Spaghetti Aglio e Olio

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title: "Spaghetti Aglio e Olio" description: "The world's simplest pasta — spaghetti tossed with golden garlic, red pepper flakes, olive oil, and parsley." date: "2026-05-01" dateModified: "2026-05-01" author: "NoodleDex Kitchen" tags: ["spaghetti", "italian", "garlic", "olive oil"] noodleId: "spaghetti" difficulty: "easy" cookTime: 20 prepTime: 5 servings: 4 image: "/images/recipes/aglio-e-olio.jpg" ingredients:

• "1 lb (450g) spaghetti"
• "6 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil"
• "6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced"
• "1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (or to taste)"
• "1/2 cup pasta cooking water, reserved"
• "1/4 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped"
• "Salt and black pepper to taste"
• "Parmesan cheese, optional" instructions:
• "Cook spaghetti in heavily salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining."
• "While pasta cooks, warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add garlic slices and cook slowly until golden (not brown), about 5-6 minutes."
• "Add red pepper flakes to the garlic oil. Cook 30 seconds."
• "Add drained pasta to the skillet with a splash of pasta water. Toss vigorously to emulsify the sauce."
• "Remove from heat. Add parsley, salt, and pepper. Toss again."
• "Serve immediately. Top with Parmesan if desired."

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Ingredients

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Aglio e olio proves great food needs no more than five ingredients.

• 1 lb spaghetti
• 6 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 6 garlic cloves, sliced thin
• Red pepper flakes, parsley, salt, pepper

Instructions

1. Cook spaghetti al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
2. Slowly golden garlic in olive oil over medium-low heat.
3. Add pepper flakes. Add drained pasta and pasta water. Toss vigorously.
4. Finish with parsley and seasoning.

Tips & Variations

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet. Low-and-slow is the only way to cook the garlic — browned garlic will make the dish bitter, not sweet.

Add anchovy: Dissolve 2 anchovy fillets in the oil before adding garlic for extra umami depth.

Serving Suggestions

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Serve immediately with crusty bread, a simple green salad, and a glass of dry white wine.