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A plate of spaghetti with garlic and oil garnished with parsley and chili flakes.

Spaghetti with Garlic and Oil

This spaghetti with garlic and oil is a quick and delicious Italian dish that's perfect for busy nights, requiring minimal ingredients and time to prepare.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 400
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta
  • 8 ounces 8 ounces of spaghetti
Garlic Oil
  • 4 tablespoons 4 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil Use high-quality olive oil for best flavor.
  • 4 cloves 4 cloves of garlic, thinly sliced Minced garlic can be used for extra zest.
  • 1/4 teaspoon 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes Optional for a spicy kick.
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste Adjust to your preference.
Garnish
  • Fresh parsley, chopped Adds color and flavor.

Method
 

Boiling the Pasta
  1. In a large pot of salted water, bring your spaghetti to a boil. Cook it according to the package instructions until it’s al dente—around 8-10 minutes.
Preparing the Garlic Oil
  1. While your pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add in the sliced garlic and sauté for about 2-3 minutes, until it turns golden brown and fragrant.
Adding Red Pepper Flakes
  1. If you’re feeling adventurous, toss in the red pepper flakes for added flavor.
Combining Everything
  1. Once the spaghetti is done, reserve about a cup of the pasta water before draining. Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet with the garlic oil and toss everything together, adding a splash of the reserved pasta water.
Seasoning
  1. Taste the dish and season with salt and pepper to your liking.
Garnishing and Serving
  1. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the dish and serve it hot.

Notes

Use dried parsley as a substitute if fresh herbs aren't available, but use less as dried herbs are more concentrated. To add protein, grilled chicken or shrimp can be tossed in at the end. Reserve pasta water helps create a luscious sauce that clings beautifully to the spaghetti.