Spaghetti Aglio e Olio // Video
It’s possible to have dinner on the table in under 10 minutes with this quick and easy Spaghetti Aglio e Olio. This Olive Oil and Garlic Pasta is tossed with olive oil, crushed red pepper flakes and toasted garlic, finished with parsley and parmesan cheese. My favorite way to serve comfort in a bowl.
I have so many recipes to share with you….I sometimes don’t think I’m ever going to get through the list. Sometimes, I like to just get down to the basics…the things I would make for myself when I wanted something easy, comforting and familiar.
I told you before how I’m not much of a fan of red sauce….I would rather dive into a bowl of pasta with butter and cheese than twirl saucy, red angel hair pasta around my fork. It’s just my own way to lift myself up when I’m feeling blue….or especially hungry.
This Spaghetti Aglio e Olio is my favorite comfort food ever. It’s so simple and quick, anyone with even the smallest amount of cooking ability can pull this off easily.
Spaghetti Aglio e Olio
Spaghetti Aglio e Olio is a traditional Italian pasta recipe originating from Naples. It’s made by sauteeing garlic in olive oil with red pepper flakes then tossing the pasta in it to coat.
The name Aglio e Olio means Spaghetti with garlic and oil. It’s pronounced “ah-li-oh eh oh-li-oh” as all one word kind of letting it roll off your tongue like a real Italian. Which I am not.
This Pasta Aglio e Olio recipe couldn’t be simpler to make. And it’s surprisingly flavorful. My husband had his doubts because he’s a big fan of red sauce like this Bolognese. But he has, since, been converted and now…I have to share.
Which is fine because it’s so easy to make….and double or triple or quadruple the recipe.
How To Make It
Making this pasta dish is super simple. You can make the sauce while your pasta is cooking.
Drizzle a good amount of olive oil in a pan, sprinkle with a generous amount of crushed red pepper and toast your garlic until lightly golden. At this point…I like to add a little nob of butter, just because I can. It’s not the Italian way….but it’s my way, and I like butter…so into the pan it goes. The butter also gives the sauce a richer, creamier consistency that olive oil just can’t duplicate.
The whole thing takes about 4-5 minutes. Toss with your pasta, you can use spaghetti, linguine, angel hair or fettuccine….add a little pasta water if you like things saucy, the starch from the pasta in the water will thicken things up a bit….serve with a generous sprinkle of chopped parsley and cheese.
How To Serve It
In my opinion, Spaghetti Aglio e Olio is worthy of the finest dinner guests. They don’t need to know it only took you minutes to make. Serve with an EASY SALAD, some homemade popovers and a simple chocolate pudding…and your guests may never leave.
Want low carb? Toss spaghetti squash with this sauce for a healthy, fiber packed meal!
And if you still have trouble convincing your red sauce lover into trying this crazy, amazing pasta dish….you can whip up this sauce just as quickly. But I really don’t think you’re going to have to go that far….I promise you that. I’ll be sharing a few quick dinner ideas in the coming weeks on YouTube…don’t forget to subscribe!
This is really my favorite spaghetti recipe ever but if you want a few MORE EASY PASTA RECIPES, these are our favorites:
- The BEST and FASTEST Fettuccine Alfredo!
- EASY Pesto Cavatappi….ready in minutes.
- One pot magic with the BEST Baked Ziti.
Want even more easy family friendly (and QUICK) recipes? Be sure to follow us over on Instagram and Facebook!
Get the Recipe: Spaghetti Aglio e Olio
Ingredients
- 1 pound box dried spaghetti
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 6 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon salted butter
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
- 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add 3 tablespoon kosher salt. Stir in the pasta and cook according to the package directions.
- While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the crushed red pepper flakes and garlic to the pan. Cook until the garlic begins to turn golden (do not overcook, the garlic will become bitter and nasty….if this happens, start over.) Turn off the heat and stir in the butter.
- Drain the pasta and reserve 1 cup of the cooking water. Add the pasta to the skillet and toss to coat. Turn the heat to medium-high and stir in the cooking water. Bring the mixture to a boil. Turn the heat to low and add the salt. Cook until the mixture is reduced by 1/2. Turn off the heat. Toss the pasta with the parsley and cheese. Serve immediately.
Video
32 Comments on “Spaghetti Aglio e Olio // Video”
Not too shabby, I enjoyed it.
Thank you so much!
A perfect quick & easy weeknight dinner dish!
Thank you! It is on the weekly menu because it’s so speedy!
So fast to get on the table!
I love this spaghetti! So simple and flavorful.
It’s one of my favorites!
This was a huge hit at my house!! My family loved it!
Always a hit with the whole family here, too!
I made this today. It turned out MARVELLOUS!! Made some chicken on the side – chicken breasts with salt, coarse black pepper, cummin n coriander. Went brilliantly with your pasta recipe! THANK YOUUUU!!!!
That chicken sounds amazing! This is my favorite pasta dish and great for an entree too! Thanks for your comment. K
OMGOODNESS !
I think I love you!
So YUM.
Awww, thanks!
This is a staple in my Italian householld & loved by all. The best part is you can add anything to it like shrimp, chicken, spinach or broccoli. Anything you’d like. It makes the house smell so good as if you were cooking for hours. I actually mash up about 5 or 6 cloves of garlic & a bunch or two of fresh parsley every weekend and put it in a container covered in olive oil. The olive oil gets infused with the flavor sand during the week I can either make this dish or take a tablespoon of it & add it to anything I’m making. You can’t go wrong.
I’ve always loved this simple classic. I do love me some bolognese too but this one is way easier and sometimes that’s best when you’re craving comfort food!
Spaghetti Aglio e Olio is one of my favourite pastas of all time. I want to slurp this for lunch today. It’s perfection.
This looks so light yet flavorful! Totally going to try it this week 😀
This is one of my daughters favorite meal, minus the red pepper flakes.
I love aglio e olio….it’s simple but hearty delicious for my family. I love your recipe and all photos work you did here.
It is so easy plus it’s delicious. I just had a dish similar to this at The Cheesecake Factory. Love it!
This is just how I like my pasta. Simple, with a little olive oil, herbs, and cheese. Love those red pepper flakes in there for some heat!
What can be better than dinner on the table in 10 minutes? I love this pasta and you can’t beat how easy it is to make.
I add shallots & mushrooms!
That’s a great idea!