Italian Pasta with Garlic Olive Oil Sauce Recipe
This classic Italian Pasta with Garlic Olive Oil Sauce is a simple yet flavorful dish featuring al dente spaghetti tossed in a fragrant sauce made of garlic, extra virgin olive oil, red pepper flakes, and fresh parsley. Perfect for a quick and satisfying meal, it can be enjoyed as is or topped with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese for extra richness.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 400 g (14 oz) spaghetti
Sauce
- 6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Optional Topping
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente, typically about 8-10 minutes. Properly cooking the pasta ensures the best texture in the final dish.
- Prepare the garlic oil sauce: While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced garlic and sauté for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden, being careful not to burn it. Stir in the red pepper flakes to infuse some heat into the oil.
- Drain the pasta and reserve water: Before draining the pasta, reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water. Then drain the spaghetti thoroughly.
- Toss pasta with sauce: Add the drained spaghetti directly into the skillet with the garlic and olive oil. Toss well to coat the pasta evenly. Add reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the mixture and create a smooth, silky sauce that clings to each strand.
- Season and finish: Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper according to your taste. Stir in the chopped fresh parsley for a burst of color and fresh herbal flavor.
- Serve: Serve the pasta immediately, optionally topped with grated Parmesan cheese for added savoriness and richness.
Notes
- Be careful not to burn the garlic as it can turn bitter and affect the flavor of the dish.
- Adding reserved pasta water helps to emulsify the sauce and makes it silky; add gradually to control consistency.
- Use fresh parsley for the best flavor and garnish.
- For a vegan version, omit the Parmesan cheese or use a plant-based alternative.
- This dish pairs well with a fresh green salad or crusty bread.
Keywords: Italian pasta, garlic olive oil sauce, spaghetti recipe, easy pasta dish, vegetarian pasta, quick Italian meals
