A classic Italian pasta dish that is simple yet flavorful. It showcases the beauty of fresh ingredients. With just a few basic components like olive oil and garlic, you can create an easy meal the whole family will love. ♡
This dish is vegetarian but can easily be vegan, made with meat, or dairy-free. Use a vegan-friendly cheese (if vegan or dairy-free), or omit it altogether.
What is aglio olio made of? Aglio e olio translates to "garlic and oil" in Italian. It's a simple sauce made from olive oil, lots of garlic, and the starchy liquid the noodles are cooked in. Freshly grated parmesan cheese is optional, and red pepper flakes are often added for a spicy kick.
Aglio e Olio Ingredients
- Spaghetti: Use whole grain or regular semolina.
- Olive oil: Use a good, cold-pressed olive oil.
- Garlic cloves: Large, thinly sliced garlic cloves will slowly crisp in olive oil.
- Red pepper flakes: For a spicy kick. Measure with your heart.
- Fresh Parsley: Fresh basil would also work beautifully as a garnish.
- Lemon: We'll add fresh lemon zest + the juice right at the end to give a bright finish.
- Toscano Cheese: This is a rennet-free cheese from Trader Joe's. It's divine and is a great parmesan cheese alternative if you want to keep this dish fully vegetarian, or you can use parmesan cheese.
Instructions to Make Aglio e Olio Pasta
Making aglio e olio pasta at home is easy, and you can find the full recipe below. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water.
While the pasta cooks, make the "garlic oil". Heat olive oil in a skillet over low heat. Add garlic, salt, lemon zest, and red pepper flakes. Cook until garlic is honey-hued.
Combine and finish. Add the drained pasta, cheese, lemon juice, and parsley to the garlic oil. Toss to coat. Gradually add the reserved pasta water, a tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
How to Serve Aglio e Olio Pasta
Serve your pasta with extra cheese and fresh parsley. To complete your dinner table, serve this dish with a hearty soup like my Turkish Bulgur Soup, Salmon Soup with Golden Potatoes, or my Rustic Roasted Vegetable Soup. Also, a crisp, fresh salad like my Spinach Salad with Apples, Roasted Butternut Squash Salad, or Marinated Cauliflower Salad.
Leftover Pasta?
To reheat leftovers, add a splash of pasta water to prevent drying out. Then, heat the pasta in a skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently until it's hot.
More Crave-Worthy Italian Favorite Recipes
- Rigatoni with Italian Sausage and Kale
- Chopped Italian Salad in Jars
- Bolognese Sauce Recipe
- Zuppa Toscana Recipe
- Maple Balsamic Grilled Broccoli with Pecorino
Let me know how your 25-Minute Garlic Pasta turns out in the comments!
PrintEasy 25-Minute Garlic Pasta Recipe (Aglio e Olio)
Learn how to make the classic Italian Spaghetti Aglio e Olio with this easy 25-minute recipe. It's a simple, flavorful, and delicious garlic pasta that's perfect for busy weeknights.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes (Simultaneous)
- Total Time: 17 minutes
- Yield: 4 Servings 1x
- Category: Main Course, Pasta Dishes
- Method: Boiling, Sautéing, Emulsifying/Tossing
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 (16-ounce) package spaghetti
- Sea salt, for pasta water and seasoning
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 6 large cloves of garlic, thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 cup Trader Joe's Toscano Cheese with Black Pepper (rennet-free) or Parmigiano Reggiano
- ¼ cup fresh chopped parsley
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a rolling boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package directions until it's al dente (still firm to the bite). Before draining, reserve 1 cup of the starchy pasta water.
- Prepare the Garlic Oil: While the pasta cooks, heat the extra virgin olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over low heat. Add the thinly sliced garlic, a pinch of sea salt, lemon zest, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using). Cook, stirring frequently, for 3-5 minutes, or until the garlic is softened and just turns a light golden or honey-hued color. Immediately remove the skillet from the heat to prevent burning.
- Combine & Create the Sauce: Add the drained spaghetti, cheese, lemon juice, and fresh parsley directly to the skillet with the garlic oil. Toss everything well to coat the pasta. Gradually add the reserved pasta water, a tablespoon at a time, continuously stirring until the noodles are thickly coated in a creamy, luscious sauce.
- Serve Immediately: Enjoy your flavorful garlic pasta right away!
Notes
Recipe adapted by The New Essentials Cookbook: A Modern Guide to Better Cooking
Neo says
Yummy! So easy to.