Italian Pasta with Garlic Olive Oil Sauce Recipe
A simple and flavorful Italian pasta dish featuring spaghetti tossed in a fragrant garlic and olive oil sauce with a hint of red pepper flakes and fresh parsley. This quick recipe is perfect for a light dinner or a comforting meal any day of the week.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 17 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 400 g (14 oz) spaghetti
- 6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Boil Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook until al dente according to package instructions, usually about 8-10 minutes.
- Prepare Garlic Oil: While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced garlic and sauté, stirring frequently, until fragrant and golden brown, about 2-3 minutes. Be careful not to burn the garlic. Stir in the red pepper flakes to infuse the oil.
- Reserve Pasta Water and Drain: Before draining the pasta, reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water. Then drain the spaghetti thoroughly.
- Toss Pasta in Garlic Oil: Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet with the garlic oil. Toss well to coat the pasta evenly. Gradually add the reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce and create a silky texture.
- Season and Garnish: Season the pasta with salt and freshly ground black pepper to your taste. Stir in the chopped fresh parsley for brightness and an herbal note.
- Serve: Plate the pasta immediately, and if desired, top with grated Parmesan cheese for a salty, creamy finish.
Notes
- Be careful not to burn the garlic as it will turn bitter.
- Use fresh parsley for the best flavor, but you can substitute with dried parsley in a pinch.
- Adding reserved pasta water helps bind the sauce and pasta together better.
- For a vegan option, omit the Parmesan cheese or substitute with a vegan cheese alternative.
- Adjust red pepper flakes according to your spice preference.
Keywords: Italian pasta, garlic olive oil pasta, spaghetti aglio e olio, easy pasta recipe, quick Italian dinner
