Sometimes the best meals are the simplest ones. When you need to get dinner on the table without spending a lot of money or making a trip to the grocery store, Spaghetti Aglio e Olio is a recipe worth having in your back pocket.
This classic-style pasta dish is made with just a handful of simple ingredients, including spaghetti, garlic, olive oil, red pepper flakes, parsley, and Parmesan cheese. It comes together quickly and makes a delicious meal without requiring a long list of ingredients.
A Great Pantry Meal
One of the things I love most about this recipe is that it is made with ingredients you may already have sitting in your pantry and refrigerator. Pasta is an inexpensive staple, and garlic, olive oil, seasonings, and Parmesan are all you need to turn it into something that feels much more special than a basic bowl of noodles.
It’s also a great recipe for those nights when you’re tired and don’t really feel like figuring out what to make for dinner. While the spaghetti cooks, you simply sauté the garlic in olive oil, add the red pepper flakes and black pepper, and then combine everything with the cooked pasta. A little of the starchy pasta water helps bring everything together into a light, flavorful sauce.
Don’t Be Afraid to Use What You Have
This is also one of those recipes where you don’t have to worry about having every ingredient exactly as written. Don’t have fresh parsley? Dried parsley works. Don’t have freshly grated Parmesan? The Parmesan you have on hand will work just fine. You can even use a combination of butter and olive oil for a richer flavor.
And if you happen to have leftover spaghetti from another meal, even better! Leftover pasta can be reheated right in the garlic and oil mixture, making this an excellent way to avoid wasting food.
Simple, Cheap, and Delicious
Spaghetti Aglio e Olio is proof that you don’t need expensive ingredients to make a satisfying meal. It’s quick enough for a busy weeknight, inexpensive enough for a tight grocery budget, and delicious enough that you may find yourself making it even when you have plenty of other options.
Sometimes a simple bowl of pasta really is all you need!
Spaghetti Aglio E Olio (Spaghetti with Garlic and Olive Oil)
Spaghetti tossed in sauteed garlic, olive oil, red pepper flakes, and fresh parsley. A quick and easy authentic pasta dish!
Ingredients
- 1 lb spaghetti (your choice of spaghetti pasta)
- 5 tbsp olive oil (may use 2 tablespoons of butter and 3 tablespoons of olive oil)
- 6 garlic cloves (peeled and chopped)
- 1/2 – 1 tsp red pepper flakes, crushed
- 1/2 – 1 tsp black pepper, freshly-ground
- 2 tbsp Italian parsley, fresh (if using dried, add 1 teaspoon)
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
Instructions
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Bring 6 quarts of water to a boil over high heat. Add a generous amount of salt to the pot. Stir the spaghetti into the boiling water. Cook the pasta according to package instructions.
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While pasta is cooking, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and cook for 1 1/2 – 2 minutes, watching carefully so the garlic doesn't burn. Once the garlic is softened, remove from heat and add red pepper flakes and ground black pepper.
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Add 1 1/2 cups of pasta water. This water is salty and starchy and adds flavor to the sauce.
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Once the pasta is cooked, drain, and then toss with the garlic and olive oil mixture. Toss with parsley and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Salt according to taste. If you like spicy foods, add a touch more red pepper flakes.
Recipe Notes
If using leftover pasta, you might need to cut this recipe in half as you don’t typically have a whole box of pasta leftover. Then you will complete the second step of sauteing garlic in oil and add red pepper flakes and ground black pepper. You will then add your cold pasta to the pan and toss in the hot garlic oil mixture to heat through. Add some water to the pan if needed. Once heated through, remove from heat and add your Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.
