Pasta Aglio e Olio
A classic pasta from the Naples region but enjoyed across Italy. It’s one of the simplest yet most flavorful pasta dishes you can find in Italian cuisine. The dish usually consists of four main ingredients — spaghetti, garlic, olive oil, and parsley — but you can also add dill and, if desired, grated Parmesan cheese.
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Serves: 2
Ingredients:
7–8 cloves of good-quality garlic, finely chopped or thinly sliced
1 red chili pepper, thinly sliced and then finely chopped
A handful of flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
5–6 tablespoons of good-quality olive oil
200 g of spaghetti
Sea salt and black pepper for seasoning
Optional: Grated Parmesan cheese for serving, although it is often omitted.
Instructions:
- Finely chop or thinly slice the garlic, and finely chop the chili pepper and parsley.
- Cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions. Be sure to generously salt the pasta water.
- A few minutes before the spaghetti is done, heat the olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the garlic and chili, and lightly sauté for about 1 minute.
- Add the cooked spaghetti to the pan and toss well. Add some pasta cooking water to create a sauce.
- Season with sea salt and black pepper. Stir in the chopped parsley.
- If desired, add about 1 tablespoon of grated Parmesan cheese.
- If the pasta seems too dry, add more pasta cooking water.
- Serve immediately, sprinkling with freshly ground black pepper and more Parmesan if you like.
Ready!
