This classic pasta recipe is my comfort food. Not only is this an extremely quick and easy recipe, but immensely flavourful too. Spaghetti aglio e olio is, spaghetti pasta cooked in garlic (aglio) and olive oil (olio). You won’t need to make a separate pasta sauce for this one, but simply need some garlic, olive oil and red chilli flakes. That’s right, this is just a three ingredient meal, in which the spaghetti aglio e olio, draws its beautiful flavours from the humble garlic and chilli flakes. The roasted garlic and chilli, impart a heavenly aroma and taste to the pasta. When you make this, you will know how beautifully these simple ingredients work together to create magic.
This pasta recipe originates from Naples in Italy. And in the traditional method of cooking it, chilli flakes aren’t used. That is why you see, it isn’t even mentioned in the name. When chilli flakes are used to flavour the dish, the pasta is called spaghetti aglio, olio e peperoncino. And so, my recipe is actually the peperoncino one. But, if you don’t prefer it, feel free to exclude it. Also, traditionally, the pasta doesn’t have cheese in it. However, if you like, you could grate some parmesan cheese over your spaghetti aglio e olio. Personally, I like this pasta without cheese too.
Quick and easy
This is a pasta that you can cook in 15 minutes. As you already know now, there is no cutting and chopping or sauce making involved here. The only thing you need to do is boil the spaghetti and toss it in olive oil. This spaghetti aglio e olio, therefore, is the perfect weeknight dinner. And your lazy weekend meal too.
The simple aroma of the roasted garlic and chilli flakes wrapped in the warm pasta, makes it my comfort food. This is my go-to meals for those chilly and rainy evenings too. Of course, coupled with a glass of a lovely red wine.
Healthy pasta
Since I have used durum wheat spaghetti to make my pasta, I have been able to keep my meal healthy. In fact, if you are still having plain/refined flour pastas I would suggest, that you switch to the wheat ones. That way, you could include these simple one pot meals pretty much in your regular diet. Also, the garlic used here, is extremely good for health. You could check some of its health benefits here.
Here are some of my other very easy and quick Italian recipes, for you to take a look at:
Easy homemade pizza margherita
If you do try any of my recipes, I’d love to see your pictures, so do share them with me. You can get in touch with me on Instagram and Facebook.
For now, here goes the recipe for the simple and soulful spaghetti aglio e olio.
Eat hearty!
Spaghetti aglio e olio
Ingredients
- 160 g spaghetti
- 2 tbsp garlic chopped/minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp red chilli flakes
- 3-4 tbsp salt
Instructions
- Keep a pan of water to boil with 3-4 tablespoons of salt in it
- Once the water comes to a rolling boil, drop the spaghetti in it and cook for 8-10 minutes
- Drain, apply some olive oil and keep it aside. Reserve the water used to cook the spaghetti
- Heat a pan with the olive oil in it and add the garlic and chilli flakes. Fry until fragrant
- Lower the flame and add the spaghetti with two tablespoons of the reserved water
- Toss the pasta in the olive oil for a 3-4 minutes so that the spaghetti is well coated with the chilli and garlic flavoured oil
- Remove and serve hot. You may garnish it with some curly parsley or basil and grated parmesan cheese
Notes
- Since salted water is used to boil the pasta, you won't need to add more later. However, check for seasoning before serving
- Check the packet instructions for the time required to boil the pasta. Don not over cook as it may become mushy
- Using the starch infused reserved water for cooking the pasta, adds to more flavour
- tbsp - tablespoon
- tsp - teaspoon
- g - grams
wow easy cooking and tasty too
Yes indeed 🙂 Thank you!