Aglio e Olio
Aglio e Olio is a tasty Italian pasta from Naples. It's simple - just spaghetti, olive oil, garlic, red pepper flakes parsley, and maybe some Parmesan cheese if you want and you cook the garlic in olive oil until it's all golden and nice, then add the red pepper for a little kick. Mix it up with the cooked pasta so the oil and garlic get all over. The parsley makes it fresh. Cheese makes it rich. Aglio e Olio shows how Italian food takes a couple good ingredients and makes them into something awesome without doing too much. The Italians are all about simplicity but making it delicious.
Yield: 2
Materials
- 225 gm Spaghetti
- 4 cloves Garlic
- 1/3 cup Extra virgin olive oil
- salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 cup Grated parmesan cheese
- Fresh chopped parsley
- ½ tsp salt for pasta water
Instructions
Pasta
- First, boil water and add half teaspoon salt When it's bubbling, throw in the spaghetti or whatever pasta you want and cook it for around 8-10 minutes, until it's al dente. Don't forget to save atleast half a cup of pasta waterHeat the pan over medium high heat. Add the sliced garlic and sauté for about 2 minutes and stir constantly. Don't let the garlic get brown or itll be bitter. I actually like when garlic gets a little brown though. After draining the pasta, add it to the skillet with the garlicky oil. Toss it around so it gets coated evenly. If it seems dry, add a little of the pasta water to make a nice silky sauce. The starch in the water helps with that. Now you can add some of the cheese and the chili oil or flakes if you want. Season it really well with salt and pepper. Taste it and adjust the seasoning to your preference. If you want sprinkle on some chopped parsley for a pop of color and freshness.225 gm Spaghetti, 4 cloves Garlic, 1/3 cup Extra virgin olive oil, salt to taste, 1 cup Grated parmesan cheese, ½ tsp salt for pasta water, Fresh chopped parsley
Garnish and Serve:
- If desired, garnish with chopped fresh parsley for a burst of color and a hint of freshness.Optionally, serve with grated Parmesan cheese at the table for those who want to add it to their individual servings.
Video
Notes
Aglio e Olio is best enjoyed immediately while it's still hot. It's a simple yet incredibly flavorful dish that showcases the beauty of basic ingredients. You can also customize it with additional ingredients like sautéed mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, or shrimp, but the classic version is a true delight on its own.