Aglio e Olio Express Pasta (Printable)

Spaghetti in garlic olive oil with chili flakes, ready in 10 minutes for a flavorful meal.

# What you need:

→ Pasta

01 - 7 oz dried spaghetti

→ Infused Olive Oil

02 - 4 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
03 - 4 large garlic cloves, thinly sliced
04 - 1 tsp red chili flakes (adjust to taste)

→ Garnish

05 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
06 - Black pepper, freshly ground, to taste
07 - Sea salt, to taste
08 - 2 tbsp freshly grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

# How to make it:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add spaghetti and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add sliced garlic and sauté gently, stirring frequently until fragrant and just golden, approximately 1 to 2 minutes. Avoid burning the garlic.
03 - Stir in the red chili flakes and cook for 10 seconds to release flavors.
04 - Add drained spaghetti to the skillet with garlic and chili oil. Toss thoroughly to coat, adding reserved pasta water as needed to create a silky sauce.
05 - Season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Remove from heat, toss in chopped parsley, and plate immediately.
06 - Sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve promptly.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Ready in under 10 minutes, which means you can feed yourself without ordering takeout when hunger strikes unexpectedly.
  • The kitchen smells incredible while it cooks, filling your space with garlic and heat in the best possible way.
  • It's a gateway to understanding that simplicity and quality ingredients can outshine any complicated technique.
02 -
  • Garlic burns faster than you think, especially when you're distracted—low heat and constant attention are what separate golden-brown from bitter-black.
  • Pasta water is a game-changer; that starchy liquid transforms the oil from a coating into an actual sauce that clings and emulsifies.
  • Don't walk away once the pasta drains—the whole dish comes together in about two minutes, and timing is everything with this simple approach.
03 -
  • A squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the very end brightens everything and adds a complexity that elevates the whole dish without changing its essence.
  • If you love garlic, don't be shy—add an extra clove or two, sliced thin so it stays under control.
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