Spaghetti Aglio e Olio with Chili Flakes and Garlic

A classic Italian pasta dish with spaghetti, garlic, olive oil, chili flakes, and parsley. Quick, easy, and bursting with flavor, it's perfect for a weeknight meal.

Prep Time

5 minutes

Total Time

20 minutes

Calories

520

Level

Easy

Yields

4 servings

Cost

£0.70

Season:

☀️ Summer

Meal Type:

Dinner

Cuisine:

Italian•Mediterranean

Main Ingredient:

Pasta

Cooking Style:

Quick & Easy

Mood:

Spicy

Ingredients

Servings

1poundSpaghetti(Use good quality spaghetti for best results.)

£1.00

0.5cupOlive Oil(Extra virgin olive oil is recommended.)

£0.75

6clovesGarlic(Thinly sliced)

£0.50

0.5teaspoonRed Pepper Flakes(Adjust to your spice preference.)

£0.15

0.3cupFresh Parsley(Chopped)

£0.40

To tasteSalt

To tasteBlack Pepper(Freshly ground)

1cupPasta Water(Reserved from cooking pasta)

Total Cost

£2.80

£0.70 per serving

The Method

1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package directions until al dente, reserving about 1 cup of the pasta water before draining.
2
While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring frequently, until the garlic is fragrant and lightly golden, about 2-3 minutes. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
3
Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet with the garlic and oil mixture. Toss to coat.
4
Add about 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water to the skillet and continue to toss, adding more pasta water as needed to create a light sauce that coats the pasta. The sauce should be emulsified and slightly creamy.
5
Stir in the chopped parsley and season with salt and pepper to taste.
6
Serve immediately. Garnish with extra parsley and red pepper flakes if desired.

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My Notes

Nutrition Information

Nutrition per serving (220g)

520 kcal / 2175 kJ

Carbs

65g

25% of RDA

Fat

24g

34% of RDA

Protein

17g

34% of RDA

Detailed Breakdown

Fibre

3 g

10% of RDA

Sugar

3 g

3% of RDA

Sodium

300 mg

13% of RDA

Saturated Fat

3.5 g

18% of RDA

Chef's Tips

Don't overcook the garlic, as it will become bitter.

The pasta water is key to creating a creamy sauce. Add it gradually until you reach your desired consistency.

For a richer flavor, you can add a tablespoon of butter to the sauce along with the pasta water.

Grated Parmesan cheese is often served with this dish, but it is not traditionally included. Feel free to add if you like.

Cooking Equipment

Large pot

Large skillet or saute pan

Wine Pairings

No wine pairing suggestions available for this recipe.

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