepper flakes, Pasta Water, Chopped Parsley and Sliced Garlic.

When choosing spaghetti, opt for a thin, long variety that is easy to twirl around your fork. To add a touch of heat, sprinkle in some red pepper flakes. If you prefer a milder option, consider using gochugaru, which has a fruity flavor, or Turkish pul biber, which is quite similar to gochugaru. Your choice depends on how much heat you can handle.

Remember to reserve some of the pasta water after cooking the spaghetti, as it will help make your dish silky and smooth. Slice the garlic as thinly as possible. Interestingly, in Italy, spaghetti aglio e olio is often seen as a secret code between lovers, showcasing their appreciation for good food.

Instructions

Rinse the garlic under running water and thinly slice it. Finely chop the red chili. Roughly chop the parsley. Grate a lot of cheese. Prepare a pot to cook the pasta. Add a pinch of salt and bring it to a boil.

Once the water is boiling, add the spaghetti. Measure the cooking time from the boiling time and cook the pasta according to the instructions on the packet. Keep aside ¼ cup of pasta water before draining the pasta. Add oil to the preheated pan on medium-low heat. Add the sliced garlic, thinly sliced red chili, and red pepper flakes, then sauté for 2 minutes.

Then, add the cooked spaghetti to the pan with the ingredients. Toss to coat the spaghetti with the spiced oil. Generously sprinkle the Grana Padano cheese, squeeze the fresh lemon, and garnish with roughly chopped parsley to serve.

The Spaghetti Aglio E Olio is ready to be served. This quick and easy dish is perfect for days when you only have 15 minutes to spare. The flavours of the fruity olive oil, chili flakes, caramelized garlic flakes, and freshly grated cheese create a delicious meal. Garnish with parsley for a herbaceous flavour. Enjoy.

Expert tips

Use fresh ingredients, particularly garlic. When cooked in oil, garlic releases a wonderful aroma that truly defines the dish Aglio e Olio. If you love garlic and this dish, feel free to add one or two extra cloves for a more intense flavor. Be mindful of the heat while cooking the garlic. Additionally, pasta water is crucial for creating a silky sauce. To achieve the best texture in every bite, cook the spaghetti until al dente.

What to Serve with Spaghetti Aglio e Olio?

You can pair this dish with a number of different side dishes and salads. Consider the following as great options: Kale Salad, Garlic bread, Grilled Asparagus, or Roasted Brussels sprouts.

How to Store Spaghetti Aglio e Olio?

Avoid storing it; make it fresh. If you have leftovers, reheat them with two tablespoons of water. This recipe is incredibly easy to make and takes a short time to prepare. You can prep your prawns and keep them in freezer bags. Store the sliced garlic in a separate packet in the same manner.

Spaghetti Aglio e Olio

Print Pin Rate

Course: Main

Cuisine: Italian

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 9

Total Time: 14

Servings: servings

Calories: 628kcal

Author: thetastejournal.com

Ingredients

Base ingredients

▢ 160 grams Spaghetti pasta
▢ 5 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil – Or Grapeseed oil
▢ 1/4 cup Pasta water
▢ 6 Garlic Cloves – sliced

Spices

▢ 1 Red Chili Flakes
▢ 1 Red Chili – thinly sliced
▢ 3/4 tsp Salt

Garnishes

▢ 1/4 cup Parsley – roughly chopped
▢ Grana Padano cheese – grated

Instructions

Cook the Pasta: Cook the Spaghetti in a pot of boiling water until al dente. Make sure to add a pinch of salt to the pot. This process takes approximate 8 to 9 minutes. Keep ¼ cup pasta aside.
Create the Sauce: Preheat the pan on medium low heat and add the oil. Saute the sliced garlic, thinly sliced red chili and red chili flakes for 2 minutes.
Add Spaghetti to the Sauce: Add the cooked spaghetti into the spiced oil. Also, add ¼ cup pasta water. Cook for 1 minute and continuously toss to coat the spaghetti with spices. Garnish with lemon juice, parsley and Grana Padano cheese to serve.