Spaghetti Aglio e Olio: Garlic & Oil Pasta

Spaghetti Aglio e Olio is such a classic Italian pasta recipe made with the simplest of ingredients; spaghetti, garlic, olive oil, and peperoncino. This store cupboard meal is not only low cost but it's ready in around 10 minutes!

Spaghetti Aglio e Olio is one of those recipes that's ready from start to finish by the time the pasta is cooked like these other much-loved classics Spaghetti all Carbonara Penne all' Arrabbiata or Cacio e Pepe!

There are some variations that include fresh parsley, parmesan or even breadcrumbs but the classic dish is simple and fresh.

All you need is Spaghetti, fresh garlic (aglio) a good extra virgin olive oil (olio) and a little peperoncino!

Cooking with Peperoncino

There's red chilli (peperoncino) but it's not overly spicy it's enough to give a little kick.

You can use fresh chilli or dried red pepper flakes to make this and you can adjust the heat to your preference.

If you choose to use fresh chilli then remove the seeds if you don't want it too spicy because that's where a lot of the heat is.

How to make Spaghetti Aglio e Olio – step by step

Add the pasta to a large pot of salted boiling water and cook until al dente (check packet instructions it's usually around 8 minutes).

Add a generous amount of olive oil to a large skillet or non-stick pan and add the chopped fresh garlic and chilli (photo 1).

Saute the garlic and chilli on a medium-low heat for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, don't let the garlic brown (photo 2).

Remove the pasta from the water and add to the skillet with the reserved pasta water and toss until well coated in the sauce, serve with an extra drizzle of olive oil (photos 3 & 4).

Top tips for making this recipe

• As with all Italian recipes quality ingredients are key to beautiful tasting food. Make sure you buy a trusted pasta brand and a good quality extra virgin olive oil.
• Make sure you saute the garlic and chilli on a medium-low heat and don't leave it unattended because it'll burn in a matter of minutes resulting in a bitter, unappetizing tasting sauce. If you burn your garlic start again, it'll be worth it!
• Always use fresh garlic for this recipe, garlic powder will not give you the same fresh flavour.
• This pasta dish is best served immediately and it's so quick and easy there's no need to prep in advance other than preparing the garlic and chilli ready for cooking.
• If you have leftovers then you can add an extra drizzle of olive oil to stop it sticking as it cools and eat it cold or room temperature as a pasta salad.

More easy Italian pasta recipes you might like

• Ricotta Pasta Sauce: 2 Ways
• Spaghetti alla Molisana (Pancetta, Herbs and Chilli)
• Pasta With Puttanesca Sauce (Spaghetti Alla Puttanesca)
• Pasta Amatriciana – Bucatini, Tomato And Guanciale
• Penne all' Arrabbiata – Spicy Italian Tomato Pasta

Ingredients

Makes 4 servings

• 14 oz Spaghetti ((400g))
• 4 cloves garlic
• 1 tbsp fresh red chilli (or ½-1 tsp red pepper flakes)
• 5 tbsp extra virgin olive oil plus extra for serving
• ⅓ cup reserved pasta water ((80ml))
• Salt (to season)

Method

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti according to packet instructions until al dente (around 8-10 minutes).

2. Finely slice the garlic cloves and finely chop the red chilli (you can also use red pepper flakes for this recipe).

3. Add the olive oil to a large skillet or pan on a low-medium heat. Add the garlic and chilli and saute in the oil until fragrant (around 1-2 minutes don't let the garlic brown).

4. Drain the spaghetti making sure to reserve 1/3 cup of pasta water then add the spaghetti to the garlic and chilli oil. Toss to combine then add the pasta water and pinch of salt and stir well until the pasta is well coated.

5. Turn off the heat then serve in bowls with an extra drizzle of olive oil.

Kitchen notes

• As with all Italian recipes quality ingredients are key to beautiful tasting food. Make sure you buy a trusted pasta brand and a good quality extra virgin olive oil.
• Make sure you saute the garlic and chilli on a medium-low heat and don't leave it unattended because it'll burn in a matter of minutes resulting in a bitter, unappetizing tasting sauce. If you burn your garlic start again, it'll be worth it!
• Always use fresh garlic for this recipe, garlic powder will not give you the same fresh flavour.
• This pasta dish is best served immediately and it's so quick and easy there's no need to prep in advance other than preparing the garlic and chilli ready for cooking.
• If you have leftovers then you can add an extra drizzle of olive oil to stop it sticking as it cools and eat it cold or room temperature as a pasta salad.