Spaghetti with Garlic and Olive Oil Recipe
A classic Italian pasta dish featuring al dente spaghetti tossed in a fragrant garlic and chili-infused olive oil sauce, garnished with fresh parsley and optional parmesan cheese for a simple yet flavorful meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Spaghetti
- 1 lb (450 grams) spaghetti or other long pasta
Sauce
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) extra virgin olive oil
- 4–5 garlic cloves, finely sliced
- 1 tsp dried chili flakes, or to taste (or 3 fresh chillies, seeded and finely chopped)
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, coarsely chopped
- Salt, to taste
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese, plus more to serve (optional, if not vegan)
Instructions
- Cook the Spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook until al dente, meaning the pasta is tender but still has a slight bite to it. Drain the pasta, reserving 1/2 cup of the cooking water for later use.
- Prepare the Sauce Ingredients: While the pasta cooks, prepare the sauce. If using fresh chilies instead of dried flakes, remove their seeds and finely chop them. Peel and thinly slice the garlic cloves to ensure even cooking and maximum flavor.
- Infuse the Olive Oil: In a frying pan, gently heat the extra virgin olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the sliced garlic and chili flakes or fresh chilies to the pan. Cook gently for several minutes until the garlic turns a pale golden color, taking care not to let it burn, allowing the flavors to fully infuse the oil. Stir in the chopped parsley towards the end.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained spaghetti to the frying pan with the infused oil and toss thoroughly to coat every strand. Gradually add some of the reserved starchy pasta water as needed to create a moist, glossy, and juicy sauce that clings to the pasta.
- Finish Cooking: Cook the pasta and sauce together on medium heat for about 30 seconds, stirring a couple of times to meld the flavors and ensure even coating.
- Serve: Transfer the spaghetti to serving plates and garnish with extra chopped parsley. Sprinkle grated parmesan cheese on top if desired and serve immediately for a delicious, simple pasta meal.
Notes
- Use good quality extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor.
- Adjust chili flakes or fresh chilies according to your spice preference.
- Reserving some pasta cooking water helps create a silky sauce that clings to the noodles.
- Parmesan cheese is optional and can be omitted for a vegan version.
- Do not burn garlic, as it can turn bitter and overpower the dish.
- This dish pairs well with a simple green salad and crusty bread.
Keywords: spaghetti, garlic, olive oil, chili flakes, Italian pasta, easy pasta recipe, vegetarian pasta, simple dinner
