Name: Spaghetti Aglio E Olio Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 200 g spaghetti; 1/4 cup olive oil; 6 garlic cloves (thinly sliced); 1/2 tsp salt; 1 tsp chicken powder (optional); 1 tsp red chili flakes; 1/2 tsp crushed black pepper; 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

Jump to Recipe

If you’re longing for a meal that’s both impressive and effortless, Spaghetti Aglio E Olio is a true classic that never disappoints. This Italian favorite celebrates simplicity with a handful of high-quality ingredients, coming together to form a dish that’s luxuriously silky, garlicky, and brimming with just the right touch of heat. Every forkful gives you a taste of rustic comfort and culinary finesse, making it perfect for anything from a speedy solo dinner to a crowd-pleasing gathering.

Spaghetti Aglio E Olio Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of Spaghetti Aglio E Olio is in the pared-down ingredients—each one absolutely sings on the plate. With just the right components, you get a rich, aromatic, and satisfying bowl that’s far greater than the sum of its parts.

Spaghetti: The traditional pasta shape for this dish; its strands perfectly hold the garlicky olive oil sauce.
Olive oil: Choose a good-quality extra-virgin oil; it’s the backbone here, bringing fruity richness to every bite.
Garlic cloves: Thinly slicing them gives lovely little chips that crisp up and flavor the oil deeply.
Salt: Just enough to draw out the flavors and make everything pop.
Chicken powder (optional): A handy little “umami booster” for added savoriness, though it’s not strictly traditional.
Red chili flakes: Sparks of gentle heat that are signature to the dish—adjust to your taste, but don’t skip them!
Crushed black pepper: Adds subtle earthiness and a peppery finish that pairs beautifully with the other flavors.
Parmesan cheese: Melty, nutty, and essential for that final flourish—use freshly grated if possible.

How to Make Spaghetti Aglio E Olio

Step 1: Cook the Spaghetti

Set a big pot of water on to boil, then add a generous pinch of salt and the spaghetti. Cook it until it’s perfectly al dente—you want those noodles with just a bit of bite. When you drain the pasta, be sure to reserve about 1/4 cup of the starchy cooking water. This will work a little magic on your sauce in a moment.

Step 2: Infuse the Olive Oil with Garlic and Chili

In a large skillet or frying pan, pour in that lovely olive oil and warm it over medium heat. Scatter the sliced garlic into the oil and gently cook, watching as it turns golden and fragrant—don’t crank the heat or it’ll turn bitter. Now sprinkle in the red chili flakes and let them sizzle for a minute, creating a beautifully spiced base for your Spaghetti Aglio E Olio.

Step 3: Bring It Together

Turn the heat to medium-high and add your reserved pasta water to the pan, carefully—watch that steam! Tumble in your drained spaghetti, then season everything with salt, crushed black pepper, and if you like, a teaspoon of chicken powder. Toss it all together so the strands are shimmery and slick with that garlicky goodness.

Step 4: Melt in Parmesan

As the spaghetti and sauce mingle, sprinkle in about two-thirds of the grated Parmesan. Toss and swirl with tongs, letting the cheese melt seamlessly into the hot pasta and form a silky, luscious coating. The aroma right now will have everyone hovering over the stove.

Step 5: Serve and Garnish

Spaghetti Aglio E Olio loves to be eaten hot and fresh. Dish it up immediately, then shower over the remaining Parmesan. For that extra flavor bomb, top with a pinch more chili flakes, some crispy fried garlic if you reserved it, and a bright scatter of chopped coriander leaves.

How to Serve Spaghetti Aglio E Olio

Garnishes

A sprinkle of fresh herbs like chopped coriander or parsley adds not just color, but a burst of freshness. If you’re a garlic fan, save a few golden slices to sprinkle on top, and don’t be shy with an extra pinch of chili flakes and that last handful of Parmesan.

Side Dishes

This dish pairs gracefully with bright sides—think a peppery arugula salad, some roasted veggies, or warm crusty bread for mopping up every drop of the garlicky oil. A citrusy white wine or sparkling water with lemon rounds out the meal.

Creative Ways to Present

If you want to dress up Spaghetti Aglio E Olio for company, try twirling nests of pasta onto preheated plates, then drizzle with a little extra olive oil. Or, serve smaller portions in mini bowls as a starter. For color and interest, garnish with thin lemon zest strips or a dusting of toasted breadcrumbs for crunch.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you find yourself with extra Spaghetti Aglio E Olio (lucky you!), transfer it to an airtight container after it cools. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, although it’s always best the day you make it.

Freezing

Freezing isn’t recommended for this dish, as the texture of the pasta and sauce will suffer. The garlic-infused oil and cheese simply lose their magic after thawing—Spaghetti Aglio E Olio is something best enjoyed fresh.

Reheating

To bring your leftovers back to life, add a splash of water or olive oil to a skillet and gently rewarm the pasta over low heat, stirring often. This helps re-emulsify everything and keeps your spaghetti from drying out. Try to avoid microwaving, as it can make the pasta rubbery.

FAQs

Can I make Spaghetti Aglio E Olio without Parmesan cheese?

Absolutely! Parmesan adds richness, but the dish is delicious even without it. If you prefer a dairy-free version or simply don’t have cheese on hand, enjoy the robust flavors of the garlic and olive oil on their own.

What’s the best way to get the garlic perfectly golden without burning it?

Keep your heat on medium and watch closely. Stir the garlic frequently, and as soon as it turns lightly golden and aromatic, remove it from the heat or the pan—garlic can go from perfect to burnt in seconds.

Can I use another type of pasta?

While spaghetti is traditional and gives that classic twirl, you can use other long pastas like linguine or fettuccine. Just be sure to cook it al dente so it holds up to the sauce.

Is it possible to make this dish gluten-free?

Absolutely—just swap in your favorite gluten-free spaghetti. Follow the package directions closely, as gluten-free pastas can cook faster, and always taste for doneness.

Can I add other ingredients to Spaghetti Aglio E Olio?

Go ahead and personalize! Toss in sautéed mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, or even a handful of baby spinach. Just keep the focus on the garlic and olive oil foundation that makes this pasta so special.

Final Thoughts

Few dishes deliver the kind of soul-satisfying joy that Spaghetti Aglio E Olio does, with just a handful of pantry staples and a pinch of love. Give it a try—you’ll discover why it’s a go-to favorite for busy weeknights, cozy weekends, and every craving in between. Happy cooking!

Spaghetti Aglio E Olio Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 29 reviews

Author: Sophie
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: Serves 2
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

A classic Italian pasta dish, Spaghetti Aglio E Olio is a flavorful and simple recipe featuring spaghetti tossed in garlic-infused olive oil, topped with Parmesan cheese and spices.

Ingredients

Scale

Spaghetti:

200 g spaghetti

Sauce:

1/4 cup olive oil
6 garlic cloves (thinly sliced)
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp chicken powder (optional)
1 tsp red chili flakes
1/2 tsp crushed black pepper
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

Instructions

Boil Spaghetti: Cook spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta cooking water.
Prepare Sauce: Heat olive oil in a pan. Add garlic and cook until golden. Add chili flakes and cook for a minute.
Toss Spaghetti: On medium-high heat, add the pasta water and spaghetti to the pan. Season with salt, chicken powder, and black pepper. Mix well.
Finish Dish: Stir in two-thirds of the Parmesan cheese until melted. Serve immediately, garnishing with remaining cheese, fried garlic, chili flakes, and chopped coriander leaves.