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Spaghetti with Garlic and Oil

Aglio e Olio is a classic Italian dish that's simple yet delicious, featuring spaghetti, garlic, and olive oil. Perfect for quick meals any night of the week.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 600
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 pound dried spaghetti
  • 1/2 cup good-quality olive oil High-quality oil is recommended for better flavor.
  • 6-8 cloves garlic, very thinly sliced
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes Adjust for spice preference.
  • Salt to taste Salt is essential for boiling pasta.
  • Chopped fresh parsley (optional) For garnish.
  • Freshly-grated Parmesan cheese (optional) Served on the side.

Method
 

Preparation and Cooking
  1. Bring a large stockpot of generously salted water to a boil.
  2. Add spaghetti to the boiling water and cook until nearly al dente, about 9 minutes.
  3. While the spaghetti cooks, heat olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat, about 3 minutes after adding pasta.
  4. Add sliced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes to the oil. Sauté until the garlic turns light golden, about 3-5 minutes.
  5. Use tongs to transfer the spaghetti directly from the pot to the sauté pan, reserving some pasta water.
  6. Pour in approximately 1/2 cup of hot starchy pasta water and toss to combine.
  7. If the sauce is too dry, add up to 1/4 cup more pasta water as needed.
  8. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and red pepper flakes as desired.
  9. Serve immediately, garnished with parsley and grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

Notes

For best results, serve immediately after cooking. If refrigerating leftovers, add olive oil or starchy water when reheating to restore texture.