Pasta aglio e olio recipe + VIDEO

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Pasta aglio e olio is one of the most delicious Italian pasta dishes ever. You simmer garlic and peperoncino in olive oil to make it, add al dente spaghetti, vermicelli, or capellini, and lots of fresh parsley to create one of the simplest yet flavorful pasta dishes.

Capellini aglio, olio e peperoncino, ready to be eaten.

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What is pasta aglio e olio

Aglio e olio is the most delicious summer dish: pasta with garlic and olive oil. When they say aglio, olio e peperoncino, you also add red pepper flakes to the oil, and simmer them with the garlic.

Garlic slices simmering in a pan with olive oil

The origins of this tasteful dish can be traced in Napoli (Naples), in the Campania Region, in Southern Italy. Thus, this is a classic Neapolitan, top-rated recipe, and for me, it’s a clear expression of the Italian cucina povera.

What is cucina povera

Cucina povera refers to poor cooking: when you take advantage of what you have handy, even the most humble ingredients, and waste nothing. For example, bruschettas and panzanella are two of the most beloved cucina povera recipes. In both of them, you recycle stale bread. Biscottis are also considered cucina povera: the double baking technique is related to making the cookies last more.

Blue bowls full pf chopped fresh curly parsley.

When making aglio e olio you’re recycling nothing. However, I like to say this is a cucina povera recipe because you can make it with three simple and humble ingredients: fresh garlic, oil, and pasta, all easily found in any pantry. But don’t take me wrong: as cheap as it is, this pasta is heavenly delicious.

Pasta a mezzanotte

Aglio e olio pasta is also known as pasta a mezzanotte or midnight pasta because it’s something you can make in the middle of the night with only a few ingredients. Other midnight pasta recipes in my blog include garlic, olive oil and anchovies capellini, pasta alla puttanesca, and pasta with anchovies and capers.

Comfort food at its best

Capellini aglio y olio with parsley on a blue oval serving dish.

No need to say that I’m a garlic lover, killer, you name it, and if it’s related to garlic, that’s me. Pasta aglio e olio is my favorite comfort food ever: the food that I want to eat when I’m happy and the food I want if I’m stressed or sad.

Pasta with olive oil and garlic is also my favorite dish in the world. Sometimes I ask my family: Do you mind if I do pasta with olive oil and garlic again? Fortunately, I never get a no for an answer because we all love pasta aglio e olio.

capellini aglio e olio with parsley, ready to be served.

What to serve with aglio e olio pasta

Because this is my favorite food on the planet, I need nothing else. But pasta with garlic and olive oil goes well with a salad with a citrusy vinaigrette, a Caprese salad or focaccia, or both.

How to pair spaghetti aglio e olio 

This is a very summery dish. While living in California, I used to pair it with a chill pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc. Now that I live in Miami, I prefer to have it with a chianti or merlot despite the heat.

Spaghetti aglio, olio e peperoncino with parsley in a pasta dish with a fork.

What is the best pasta for aglio e olio

I like this pasta either with capelli d’angelo, also known as capellini (angel’s hair) or vermicelli, and guess what: dinner can be ready in less than 15 minutes. Capellini, for example, are cooked al dente in less than 5 minutes. So BINGO!

Tips for the perfect aglio e olio

This recipe proves, one more time, that the simpler, the better. To create a light yet flavorful dish, you just need six ingredients, including coarse sea salt and crushed red pepper. Following are my tips for the perfect pasta with olive oil and garlic:

Aglio e olio capellini with peperoncino and parsley, served in a pasta bowl with a fork.
  1. The first step is to flavor the olive oil by simmering the garlic on it. For many years, I wrongly believed that sautéing the garlic until golden would be enough. With the time, I learned that simmering the garlic until it gets golden brown is the best. The result is crispy garlic chips in your dish and the best flavor ever. 
  2. When making aglio, olio e peperoncino, add the red pepper flakes to the oil with the garlic. The only reason I add the peperoncino at serving time is because one of my kids doesn’t like hot and spicy food. But if like me, you love spicy food, don’t be shy and add crushed red pepper flakes to your taste.
  3. To balance the garlic flavor, parsley is the key ingredient. When I first began cooking this pasta, I sprinkled some minced parsley on my plate. Now I like to add parsley not as a garnish but as a “main” ingredient. Its fresh crispiness perfectly balances the tart flavor of the garlic.
  4. Another good idea is to add some of the water in which the pasta was cooked, to the pan, at the moment you’re combining al dente pasta with the aglio e olio. This will help all the ingredients to combine better. 
  5. You can also add some grated Parmigiano Reggiano or Roman Pecorino cheese while stirring the pasta in the pan. For this pasta, I prefer the Parmigiano Reggiano or Grana Padano nutty flavor. By adding pasta water and cheese to the pan you will create a cremier and less oily aglio e olio.
Pasta aglio, olio e peperoncino, served with Parmesan cheese.

How to make pasta aglio e olio

To make this delicious pasta recipe, you’ll need some kitchen tools and ingredients, including:

Pasta aglio e olio with peperoncino and Parmesan cheese, already served.

Aglio e olio pasta recipe

The following is my recipe. I hope you like it as much as we do.

Pasta aglio e olio

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Pasta aglio e olio
4.96 from 46 votes

Pasta aglio e olio

This simple, yet flavorful, pasta dish will allow you to have dinner ready in less than 15 minutes. The epitome of a summer meal, pasta with garlic and olive oil is a classic of Neapolitan cuisine.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time15 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 518kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 package Capellini (Angel Hair) or Vermicelli
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 10-12 garlic cloves, finely sliced
  • 1 cup curled parsley, coarsely chopped
  • Coarse sea salt
  • Peperoncino (crushed red pepper flakes)
  • Parmigiano Reggianno or Grana Padano cheese

Instructions

  • In a pot over high heat, put the water to cook the pasta to boil.
  • Add the olive oil to a saucepan on medium-low heat and simmer the garlic for about 8-10 minutes, until golden brown. Set aside.
  • In the meantime, add salt to the water and cook the pasta al dente.
  • When the pasta is done, reserve at least 1 cup of the pasta water. Strain the pasta and inmediately add the pasta to the saucepan with the aglio e olio.
  • Stir the pasta, add the parsley and combine. Add pasta water as needed and continue strirring.Add parmesan cheese and stir until a creamy thing cot covers the pasta.
  • Serve warm with red pepper flakes and more cheese.

Video

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Pasta aglio e olio
Amount Per Serving
Calories 518 Calories from Fat 216
% Daily Value*
Fat 24g37%
Saturated Fat 5g31%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g
Monounsaturated Fat 15g
Cholesterol 11mg4%
Sodium 281mg12%
Potassium 264mg8%
Carbohydrates 60g20%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 2g2%
Protein 17g34%
Vitamin A 1022IU20%
Vitamin C 15mg18%
Calcium 237mg24%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Pastas
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: 15 minute pasta recipe, 15 minute pasta with garlic and olive oil, aglio e olio pasta, how to make pasta aglio e olio, pasta a mezzanote recipe, pasta aglio e olio, Pasta aglio e olio recipe, Pasta with garlic and olive oil, Pasta with garlic and olive oil recipe, spaghetii alio e olio
Author: Enri

Notes

If you want to make pasta aglio, olio e peperoncino, add red pepper flakes to taste and simmer them with the garlic.
You can skip the cheese both while stirring the pasta and at serving time, for a vegan version of this dish.
This pasta is delicious the following day, to have at room temperature.

Check some of my favorite pasta recipes:

Enri
Latest posts by Enri (see all)

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90 thoughts on “Pasta aglio e olio recipe + VIDEO”

  2. 5 stars
    Angel hair pasta was always my favorite growing up! Love the simplicity of this dish with fresh parsley and just delicious cheese and olive oil… Yum!

    Reply

  4. 5 stars
    It can’t get any easier or any flavorful than this pasta. I love love love garlic and this is just my kind of meal. I don’t need any thing on the side. Just a big bowl and I am done.

    Reply

  6. 5 stars
    I love simple pasta dishes like this! I mean, who doesn’t?!? That crispy garlic might be the best thing I’ve had all year. Two thumbs up!!!

    Reply

  8. 5 stars
    What a wonderful recipe! Such a gorgeous aglio e olio pasta, it tastes delicious. Thank you for your post, I will definitely make this dish again. 

    Reply

  9. 5 stars
    This pasta recipe turned out fantastic. It was a cinch to make following your excellent instructions and tips. This recipe will definitely become part of our dinner rotation. Have a wonderful day!

    Reply

  10. 5 stars
    My family loves having pasta for dinner. It’s true comfort food and a great option for busy weekdays. Your pasta tastes delicious.

    Reply

  11. 5 stars
    I could eat spaghetti with garlic every day if I could! I just love pasta and garlic is my favorite condiment to add flavor when I’m cooking. Just Delicious!

    Reply

  22. 5 stars
    This is a pretty good and simple recipe to have. It is perfect for late dinners and dates. Makes my mouth water already.

    Reply

  23. 5 stars
    I love pasta too. My son does but my husband think I cook it too bland. I’m going to try this recipe just to see his reaction. He loves garlic and hot peppers. It sounds completely delicious and perfect for dinner.

    Reply

  28. 5 stars
    Wow , the pics look so yummy . The ingredients are already there in my home. So, I will bookmark this recipe so that I can prepare it at the weekend. Thank you, dear.

    Reply

  38. 5 stars
    I just ate dinner 2 hours ago and I’m hungry again looking at this amazing dish of yours! YUM! I feel like I could smell that lovely garlic… I’ll be adding this one too to my list of dinner ideas!

    Reply

  39. 5 stars
    Esta pasta es mi favorita me encanta es sencilla y llena de sabor. Como siempre tus recetas excelentes amiga, te mando un abrazo con cariño.

    Reply

  43. 5 stars
    OMG this recipe is made for me! I not only love pasta, but also garlic. So much that I use it on almost everything. Sometimes I have to contain myself because nor my husband or my daughter are fond of garlic as I am

    Reply
4.96 from 46 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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Soy Enriqueta Lemoine

I am a writer who cooks or a cook who writes: the order of the qualities does not alter the product. Since 2010 I made SAVOIR FAIRE the place where my two passions converge and now I develop recipes professionally and work as a strategist and creator of digital content, including the production of cooking videos. Read more about Enri.

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