Summer’s Simplest Spaghetti Aglio e Olio Recipe
A classic Italian pasta dish, Spaghetti Aglio e Olio is a simple yet flavorful meal made with spaghetti, garlic, olive oil, and red pepper flakes, garnished with fresh parsley and Parmesan cheese. Perfect for a quick summer dinner, this recipe maximizes the bold flavors of garlic and olive oil while keeping the preparation straightforward and minimal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
Spaghetti
- 400g spaghetti
Sauce
- 6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Salt, to taste
Garnish
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
Instructions
- Cook the spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the 400g of spaghetti and cook until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes depending on the package instructions. Drain the spaghetti, reserving about 1 cup of the pasta cooking water.
- Prepare the garlic oil: While the pasta cooks, heat 1/2 cup of extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the 6 thinly sliced garlic cloves and sauté gently. Cook the garlic until it is golden and fragrant but not burnt, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add red pepper flakes: Stir in 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes to the garlic and olive oil mixture, letting them infuse the oil for about 30 seconds.
- Toss spaghetti with garlic oil: Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet with the garlic oil. Toss well to coat all the pasta. If the pasta seems dry, add reserved pasta water a little at a time until you reach the desired consistency.
- Season and garnish: Season the pasta with salt to taste. Mix in 1/4 cup of freshly chopped parsley for a burst of freshness. Serve immediately with a generous sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese on top.
Notes
- Use good quality extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor.
- Be careful not to burn the garlic as it will turn bitter.
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency if needed.
- Parmesan cheese can be omitted or substituted with a vegan alternative if desired.
Keywords: Spaghetti Aglio e Olio, garlic pasta, Italian pasta recipe, quick dinner, simple pasta, summer pasta