Description
Spaghetti Aglio e Olio whispers classic Italian simplicity with garlic-infused olive oil dancing through perfectly al dente pasta. Minimalist ingredients create maximum flavor, inviting you to savor Mediterranean comfort in each twirling forkful.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound (454 grams) uncooked spaghetti
- 1 cup (237 milliliters) finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- 6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 milliliters) red pepper flakes, or to taste
- Salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Herbs and Oil:
- 1/2 cup (118 milliliters) olive oil
- 1/4 cup (59 milliliters) chopped fresh Italian parsley
Instructions
- Prepare a large pot with water and salt, bringing it to a vigorous boil over high heat for the spaghetti.
- Submerge the spaghetti in boiling water, stirring occasionally to prevent clumping. Cook for 10-12 minutes until achieving al dente texture, then drain thoroughly into a spacious pasta bowl.
- Select a cold skillet and combine olive oil with garlic slices. Heat gradually on medium, allowing garlic to infuse oil for approximately 10 minutes. Reduce temperature to medium-low, continuously stirring until garlic turns golden brown, roughly 5 additional minutes.
- Distribute red pepper flakes across the pasta, seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Gently toss to ensure even coverage.
- Cascade the aromatic garlic-infused olive oil over the seasoned spaghetti. Sprinkle chopped Italian parsley and half the Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. Use tongs to thoroughly coat and intermingle all ingredients.
- Transfer pasta to serving plates, creating elegant twirls. Garnish with remaining Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. Serve immediately while pasta remains warm and cheese slightly melts, showcasing the vibrant Italian flavors.
Notes
- Slow-toast garlic carefully to prevent burning, which can make the dish bitter and unpalatable.
- Use high-quality extra virgin olive oil for authentic flavor and smoother texture in the sauce.
- Adjust red pepper flakes based on personal heat tolerance, starting with a small amount and incrementing gradually.
- Reserve a small cup of pasta water before draining, which helps create a silkier sauce if the pasta seems dry when mixing.
- Select traditional long spaghetti for authentic presentation, avoiding shorter pasta varieties that won’t capture the garlic oil as effectively.
- Fresh garlic provides superior taste compared to pre-minced versions, ensuring maximum aromatic intensity.
- Choose authentic Parmigiano-Reggiano over generic parmesan for more complex, nutty cheese undertones.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 556
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 214 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 71 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 21 mg