Description
Ina Garten’s spaghetti aglio e olio showcases simple Italian pasta perfection with garlic, olive oil, and parsley. Chefs will savor this classic dish’s elegant simplicity and robust flavors that transport dinner tables straight to Naples.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) spaghetti, such as De Cecco
- 1 cup (100 g) Parmesan cheese, freshly grated, plus extra for serving
- 8 large garlic cloves, sliced thinly
- ⅓ cup (80 ml) olive oil, good quality
- ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- ½ cup (20 g) parsley, fresh, minced
Instructions
- Water Preparation: Fill a large pot with water, generously salting the liquid. Immerse spaghetti and cook following package instructions until perfectly al dente. Reserve 360 milliliters of pasta water before draining.
- Garlic Infusion: Heat olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium flame. Delicately sauté thinly sliced garlic, stirring continuously until edges transform to a golden amber. Sprinkle red pepper flakes, allowing them to release their aromatic essence for 30 seconds.
- Sauce Development: Pour reserved pasta water into the fragrant garlic-oil mixture. Elevate heat to induce boiling, then reduce to a gentle simmer. Allow liquid to reduce by one-third, integrating salt to enhance flavor complexity.
- Pasta Integration: Transfer cooked spaghetti directly into the aromatic sauce. Thoroughly toss to ensure comprehensive coating, momentarily removing pan from heat source.
- Final Embellishment: Gently fold in freshly chopped parsley and finely grated Parmesan cheese. Let the pasta rest briefly, allowing sauce to absorb and flavors to harmonize. Conduct a final seasoning adjustment if needed.
- Serving: Plate the spaghetti while maintaining optimal temperature, garnishing with additional Parmesan cheese for personal preference.
Notes
- Pasta Water Magic: Reserved pasta water acts as a secret weapon, creating a silky, emulsified sauce that clings perfectly to spaghetti strands.
- Garlic Precision: Slice garlic paper-thin and watch carefully during sautéing to prevent burning, which can introduce bitter flavors.
- Heat Control Technique: Manage skillet temperature meticulously to develop golden garlic without scorching, ensuring a delicate, nutty flavor profile.
- Resting Ritual: Allowing pasta to rest for 5 minutes enables deeper sauce absorption and harmonizes flavors, transforming a simple dish into a restaurant-quality experience.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 570
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 75 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg