Easy Pasta Aglio e Olio
Easy Pasta Aglio e Olio – Fried Garlic & Red Pepper is a simple yet flavorful Italian pasta dish made with garlic, olive oil, and red pepper flakes. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, this recipe delivers bold taste with minimal effort.
Equipment
- large pot for boiling pasta
- large skillet for cooking garlic and tossing pasta
- knife for slicing garlic and chopping parsley
- cutting board
- colander for draining pasta
- measuring cups
Ingredients
- 1 pound dried bucatini or spaghetti
- 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 12 large garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 0.5 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- to taste salt
- to taste freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Before draining, reserve about ½ cup of pasta water. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil. Once warm, add the thinly sliced garlic. Cook gently, stirring often, until the garlic turns light golden and fragrant.Watch carefully—garlic can burn quickly.
- Reduce the heat to low and stir in the crushed red pepper flakes. Let them bloom in the warm oil for about 30 seconds to release their flavor.
- Add the drained pasta directly into the skillet. Toss thoroughly to coat every strand in the garlic oil. If needed, add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce.
- Turn off the heat and stir in the chopped parsley and grated Parmesan. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve immediately.
Notes
Slice garlic thinly to avoid burning, use high-quality olive oil, and adjust red pepper flakes to taste. Reserve pasta water to help create a silky sauce. Parmesan can be substituted with vegetarian-friendly alternatives if desired.
Nutrition
Calories: 620kcalCarbohydrates: 72gProtein: 15gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 22gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 380mgPotassium: 400mgFiber: 4gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 1080IUVitamin C: 30mgCalcium: 120mgIron: 3mg
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