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Spaghetti aglio e olio Recipe

Spaghetti aglio e olio Recipe

5 from 15 reviews

Spaghetti aglio e olio is a classic Italian pasta dish that features simple yet flavorful ingredients like garlic, olive oil, fresh parsley, and perfectly cooked spaghetti. This quick and easy recipe is perfect for a satisfying meal that can be prepared in under 30 minutes, highlighting the beauty of minimalist Italian cooking.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 14 oz Spaghetti

Sauce

  • 3 cloves Garlic (peeled and sliced)
  • ½ cup Extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 handful Fresh parsley (chopped)
  • Salt (to taste and for pasta water)

Instructions

  1. Boil the pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add salt generously to the boiling water for flavor. Add the spaghetti and cook until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes, depending on package instructions. Before draining, reserve half a cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta using a colander.
  2. Sauté the garlic: While the pasta cooks, heat the extra virgin olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the sliced garlic and cook gently, allowing it to soften and infuse the oil with flavor for about 2-3 minutes. Make sure the garlic does not brown to avoid bitterness.
  3. Combine pasta and sauce: Turn off the heat once the garlic is softened. Add the drained spaghetti and chopped parsley to the sauté pan with the garlic oil. Toss everything together to coat the pasta well. If the mixture seems dry, gradually add some of the reserved pasta water to help create a silky sauce that clings to the spaghetti.
  4. Season and serve: Taste the pasta and season with salt as needed. Serve the Spaghetti aglio e olio immediately while warm, allowing the simple but robust flavors to shine through.

Notes

  • Reserve pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency without adding extra oil.
  • Use fresh garlic for the best aroma and flavor.
  • Do not overcook the garlic; it should be soft and fragrant but not browned.
  • Fresh parsley adds brightness and color but can be omitted if unavailable.
  • Serve immediately to enjoy the pasta at its best texture and flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: Spaghetti aglio e olio, garlic pasta, Italian pasta recipe, easy pasta dish, olive oil pasta