It looks simple, it IS simple, but it tastes amazing. This Spaghetti aglio e olio - or chilli oil spaghetti as I usually call it - is al dente pasta tossed in warm garlicky olive oil with the addition of chilli flakes for some gentle warming heat.
So tasty, so easy, and ready in 17 minutes!
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Sometimes simple is best, and this recipe calls for only a few simple ingredients. It's just the thing when you're craving a bowl of warming carby goodness.
🙋🏻♀️ What is spaghetti aglio e olio?
Spaghetti aglio e olio means 'spaghetti with garlic and oil' and it's a simple, inexpensive pasta dish that originated in Naples. The garlic is sauteed in olive oil, then tossed with spaghetti, seasoning and parsley.
Sometimes chilli flakes are added (like my version) - which would technically make it 'Spaghetti aglio e olio peperoncino'. I also like to finish the dish with a little lemon zest and shaved Parmesan (or vegetarian Italian-style hard cheese for a vegetarian option).
📋 What do we need?
- Try to use the best extra virgin olive oil you can afford. It gives a richer, more earthy flavour than regular olive oil. Often, extra virgin olive oil is used for dressings or to pour over a finished dish, rather than cooking. It has a lower smoke point than other oils, so it doesn't suit high temperature cooking. However, we're cooking this dish over a low heat.
- Parmesan - I like to finish this dish with shaved parmesan. You can also use pecorino or grana padano. Or use vegetarian Italian-style hard cheese for a vegetarian alternative.
📺 Watch how to make it
Full recipe with detailed steps in the recipe card at the end of this post.
👩🍳PRO TIP Be sure to save some of the water you cooked the pasta in. We add a good splash of this to the pan with the pasta and garlic to provide a little sauciness. The starch from the pasta water emulsifies with the olive oil, so the pasta coating is smooth and tasty, rather than oily-tasting.
🍽️ What to serve it with
- Easy Garlic Bread
- Store-bought or Homemade Artisan Bread
- A simple Green Salad
A humble but wonderfully tasty dinner, on the table in 17 minutes.
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Spaghetti aglio e olio
Ingredients
Pasta
- 400 g (14 oz) dried spaghetti
- 5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon chilli flakes
- 3 garlic cloves - peeled and minced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
To Serve
- 4 tablespoons shaved vegetarian Italian-style hard cheese - (or Parmesan for non-vegetarian)
- lemon zest from one lemon
- Black pepper
INSTRUCTIONS
- Cook the spaghetti as per the pack instructions (ideally until al dente – about 8-10 minutes) in a large pan of boiling salted water. Once cooked, drain, reserving a half a cup of the pasta cooking water.400 g (14 oz) dried spaghetti
- When the pasta is almost cooked (about 5 minutes from the end of cooking), heat the olive oil in a large frying pan (skillet) over a low-medium heat.5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- Add the chilli flakes, garlic, salt and pepper. Fry for 3-4 minutes, stirring often.1 teaspoon chilli flakes, 3 garlic cloves, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Add the drained spaghetti and a good splash (about 4 tablespoons) of pasta cooking water. Stir together, adding more pasta water, if desired.3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
- Stir in the chopped parsley.
- Divide between bowls and top with shaved cheese, a little lemon zest and black pepper.4 tablespoons shaved vegetarian Italian-style hard cheese, Black pepper
Video
✎ Notes
No adjustment to the cooking time needed. Nutritional information is approximate, per serving (this recipes serves 4).
Nutrition
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CSM says
Enjoyed this simple dish. I added some small chopped fried courgettes and finely chopped red onions (both of which I had leftover and needed using). I garnished with some toasted oil bread crumbs as well Parmesan, parsley and lemon zest as per recipe. Otherwise all as instructed! 😋
James Goacher says
I cannot stress the usefulness of the video shown here. Someone such as I who has no intuition regarding Cooking is enlightened cos he/me have no midea how it is supposed to look.
Thankyou.