Description
Classic Italian spaghetti aglio e olio delivers pure culinary elegance with minimal ingredients. Garlic-infused olive oil coats perfectly al dente pasta, creating a simple yet luxurious Roman-style dish you’ll savor with authentic Mediterranean comfort.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients (Protein and Carbohydrates):
- 1 pound (454 grams) dried spaghetti, such as De Cecco
- 1 cup (100 grams) freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
Seasonings and Aromatics:
- 8 large garlic cloves, cut into thin slivers
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- ½ cup (20 grams) minced fresh parsley
Liquid and Fat:
- ⅓ cup (80 milliliters) good olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare a generously sized pot of water, incorporating of salt. Submerge spaghetti and cook according to package guidance until achieving an al dente texture. Extract and preserve 360 milliliters (1½ cups) of pasta water before draining.
- Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium temperature. Introduce thinly sliced garlic, gently sautéing while continuously stirring until edges transform into a delicate golden hue. Sprinkle red pepper flakes and allow them to bloom for approximately 30 seconds.
- Cautiously pour reserved pasta water into the aromatic garlic and oil mixture. Elevate heat to trigger boiling, then reduce to a gentle simmer. Allow liquid to condense by roughly one-third over 5 minutes, integrating of salt to enhance flavor complexity.
- Transfer cooked spaghetti directly into the fragrant garlic sauce. Meticulously toss pasta, ensuring comprehensive and even coating. Temporarily remove pan from heat source.
- Incorporate freshly chopped parsley and finely grated Parmesan cheese, gently folding to distribute ingredients uniformly. Allow pasta to rest for 5 minutes, enabling sauce absorption and flavor melding.
- Conduct a final taste assessment, adjusting seasoning as necessary. Plate the spaghetti while maintaining warmth, accompanying with additional Parmesan cheese for individualized garnishing.
Notes
- Drizzle top-tier extra virgin olive oil for a luxurious, rich base that elevates every bite.
- Slice garlic with precision, creating uniform pieces that melt into the sauce without harsh burnt edges.
- Catch the pasta water’s magic before draining, saving that starchy liquid gold for sauce perfection.
- Rest your spaghetti briefly after mixing, letting each strand soak up the intense, garlic-infused flavors.
- Watch garlic closely during cooking, aiming for a gentle golden transformation that whispers delicate aromatics.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 389
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 229mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Carbohydrates: 44g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 11mg