Description
Authentic Italian Spaghetti Aglio e Olio is a quick and simple pasta dish featuring perfectly cooked spaghetti tossed in a fragrant garlic and chili-infused olive oil sauce, finished with fresh parsley. Ready in just 10 minutes, this classic recipe delivers a silky, flavorful meal with minimal ingredients and effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 5.5oz / 160g dried spaghetti pasta
- Salt (to cook the pasta)
Sauce
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced (or more if you prefer extra garlicky)
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes or fresh red chili (adjust to your preferred spice level)
- Handful fresh parsley leaves, chopped
Instructions
- Boil the pasta: Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti about 80% of the recommended package time—approximately 2 minutes less than full cooking—to ensure it remains al dente. Reserve some pasta cooking water before draining.
- Prepare aromatics: While the pasta cooks, thinly slice the garlic cloves and chop the fresh parsley leaves.
- Infuse the oil: In a cold pan, combine the extra virgin olive oil, sliced garlic, and red pepper flakes or fresh chili. Place the pan on the stovetop over low heat.
- Sauté gently: As the garlic slowly starts to sizzle, add the chopped parsley to the pan. Sauté everything together slowly to infuse the oil and soften the garlic without burning it.
- Add pasta water: Pour a ladleful of the reserved pasta cooking water into the pan and stir to combine, creating a silky sauce base.
- Combine pasta and sauce: When the pasta is still very al dente (just before fully cooked), drain it and immediately add it to the pan along with another splash of reserved pasta water. Increase heat to medium.
- Toss and emulsify: Continuously toss and stir the pasta in the sauce for 2-3 minutes. This process emulsifies the sauce, making it creamy and silky. Add pasta water gradually if the sauce needs loosening.
- Serve and enjoy: Plate your Spaghetti Aglio e Olio and optionally sprinkle with pangrattato (toasted breadcrumbs) for added texture. Enjoy this classic, flavorful Italian dish fresh off the stovetop.
Notes
- Do not overcook the pasta; it should remain slightly firm (al dente) to absorb the sauce better.
- Adjust garlic and chili quantities according to your taste preference.
- Using fresh parsley adds freshness but can be substituted with dried parsley if needed.
- Pasta water is essential for emulsifying the sauce and achieving a creamy texture.
- Optional pangrattato topping provides a delightful crunch but is not traditional.
- Serve immediately for best texture and flavor.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: Spaghetti Aglio e Olio, Italian pasta, garlic pasta, quick pasta recipe, spaghetti recipe, easy Italian dinner
