- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 30 min
- Total time
- 50 min
- Yield
- 4 servings
- Difficulty
- EASY
- Calories
- 540 kcal
Quick summary
“Classic garlic and oil pasta enriched with fresh chopped parsley and finished with freshly grated parmesan cheese. A practical and comforting meal that highlights simple pantry ingredients with the correct pasta texture.”
What you need to know
- The cooking water with starch emulsifies the olive oil, creating a light sauce that coats the pasta.
- The minced garlic should brown over low heat with extra care not to darken or turn bitter.
- Finishing the pasta directly in the skillet allows the strands to absorb all the flavored olive oil.
Ingredients
Main
- 400g of pasta (spaghetti or penne)
- 4 tablespoons of olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- Grated parmesan cheese to taste
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 handful of chopped parsley
Instructions
Principal
- In a large pot, boil water and add a pinch of salt.
- Place the pasta in boiling water and cook according to package instructions.
- While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Add the minced garlic and sauté until golden, being careful not to burn it.
- When the pasta is al dente, drain and reserve a cup of the cooking water.
- Transfer the pasta to the skillet with the garlic and mix well.
- If necessary, add a little of the reserved water to loosen the pasta.
- Season with salt, black pepper, and chopped parsley to taste.
- Serve with grated parmesan cheese on top.
Chef's tips
- Use 1 liter of boiling water for every 100g of pasta with 1 tablespoon of coarse salt in the cooking.
- Drain the pasta 1 minute before the package time to finish cooking in the skillet with the olive oil.
- Add the chopped parsley and parmesan cheese with the heat off to preserve the freshness of the seasonings.
Variations
- Add dried chili flakes to the skillet along with the garlic for an garlic, oil, and chili version.
- Incorporate cherry tomatoes cut in half into the olive oil to create a fresh, slightly acidic sauce.
- Finish with fine lemon zest and chopped nuts to gain crunchiness and citrus aroma.
Substitutions
- The spaghetti or penne can be replaced with fettuccine, linguine, rotini, or fresh tagliatelle.
- Grated Parmesan cheese can be swapped for Pecorino Romano, Grana Padano, or aged Canastra cheese.
- Olive oil can receive 1 tablespoon of butter to gain body and a more velvety finish.
How to store
Store leftovers in a container with a lid in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place in a skillet with a drizzle of olive oil and two tablespoons of hot water, stirring gently over medium heat until loosened.
Can it be frozen?
It is not recommended to freeze pasta aglio e olio. The cooked dough loses structure upon thawing, becoming spongy and brittle, while the olive oil dissociates and leaves the dish excessively greasy and without uniform texture.
What to serve with
Pairs well with grilled chicken breast strips, onions-topped sirloin steaks, or vegetables roasted in olive oil. A salad of bitter leaves with arugula balances the oiliness of the dish.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use processed garlic paste instead of fresh garlic?
Prefer fresh garlic cloves sliced or chopped on the spot, as ready-made pastes contain salt and preservatives that alter the characteristic aroma and burn more easily in hot oil.
Should I wash the pasta under running water after draining?
Never wash cooked pasta under running water, as this removes the surface layer of starch that helps fix the olive oil and parmesan cheese in the finishing.
Why is it necessary to reserve the pasta cooking water?
The water concentrates the starch released by the pasta during boiling; when mixed with olive oil under heat and agitation in the skillet, it acts as a natural emulsifier, creating a fluid sauce that adheres to the strands.
How to prevent garlic from burning and becoming bitter in olive oil?
Place the minced garlic in the pan with the olive oil still cold or over low heat; as soon as it starts to foam and release its aroma without browning too much, immediately add the pasta or a ladle of the cooking water.
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