Garlic and Herb Spaghetti Aglio e Olio — A Timeless Recipe Worth Waiting 30 Years For
Some recipes are so good they become a neighbor’s best-kept secret. This gorgeous bowl of spaghetti tossed in golden garlic-infused olive oil, fresh parsley, a hint of red chili flakes, and a generous dusting of Parmesan is the kind of dish that earns a standing ovation at the dinner table with almost no effort at all. It is the Italian classic known as Aglio e Olio, and once you make it yourself, you will wonder how you ever lived without it.
What makes this dish so special is its beautiful simplicity. There are no heavy sauces, no long prep times, and no complicated techniques. Just a handful of honest ingredients coming together in perfect harmony. The garlicky, slightly spicy, herb-flecked pasta you see in that dish is proof that the best food in the world does not need to be complicated — it just needs love, good olive oil, and plenty of garlic.
Ingredients
- 400g (14 oz) spaghetti
- 6 to 8 large cloves of garlic, finely minced or thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup good quality extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 cup freshly chopped flat-leaf parsley
- 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- Salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta cooking water
- Optional: a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for brightness
Method
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