Spaghetti Aglio e Olio

A classic Italian garlic olive oil pasta ready in 20 minutes with just spaghetti, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, and chilli flakes. This is the authentic Spaghetti Aglio e Olio technique, with pine nuts for extra texture and flavour.

📝 Ingredients

• 200 grams spaghetti
• 8 to 10 cups water (or as per pack instructions)
• 1 tbsp salt
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 to 3 garlic cloves (sliced thinly)
• 1/4 teaspoon chilli flakes
• 1 to 2 tablespoon pine nuts (optional)
• 2 tablespoon fresh parsley
• Freshly ground black pepper (optional)
• Freshly grated parmesan (optional)

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1--- Boil the Spaghetti ---
2. 2Boil the Spaghetti: Boil and drain the spaghetti as per packet instructions. You may have to boil a large pot of water and some salt. Then add the pasta into the boiling water and cook according to package instructions. Meanwhile, start the work on the sauce.
3. 3--- Prepare the garlic olive oil sauce ---
4. 4Prepare the garlic olive oil sauce: Do not heat the pan or oil. Take a shallow skillet and add the olive oil and the sliced garlic. Now place this on the stove and turn the heat on low.
5. 5Prepare the garlic olive oil sauce: Cook on low heat until the garlic starts to change colour to light golden.
6. 6Prepare the garlic olive oil sauce: Now, add the chilli flakes and the pine nuts and continue to cook until garlic slices and the nuts turn golden brown. At this stage you can also add a spoon of chopped parsley leaves .
7. 7--- Plate and serve ---
8. 8Plate and serve: Scoop out your Spaghetti pasta and add it directly to the prepared sauce using the spaghetti spoon. You may drain and add but remember to reserve pasta water.
9. 9Plate and serve: Use a wooden spatula to carefully stir and toss everything together so that the oil coats every strand of pasta. You may add more pasta water.
10. 10Plate and serve: Divide into two bowls and garnish it with some freshly ground black pepper or grate some parmesan over the top before serving.