Spaghetti with Garlic and Oil is a simple dish made with only a few ingredients. The garlic and olive oil makes a simple sauce for this spaghetti dish. Serve it with your favorite meal.
I have often said that some of the best foods are very simple foods. I love how the garlic and olive oil make this spaghetti come alive with flavor. It is a great side dish that will compliment just about any meal that you make.
A couple of things that are great about the recipe is that it comes together so quickly and it only takes a few minutes to make. My family loves pasta so this is one that we make over and over again.
Helpful Tips:
- Plan on about 2 to 4 ounces of pasta per person. So one pound of pasta would feed about 6 to 8 people.
- Use 4 to 6 quarts of water when cooking pasta to avoid pasta sticking together.
- Stir the pasta often to prevent the pasta from sticking together.
- Reserve a bit of the pasta water. Add a small amount to the pasta if it sticks together after it is drained.
- Drain the spaghetti in a colander and give a quick shake to remove most of the water.
- There is no need to rinse the pasta with cold water once it is done cooking.
- Have the olive oil and garlic, so when the pasta is done it can be added immediately.
- Toss the spaghetti with the olive oil mixture until the pasta is all coated.
- Leftover spaghetti can be reheated in the microwave or if reheating on the stovetop add to the spaghetti to a skillet with a bit of water or olive oil and heat to the desired temperature.
Steps for making Spaghetti with Garlic and Oil:
Step one
Bring a large pot of water to a boil and follow the cooking instructions on the box of spaghetti. Remember to stir occasionally and check the pasta for doneness tasting one of the strands of the pasta.
Step two
While the pasta is cooking get the sauce ready. In a large skillet heat over medium heat add the olive oil, garlic, and red pepper flakes.
Step three
Cook the garlic, stirring until the garlic is tender, about 2 minutes.
Step four
Once the pasta is done drain, reserve a 1/2 cup of the pasta water. Add the spaghetti to the olive oil mixture and toss until the noodles are coated. If the pasta is dry add a little of the pasta water.
Step five
Added the shredded Parmesan cheese and toss in. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Looking for more pasta dishes? Check these recipes out:
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Spaghetti with Garlic and Oil
Ingredients
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 to 6 large cloves garlic
- 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- In a large cooking pot bring 4 to 6 quarts of salted water to a boil. Follow the instructions on the box of pasta.
- While the spaghetti is cooking make the sauce. Mince the garlic 3 to 6 cloves depending on the amount of garlic flavor you desire.
- In a large skillet over medium heat add the olive oil, garlic, and red pepper flakes and cook for about 2 minutes until the garlic is tender.
- Once the spaghetti is cooked remove from heat and drain in a colander, reserving a 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
- Add the pasta to the olive oil mixture and toss until the pasta is well coated. Adding a small amount of the pasta water at a time if needed.
- Toss in the Parmesan cheese until combined.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Notes
- Use 4 to 6 quarts of water to cook the pasta in to prevent the pasta from sticking.
- Use 2 to 4 ounce of spaghetti per serving.
- Reserve some of the pasta water and add to the drained pasta if it starts to stick together.
- Add the cooked pasta to the olive oil and garlic immediately after it is drained.
Simple, comforting and delicious!
Simplicity and perfection. This is a wonderful example of how easy it is to cook something superb!
Simple and comforting! Making chiicken cordon bleu soon and this will be the perfect side!
I love this recipe! It’s super easy but still packed with flavor. And we always keep a couple boxes of pasta in the pantry, so we can make this at any time!