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- 400g spaghetti - 6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced - 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil - 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped - Zest and juice of 1 lemon - Salt, to taste - Parmesan cheese shavings (optional for serving) When I make Spaghetti Aglio e Olio, I always focus on fresh ingredients. Each item plays a key role in flavor. The garlic brings warmth, while red pepper adds a nice kick. Fresh parsley brightens the dish, and lemon zest gives it a zesty twist. Good olive oil is a must. It enhances every bite. I often choose extra virgin olive oil for its rich taste. It makes the sauce silky and smooth. I prefer using fresh parsley over dried. Fresh herbs add life and color. You can also adjust the spice level with red pepper flakes. A little goes a long way, so start small. The optional Parmesan cheese gives a savory finish. However, you can skip it for a lighter dish. Keep these ingredients in mind, and you'll create a simple yet flavorful meal. {{ingredient_image_1}} To cook spaghetti well, start with a big pot of water. Add salt to the water; this makes the pasta taste better. Bring the water to a boil. Once boiling, add the spaghetti. Cook it according to the package instructions until it is al dente. This means it should be firm but not hard. To check if it is ready, taste a strand. If it is perfect, reserve about one cup of the pasta water. Drain the spaghetti in a colander. Now, let’s focus on the garlic and oil. In a large skillet, pour in the extra virgin olive oil. Turn the heat to medium. Add the thinly sliced garlic. Cook it gently for about three to four minutes. You want the garlic to be golden and smell good. Be careful not to burn it; burnt garlic tastes bitter. If it starts to brown too fast, lower the heat. This step is key for a rich flavor. With the spaghetti cooked, it’s time to mix everything. Add the drained spaghetti directly to the skillet with the garlic and oil. Toss the pasta well to coat it in the oil. Next, add the red pepper flakes, lemon zest, lemon juice, and chopped parsley. Toss everything together until well mixed. If the pasta looks too dry, add a bit of the reserved pasta water. Do this slowly until you get the right texture. Finally, taste and add salt if needed. Toss it one last time to ensure all the flavors blend together nicely. To adjust the red pepper flakes, start with one teaspoon. If you want more heat, add more. Remember, you can always add, but you can't take away. Fresh herbs like parsley add a bright taste. Always choose fresh over dried for the best flavor. For a beautiful presentation, twirl the spaghetti on the plate. Add a sprinkle of parsley and lemon zest on top. This makes the dish pop. Pair it with a crisp white wine or sparkling water. Both enhance the flavors of the dish. Prep your ingredients ahead of time. Slice the garlic and chop parsley before cooking. This saves time and keeps you organized. Cook the pasta while you make the sauce. This way, everything is ready at once. Pro Tips Use Fresh Garlic: Freshly sliced garlic will give your dish a much more vibrant flavor compared to pre-minced garlic. Always opt for fresh when possible. Adjust the Spice Level: The amount of red pepper flakes can be customized based on your preference for heat. Start with less and add more if desired! Reserve Pasta Water: The starchy pasta water is a key ingredient for achieving the perfect sauce consistency. Don't forget to save it before draining the pasta! Garnish for Flavor: Adding a sprinkle of fresh parsley and Parmesan cheese not only enhances the presentation but also adds depth to the flavor profile of the dish. {{image_2}} You can change ingredients if you want. If you don't have garlic, try shallots. They give a sweet flavor. For olive oil, use avocado oil or canola oil. They work well too. You can also swap spaghetti for other pasta types. Try linguine, fettuccine, or even whole wheat pasta. Each type will give a different taste and texture. Want to make your dish heartier? You can add proteins like shrimp, chicken, or tofu. If you choose shrimp, cook them for about 3-4 minutes until pink. For chicken, cut it into small pieces. Cook it for about 5-7 minutes until done. If you want a plant-based option, tofu is great. Cook it for about 8-10 minutes until golden. If you want to keep it vegetarian or vegan, skip the cheese. You can still enjoy great flavors with fresh herbs. Add vegetables like spinach, cherry tomatoes, or bell peppers. They add color and taste without meat or cheese. Just toss them in with the pasta for a tasty twist. To keep your spaghetti Aglio e Olio fresh, store it in an airtight container. This helps prevent it from drying out. Place the container in the fridge. Your pasta will last about 3 to 4 days when stored this way. If you want to keep it longer, consider freezing it. Just make sure to use freezer-safe containers. Frozen spaghetti Aglio e Olio can last up to 2 months. When it's time to enjoy your leftovers, don't just zap them in the microwave. Instead, heat them on the stove for best results. Add a splash of olive oil or a bit of pasta water to keep the noodles moist. Stir them gently over low heat. This helps to maintain the texture of the pasta. Always avoid high heat; it can make the spaghetti mushy. If you notice it getting too dry, add a little water gradually. This way, you will enjoy a delicious meal just like the first time! Spaghetti Aglio e Olio is a classic Italian dish. It comes from Naples, Italy. The name means "spaghetti with garlic and oil." This dish is simple but very tasty. It uses just a few ingredients. You need spaghetti, garlic, olive oil, and red pepper flakes. Some people add parsley and lemon for extra flavor. The dish has a long history. People have made it for many years. It started as a meal for poor workers. They used what they had on hand. Now, it is loved all around the world. Yes, you can prepare Spaghetti Aglio e Olio ahead of time. To do this, cook the pasta and garlic first. After cooking, let them cool. Store them separately in the fridge. When you're ready to eat, just heat them together. Add the olive oil and seasonings. This way, you save time during busy days. Yes, you can make this dish gluten-free. Many brands offer gluten-free spaghetti. Look for pasta made from rice, corn, or quinoa. These options taste great and cook well. You can use the same recipe with these pasta types. Enjoy a gluten-free version of this tasty dish! This blog post covered how to make Spaghetti Aglio e Olio. We detailed the ingredients needed, step-by-step cooking instructions, and helpful tips for the best flavor. You learned about variations, storage, and reheating methods. Spaghetti Aglio e Olio is easy to prepare and full of flavor. With a few simple tricks, you can create a dish your friends and family will love. Enjoy experimenting with different ingredients and make this dish your own.

Spaghetti Aglio e Olio with a Twist

A classic Italian pasta dish with garlic, olive oil, and a hint of lemon and parsley.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 400 g spaghetti
  • 6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
  • 0.5 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 0.25 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 lemon zest of
  • 1 lemon juice of
  • to taste salt
  • optional Parmesan cheese shavings for serving

Instructions
 

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta.
  • In a large skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil and sliced garlic. Cook gently until the garlic is golden and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes, making sure not to burn it.
  • Add the red pepper flakes to the skillet and stir for about 30 seconds to infuse the oil.
  • Once the spaghetti is drained, add it directly to the skillet with the garlic and oil. Toss to coat evenly.
  • Add the lemon zest, lemon juice, and chopped parsley, tossing everything together well. If the pasta seems too dry, add some reserved pasta water, a little at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
  • Season with salt to taste, and give the dish one last toss to mix everything thoroughly.
  • Serve immediately, garnished with Parmesan cheese shavings if desired.

Notes

Adjust red pepper flakes to taste for desired spiciness.
Keyword garlic, lemon, olive oil, parsley, spaghetti