Pasta With Olive Oil And Garlic Recipe

I’m super stoked to whip up this spaghetti with olive oil and garlic recipe because even if i mess up the garlic timing sometimes, the burst of extra virgin olive oil, crispy garlic, red pepper flakes and fresh parsley come together to create one seriously chill, flavor-packed meal.

I love making pasta with olive oil and garlic. I toss cooked spaghetti in extra virgin olive oil along with garlic, red pepper flakes and salt.

My fresh parsley adds vitamins and flavor while the garlic offers nutritional benefits. Its healthy fats make it a tasty, balanced meal.

Ingredients

Ingredient Quantities

• 400 g spaghetti
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 6 large garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt, to taste
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

How to Make this

1. Boil a large pot of water with plenty of salt, then add 400 g of spaghetti and cook until al dente; reserve about a cup of pasta water before draining.

2. Heat 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat.

3. Add 6 large garlic cloves that have been thinly sliced and cook them slowly stirring occasionally for about 2-3 minutes until they turn lightly golden, but don’t let them burn.

4. If you want some heat, stir in 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes and let it mix in for about a minute.

5. Remove the skillet from heat for a moment to avoid overcooking the garlic once its perfect.

6. Toss the drained spaghetti into the skillet with the garlic oil; if it seems a bit dry, add a little of the reserved pasta water until you get a smooth, silky sauce.

7. Sprinkle salt to taste while stirring the pasta well to ensure every strand is flavored.

8. Mix in 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley and give it a good stir so the herbs are evenly distributed.

9. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed then serve immediately while it’s still warm.

10. Enjoy your simple yet delicious Pasta With Olive Oil And Garlic and share the meal with friends or family.

Equipment Needed

1. A large pot for boiling salted water and cooking the spaghetti
2. A colander to drain the spaghetti and save some pasta water
3. A large skillet for slowly cooking the garlic and mixing the pasta
4. A cutting board and a sharp knife for slicing garlic and chopping parsley
5. Measuring cups and spoons for accurate amounts of olive oil, water, and red pepper flakes
6. A spatula or tongs for stirring and tossing the pasta together

FAQ

• Q: How long should I cook the spaghetti?
  A: Cook the spaghetti for about 8 to 10 minutes until it’s al dente, but check the package instructions to be sure.
• Q: Can I adjust the garlic amount in this recipe?
  A: Yeah, you can totally add more or less garlic depending on your taste. If you like it milder, a few cloves less work fine.
• Q: What do the red pepper flakes do?
  A: They add a nice kick of heat to the dish, but if you’re not into spicy foods, you can skip them without much difference.
• Q: Can I use a different type of pasta instead of spaghetti?
  A: Sure thing, though spaghetti works best as it holds the olive oil and garlic sauce nicely. Other types might work too, but the texture might vary.
• Q: Why is parsley important in this recipe?
  A: Parsley adds a fresh, bright flavor that balances the richness of the olive oil and garlic, making the dish more refreshing.

Pasta With Olive Oil And Garlic Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• Spaghetti: You can swap it out for linguine or fettuccine if you want a different texture or if you simply don’t have enough spaghetti.
• Extra virgin olive oil: If you are out of extra virgin, you could use light olive oil or even avocado oil, but keep in mind the flavor might change a bit.
• Garlic cloves: In a pinch, garlic powder can be used instead, using about 1/4 teaspoon per clove, though fresh garlic gives you a much better taste.
• Red pepper flakes: If you don’t have these, try using a pinch of cayenne pepper or even chopped fresh chili for a similar spicy kick.
• Fresh parsley: If you’re missing parsley, basil or dried parsley (use less since it’s more concentrated) works fine too.

Pro Tips

Alright, so here’s a down-to-earth version of our Pasta With Olive Oil And Garlic recipe along with some extra pro tips to level it up.

First, boil a big pot of salted water and toss in 400 g of spaghetti. Cook ’em until they’re al dente and remember to save about a cup of pasta water before draining the noodles.

Now, heat up 1/2 cup of extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add 6 garlic cloves that have been thinly sliced and cook them slowly. Its important to stir every once in a while so the garlic turns a nice light golden color without burning.

After about 2-3 minutes, if you are in the mood for some extra kick, add 1/2 tsp of red pepper flakes and let it mix in for around a minute. Then take the skillet off the heat for a sec so you don’t overcook that garlic.

Mix in the drained spaghetti to get them all coated in the garlic oil. If the pasta looks a bit dry, just add that reserved pasta water little by little until you get a smooth and silky sauce that coats every strand form the inside out. Season with salt to taste and toss everything together really well.

Stir in 1/4 cup of chopped fresh parsley, make sure it’s evenly spread and then give the pasta one last mix. Taste it and adjust the seasonings if needed before serving it up warm.

Here are a few pro tips to help you get the best out of this recipe:

1. Watch your garlic: Garlic cooks fast and goes from golden to burnt in seconds. It’s best to keep an eye on it while stirring so it only softens and develops flavor without getting bitter.
2. Pasta water is magic: Never chuck away that reserved pasta water. Its starchy and helps bind the sauce together. Add it slowly so you can control the consistency of your sauce.
3. Off-heat trick: Removing the skillet from the heat after infusing the oil with garlic helps to stop cooking fast and prevents a burnt taste. It may seem weird but it works great.
4. Adjust the heat gradually: The red pepper flakes are optional, but if you like a bit of spice, add them slowly. You can always add more later if you want to kick up the heat.

Enjoy preparing this simple yet delicious dish and have fun sharing it with your friends and family.