This Spaghetti Aglio e Olio is a classic Italian dish that’s full of flavor with a little bit of kick and ready in about 30 minutes!
The ultimate comfort food! This rich and full-bodied pasta dish of Spaghetti Aglio e Olio is made Italian-style, with a generous amount of olive oil, and plenty of garlic to add a pungent flavor that is irresistible.
It’s easy enough for a quick weeknight dinner, fancy enough to serve to guests. Toss in some veggies for a complete nutritious meal. I like to sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top when serving but skip the cheese for a vegan recipe.
The Secret Ingredient for the Best Flavor
If you guessed extra virgin olive oil, you’re right. Extra virgin olive oil is probably one of the most important foods in your kitchen. It fractures and penetrates food more than any other oil, which allows it to magnify the flavors of whatever it touches.
It’s really useful for sautéing vegetables and meats, making salad dressings and marinades, basting roasts while they cook in the oven, and adding flavor to almost any dish that needs a dash of fat or a little extra moistness.
Le Stagioni d' Italia Extra Virgin Olive Oil is a great one to use and perfect for turning up the traditional flavours of Italian cuisine! It’s made from Italian olives with a fruity and balanced flavour, but with low acidity. Harvested by cold pressing, the fresh picked olives are processed quickly for optimum flavour and quality.
The Flavor Your Life campaign aims to educate North American consumers about authentic extra virgin olive oil from Europe. Flavor Your Life is empowering consumers by educating them about the rich history and delicious properties that these oils display-and sharing the delicious extra virgin olive oil culinary culture that's been harvested in Europe for generations.
Le Stagioni d' Italia Extra Virgin Olive Oil is coming soon to a retailer near you but in the meantime you can learn more about it by visiting flavor-your-life.com.
Tips for Cooking with Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Extra virgin olive oil is a versatile staple in any kitchen and can be used for cooking, salad dressing and as a dipping oil. Here are five simple and fun tips for cooking with extra virgin olive oil.
- Extra virgin olive oil can help to preserve fish! Brush 1 teaspoon of olive oil onto freshly caught fish before storing in the refrigerator. The extra virgin oil helps to preserve your catch, ensuring that it will last longer.
- Add extra virgin olive oil for flavor, as well as for nutritional value! Extra virgin olive oil can help your body obtain vital nutrients such as vitamin E, calcium and omega-3 fatty acids.
- Extra virgin olive oil is also delicious on its own or with just a dash of vinegar and salt as a salad dressing.
- A drizzle of EVOO in soups allows ingredients to blend in more smoothly.
- Be careful when cooking with extra virgin olive oil; it has a low smoke point so be sure to cook at medium-high heat-about 350 degrees F, or until hot but not smoking. Use extra virgin olive oil as a bread dip, drizzled over cooked vegetables or pasta (or cooked whole wheat pasta for added fiber). Drizzle extra virgin olive oil over sliced tomatoes and mozzarella cheese for a delicious bruschetta appetizer.
Ingredients
½ pound dried spaghetti
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil (I used Le Stagioni d' Italia Extra Virgin Olive Oil)
3 teaspoons minced garlic
½ tsp dried chili flakes
¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
3 tablespoons parsley, chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
How to Make Spaghetti Aglio e Olio
Cook spaghetti according to package directions.
While spaghetti is cooking, heat up the extra virgin olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and chili flakes to the pan. Cook until garlic turns a slight golden brown but don’t overcook/burn it.
Add the parsley to the pan stirring continuously making sure it is coated with oil.
Drain pasta and add it to the pan with the oil and stir until mixed together. Add, salt, pepper, and half of the grated parmesan cheese and stir until everything is mixed together and coated with oil.
Sprinkle the remaining parmesan cheese on top and enjoy!
Recipe
Spaghetti Aglio e Olio
Ingredients
- ½ pound dried spaghetti
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil my favorite to use is Le Stagioni d’ Italia Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 3 teaspoons minced garlic
- ½ tsp dried chili flakes
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese grated
- 3 tablespoons parsley chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook spaghetti according to package directions.
- While spaghetti is cooking, heat up the extra virgin olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and chili flakes to the pan. Cook until garlic turns a slight golden brown but don't overcook/burn it.
- Add the parsley to the pan stirring continuously making sure it is coated with oil.
- Drain pasta and add it to the pan with the oil and stir until mixed together. Add, salt, pepper, and half of the grated parmesan cheese and stir until everything is mixed together and coated with oil.
- Sprinkle the remaining parmesan cheese on top and enjoy!
Nutrition Disclosure
Nutritional facts are estimates and are provided as a courtesy to the reader. Please utilize your own brand nutritional values to double check against our estimates. Nutritional values are calculated via a third party. Changing ingredients, amounts or cooking technique will alter the estimated nutritional calculations.
Terry Stenson says
love this recipe so easy. where did you purchase the evoo you list? Can’t seem to find it anywhere.
Alison says
They sent it to me. They were supposed to be sold in stores last year but I have yet to see them in stores.