Description
This Spaghetti Aglio E Olio with Chili Flakes is a simple yet flavorful pasta dish that comes together in no time. With just a few high-quality ingredients, you’ll create a comforting meal that’s perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- Good quality dried spaghetti
- 6–8 cloves fresh garlic
- 1/4 to 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- Standard dried red chili flakes
- Fresh Italian flat-leaf parsley
- Coarse sea salt
- Fine sea salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Pasta water
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a rolling boil.
- Add your spaghetti and cook according to package directions until it's al dente.
- Before draining, reserve at least 1-2 cups of the starchy pasta water.
- Drain the spaghetti and set it aside.
- While the spaghetti is cooking, heat a generous amount of extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet or wide pan over very low heat.
- Add your thinly sliced or minced fresh garlic to the oil and let it gently sizzle until it turns a beautiful golden color.
- Once the garlic is fragrant and light golden, add your chili flakes and let them sizzle gently for about 30 seconds to a minute.
- Add about half a ladle of your reserved pasta water to the skillet with the garlic and chili oil.
- Increase the heat to medium-low.
- Carefully transfer the drained, al dente spaghetti directly into the skillet with the garlic, chili, and oil mixture.
- Using tongs, toss the pasta vigorously, adding more pasta water as needed to create a glossy, emulsified sauce.
- Taste the pasta and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Remove the pan from the heat and stir in your finely chopped fresh parsley.
- Serve immediately, perhaps with an extra drizzle of fresh olive oil and a sprinkle of chili flakes.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: Don't burn the garlic! Use high-quality extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor. Always reserve more pasta water than you think you'll need to create a glossy sauce. Toss the pasta vigorously to ensure a good emulsion.