Rating: 3.71
(84)

Spaghetti Aglio e Olio Recipe

August 5, 2024

Spaghetti Aglio e Olio is a dish that proves simple ingredients can create the most delicious meals. Originating from Naples, Italy, this classic pasta dish is made with just a handful of ingredients: garlic, olive oil, red pepper flakes, and, of course, spaghetti. It’s the epitome of Italian comfort food – quick, satisfying, and full of bold flavor despite its simplicity.

What makes Spaghetti Aglio e Olio so special is how it transforms basic pantry staples into a rich and flavorful meal. The key to this dish lies in the technique of sautéing garlic in olive oil until it’s golden and fragrant. As the garlic infuses the oil, it creates a fragrant base that is then brought to life with a pinch of red pepper flakes for a touch of heat. The pasta soaks up this oil, resulting in a dish that is light yet deeply satisfying.

This dish is perfect for those moments when you don’t have much time but still want a delicious, homemade meal. It’s a true testament to the power of minimalism in cooking, you don’t need a long list of ingredients to make something that tastes incredible. It’s also a versatile dish; you can easily add your own twists by incorporating ingredients like anchovies, parsley, or grated Parmesan for extra flavor.

While Spaghetti Aglio e Olio is traditionally made with spaghetti, it can be paired with any pasta shape you prefer. The beauty of this dish is that it’s incredibly adaptable, so you can make it your own depending on what’s in your kitchen. Plus, it’s an affordable option for when you need a quick dinner that won’t break the bank.

Whether you’re cooking for yourself or serving guests, Spaghetti Aglio e Olio is sure to impress. It’s a dish that’s simple to prepare but delivers on taste, making it a staple in Italian homes and kitchens worldwide. It’s the perfect reminder that sometimes the best meals come from the simplest ingredients.

Spaghetti Aglio e Olio Recipe
Spaghetti Aglio e Olio
3.71 from 84 votes
Spaghetti Aglio e Olio is a traditional Italian pasta dish made with just a few simple ingredients: garlic, olive oil, chili flakes, and parsley. It’s quick to prepare and packed with flavor.
Servings 1 people
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 100 g spaghetti
  • 2 cloves garlic thinly sliced
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/4 teaspoon red chili flakes
  • 2 tablespoons parsley chopped, fresh
  • to taste salt
  • to taste black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Cook the spaghetti in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the rest.
  • While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced garlic and red chili flakes, and sauté until the garlic is golden brown, about 2 minutes. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
  • Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet and toss to coat in the garlic and oil mixture. If the pasta seems dry, add a bit of the reserved pasta water. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
  • Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the chopped parsley.
  • Serve immediately, garnished with extra parsley if desired.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 400kcalCarbohydrates: 60gProtein: 8gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 11gSodium: 200mgPotassium: 200mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 300IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 2mg
Calories: 400kcal
Meal Type: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: italian cuisine, pasta, Quick Recipes
Cooking Method: Boiled
Time: 30-45 Min
Level: Easy
Tried this recipe?Mention @coolinarco or tag #coolinarco!
Join the Conversation
  1. User avatar Tracie Heathcote III says:

    4 stars
    Honestly, I was skeptical at first but this is a staple now. 👌

  2. 2 stars
    I tried it and burnt the garlic! 😩 I guess that’s what happens when you get distracted. Maybe a timer would help.

    1. User avatar oscar.daniel47 says:

      5 stars
      I totally know how that feels! Garlic can go from perfect to burnt in a heartbeat. A timer is a great idea! 🍝

  3. 2 stars
    Just made it! It was bland. Needed more salt for sure.

  4. User avatar marion.greenfelder48 says:

    3 stars
    I thought it was too oily. Maybe less oil next time?

    1. User avatar gail.zemlak59 says:

      4 stars
      I usually love oil in my pasta! But yeah, maybe try it with just a bit less oil next time. It’s all about what you like, right?

    2. User avatar Restless Draugr says:

      2 stars
      Too oily? Seriously? I thought the whole point of Aglio e Olio is the oil! You might just not be a fan of it. 🤷‍♀️

  5. 1 star
    What’s the point of cooking spaghetti? It’s just noodles. Boring.

  6. User avatar marty.bayer92 says:

    5 stars
    OMG, made this for my husband and he loved it!!! 😊

  7. User avatar chong.baumbach93 says:

    5 stars
    This was sooo good! I love how simple it is. I added a bit of lemon juice for extra flavor!

  8. User avatar florida.zieme89 says:

    5 stars
    I’m not a chef, but even I could make this! Thanks for the easy instructions.

  9. 5 stars
    This is awesome! I added some shrimp and it was amazing. Thanks for sharing!

    1. User avatar jerome.lemke2012 says:

      5 stars
      I’m glad you liked it! Shrimp sounds like a great addition. Did you use fresh or frozen shrimp?

    2. User avatar marlon.lueilwitz16 says:

      2 stars
      I dunno, adding shrimp to spaghetti aglio e olio seems like too much. It’s just supposed to be garlic and oil, right?

  10. User avatar lamont.windler2013 says:

    3 stars
    Had to add chicken to make it better. Not filling enough on its own.

  11. User avatar bell.medhurst15 says:

    4 stars
    Spaghetti good! Make again! 🍝

  12. User avatar tracey.stamm says:

    5 stars
    Took me back to Italy! The best comfort food! 🍝❤️

  13. User avatar rickiestmorty says:

    5 stars
    This recipe is a classic! I’ve made it countless times, always gets rave reviews.

    1. User avatar kaitlyn.oconner2013 says:

      5 stars
      This dish is so simple yet soooo good! I can’t believe how few ingredients it takes to taste so amazing! 🍝

  14. User avatar berta.rosenbaum says:

    2 stars
    Why do people put so much oil? It’s gotta be unhealthy…

  15. User avatar walter.king48 says:

    5 stars
    This was so simple and delicious! I will definitely make it again.

    1. 5 stars
      I totally agree! It’s such a quick dish and tastes amazing. I’ve made it three times this week!

  16. User avatar abel.smitham says:

    4 stars
    Really good, but next time I will use more garlic! I love garlic.

    1. User avatar keren.dietrich says:

      5 stars
      More garlic sounds awesome! Garlic makes everything better!

  17. User avatar felix.hegmann95 says:

    5 stars
    This was super easy to make, and it tasted amazing! I added some grated parmesan on top, and wow! Can’t wait to make it again.

  18. User avatar benny.roob1988 says:

    4 stars
    Delicious! But I think I would add more garlic next time. 😍

  19. User avatar wilfred.runte76 says:

    2 stars
    I don’t get why this is a big deal. It’s just pasta and garlic! 😒

  20. 3 stars
    It was okay. Maybe try more garlic? Idk, I just wanted more flavor!

    1. User avatar Spriggan Matron says:

      5 stars
      I think garlic is key in this dish! More would definitely elevate the flavor. Good suggestion!

  21. User avatar gregorio.osinski1995 says:

    3 stars
    This recipe is so basic! Like, who needs a recipe to boil pasta?!

  22. User avatar rufina.legros1951 says:

    3 stars
    Too much garlic for my taste. I didn’t follow the recipe exactly, and now my mouth is burning lol!

  23. 5 stars
    This was so simple and yet so delicious! My family loved it!

    1. User avatar Ford Prefect says:

      3 stars
      Honestly, I thought it was a bit bland. Maybe add some cheese or veggies next time? Just a thought!

    2. 5 stars
      I’m glad you and your family enjoyed it! Aglio e Olio is a classic for a reason. It’s so easy but packed with flavor!

  24. User avatar doug.parker2005 says:

    5 stars
    This recipe is sooo simple and delicious! It took me only 15 min to make! Love it!

  25. 3 stars
    Nice recipe! But why would anyone add black pepper? It’s just spaghetti!

    1. User avatar Falmer Warmonger says:

      2 stars
      I think it’s unnecessary. Spaghetti is simple, why complicate it with black pepper? Seems odd.

    2. User avatar terminatorXYZ says:

      5 stars
      Black pepper adds a nice kick! It’s not just spaghetti, it’s about flavor. Give it a try!

  26. User avatar Emerita White Sr. says:

    5 stars
    Absolutely loved it! So simple yet so delicious. Will make this again 🔥

    1. User avatar gerald.oreilly says:

      5 stars
      Totally agree! It’s such a quick and tasty dish. Can’t believe I never tried it before. Thanks for sharing! 😊

    2. User avatar germaine.boehm14 says:

      3 stars
      Hmm I don’t know. Sounds easy, but my pasta always turns mushy. How do you get it right? 🤔

  27. User avatar Draugr Death Overlord says:

    1 star
    I accidentally burnt the garlic, now my kitchen stinks… 😟

  28. User avatar terminatorXYZ says:

    3 stars
    It was okay, but I expected more. Maybe I undercooked the pasta? Not really worth the effort.

  29. User avatar jolene.hyatt23 says:

    1 star
    My pasta turned mushy, what did I do wrong? Help! 😩

  30. User avatar jerold.schamberger4 says:

    4 stars
    Yum! I added chicken and it was even better! 🐔

    1. 5 stars
      Never thought of adding chicken! Sounds great! 😋

  31. User avatar shaunte.rempel54 says:

    5 stars
    Delicious! Just like when I had in Italy. Almost as good! 😍

  32. User avatar tissues_with_issues says:

    5 stars
    Spaghetti AND garlic?!!!! Mind blown! 🔥🔥🔥

  33. 5 stars
    I made this dish for my date, and it was a hit! Thx for sharing!

  34. User avatar ethel.davis says:

    4 stars
    I didn’t have any parsley, so I used cilantro instead. Was pretty good! 🤷‍♂️

  35. User avatar terminatorXYZ says:

    3 stars
    I don’t think you should use that much garlic, it’s overpowering. 2 cloves is too much!

  36. User avatar Tricia McMillan says:

    2 stars
    I don’t understand why everybody loves this recipe 🤷‍♂️. Too much oil!

  37. User avatar Cucco Keeper says:

    2 stars
    I tried this but used spaghetti noodles from a box, and it turned out weird. Stick to fresh pasta, I guess?

  38. User avatar irvin.ferry89 says:

    4 stars
    Perfect comfort food after a long day. Tasted great with some chicken added!

  39. User avatar wellRespected says:

    4 stars
    So good! I added some shrimp and it was fabulous. Highly recommend! 🌟

  40. 1 star
    This was just plain spaghetti (with oil). Where’s the flavor? Mine came out dry. Not impressed.

  41. User avatar rodrigo.cruickshank51 says:

    4 stars
    Spaghetti Aglio e Olio is my favorite! But how can you call it authentic without anchovies? Not that I wanna sound rude but it’s the truth.

  42. 5 stars
    yum!!!

    1. User avatar lakenya.steuber says:

      5 stars
      Totally agree! This looks amazing! Can’t wait to try it out!

  43. 1 star
    I don’t understand why people like this. It feels like a sad meal. Just noodles and oil? Come on.

  44. User avatar ayesha.rutherford98 says:

    5 stars
    Delicious! Just like my grandma used to make. I can almost hear her say, ‘Don’t burn the garlic!’

  45. User avatar Colin the Security Robot says:

    5 stars
    Yea, spaghetti is good. Easy to make for my family. 10/10 will do again.

    1. User avatar makeda.kozey29 says:

      5 stars
      I love this recipe! So simple and full of flavor. My kids ate it all, even my picky eater! Thanks for sharing!

    2. User avatar Flame Atronach says:

      3 stars
      Sounds good, but I prefer my spaghetti with meat sauce. Maybe it’s just me, but garlic and oil seems kinda bland.

  46. User avatar Tommy Larson III says:

    3 stars
    Eh, I’ve had better at restaurants. This was kinda bland for me.

    1. User avatar Grunthos the Flatulent says:

      4 stars
      I gotta disagree! I think this pasta is simple but sooo flavorful. Maybe you just didn’t add enough seasoning?

  47. User avatar zachary.davis72 says:

    3 stars
    Honestly, it was bland. I expected more flavor with just garlic and chili. Maybe I missed something? 🤔

  48. User avatar crystle.herzog says:

    5 stars
    Spaghetti Aglio e Olio is my favorite dish! So easy to make on busy nights!

  49. User avatar nery.hickle1991 says:

    2 stars
    Garlic and chili flakes? Seems like an odd combo. Didn’t try it.

    1. 5 stars
      I thought it was strange too, but trust me, it works! Garlic and chili are a classic Italian combo. You gotta try it!

  50. User avatar Falmer Shadowmaster says:

    3 stars
    I tried this but didn’t have fresh parsley. I used basil instead. It tasted weird!

  51. 2 stars
    Why do you need to reserve pasta water? Makes no sense to me.

  52. 4 stars
    I can’t cook well, but this one was a success! Thanks!

  53. 4 stars
    Easy and quick! I like pasta that’s al dente — not mushy. 🌟

    1. User avatar Spider Worker says:

      5 stars
      I love how simple this dish is! Perfect for a busy weeknight. Al dente is the best! 🍝

  54. User avatar alberta.bernier says:

    3 stars
    I donno about the chili flakes, it was way too spicy for my taste!

  55. 2 stars
    Honestly, I expected more flavor. It was kinda bland.

  56. User avatar mitsue.hand87 says:

    2 stars
    I dunno, I expected more flavor. It was just kinda… blah.

    1. User avatar roni.schowalter74 says:

      4 stars
      I thought it was pretty decent! Maybe try adding some parmesan on top next time?

    2. 2 stars
      But it’s just spaghetti! How much more flavour do you want? It’s a simple dish!

  57. User avatar Deep Thought says:

    5 stars
    Perfect for a quick dinner! I had everything at home.

    1. User avatar jeramy.schmeler says:

      2 stars
      Looks easy but where’s the flavor? I need more than just garlic and oil.

    2. User avatar derrick.mertz says:

      5 stars
      I totally agree! This is my go-to recipe when I’m in a hurry. So tasty!

  58. User avatar zola.windler47 says:

    5 stars
    This was so easy and delicious! I couldn’t believe how good it turned out. 🍝

3.71 from 84 votes
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