Spaghetti Aglio e Olio
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Prep Time10 Mins
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Cook Time20 Mins
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Total Time30 Mins
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DifficultyModerate
Spaghetti Aglio e Olio is a classic Italian dish that emphasizes simplicity and flavor. It requires just a few ingredients, making it perfect for a quick dinner or a late-night snack.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Use about 1 tablespoon of salt for every 4-5 liters of water.
- Add the spaghetti and stir to prevent sticking. Cook according to the package instructions until al dente (usually 8-10 minutes).
- Before draining, reserve about 1 cup of the pasta cooking water. This will help adjust the sauce consistency later.
- Drain the pasta in a colander.
- In a large skillet, heat the extra virgin olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the sliced garlic and sauté gently. Stir frequently to prevent burning. Cook until the garlic turns a light golden brown (about 2 minutes).
- Stir in the red pepper flakes and sauté for an additional minute to release their flavor.
- Add the drained spaghetti directly to the skillet with the garlic oil.
- Toss the pasta to coat evenly in the garlic-infused oil. If the mixture seems dry, gradually add some reserved pasta water until you reach your desired consistency.
- Taste and adjust salt as needed.
- Plate the spaghetti and garnish with freshly chopped parsley and grated Parmesan cheese, if using.
- Serve immediately while hot.
