Spaghetti Aglio e Olio

4.7
(488)

No two aglio e olio recipes are alike, but this one is pretty true to the classic method. The key is slowly toasting the garlic slices to a perfect golden brown in the olive oil. If it's too light, you don't get the full flavor and if it's too dark it gets bitter. My advice? Do it perfectly.

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Two plated servings of spaghetti aglio e olio, served with fresh parsley and parmesan cheese
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Prep Time:
10 mins
Cook Time:
15 mins
Total Time:
25 mins
Servings:
4
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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 4 servings

  • 1 pound uncooked spaghetti

  • ½ cup olive oil

  • 6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced

  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, or to taste

  • salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

  • ¼ cup chopped fresh Italian parsley

  • 1 cup finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

Directions

  1. Gather all ingredients.

    Ingredients to make spaghetti aglio e olio

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  2. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through but firm to the bite, about 10 to 12 minutes. Drain and transfer to a pasta bowl.

    A metal colander with cooked spaghetti

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  3. While the pasta is cooking, combine olive oil and garlic in a cold skillet.

    A skillet with sliced garlic and olive oil

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  4. Cook over medium heat to slowly toast garlic, about 10 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low when olive oil begins to bubble. Cook and stir until garlic is golden brown, about another 5 minutes. Remove from heat.

    A skillet with browned slices of garlic in olive oil

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  5. Stir red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper into pasta.

    A glass bowl of cooked spaghetti topped with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  6. Pour in hot olive oil and garlic, and sprinkle on Italian parsley and half of the Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese; toss until combined.

    A pan with hot oil and browned garlic slices being poured over cooked spaghetti in a glass bowl

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  7. Serve pasta topped with the remaining Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.

    Two plated servings of spaghetti aglio e olio, served with fresh parsley and parmesan cheese

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

Recipe Tip

It's not traditional, but for extra richness, add 1 tablespoon butter when you toss pasta with cheese.

1,055 home cooks made it!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

755 Calories
35g Fat
87g Carbs
23g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Calories 755
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 35g 44%
Saturated Fat 8g 38%
Cholesterol 18mg 6%
Sodium 355mg 15%
Total Carbohydrate 87g 32%
Dietary Fiber 4g 14%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 23g 46%
Vitamin C 7mg 7%
Calcium 260mg 20%
Iron 4mg 24%
Potassium 321mg 7%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.