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Spaghetti with Garlic and Oil

A quick and delicious Italian dish perfect for busy weeknights that is made with simple pantry ingredients.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 400
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta
  • 12 ounces Spaghetti
Garlic Mixture
  • 6 cloves Garlic, minced Use plenty for flavor.
  • 1/2 cup Olive oil Olive oil is like liquid gold.
  • 1 teaspoon Red pepper flakes Adjust based on heat preference.
  • to taste Salt For extra flavor boost.
Garnish
  • a handful Fresh parsley, chopped For a fresh kick.
  • optional Freshly grated Parmesan cheese A delicious finish.

Method
 

Cooking Pasta
  1. Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a rolling boil. Add a good pinch of salt.
  2. Toss in the spaghetti and cook according to package instructions, usually around 8-10 minutes for al dente.
Sautéing Garlic
  1. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
  2. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently until fragrant and lightly golden.
Bringing it Together
  1. Add the red pepper flakes to the skillet and sizzle for another minute.
  2. Once the spaghetti is cooked, reserve about a cup of the pasta water, then drain the spaghetti.
  3. Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet with the garlic and oil and toss together.
  4. Add a splash of the reserved pasta water to bring everything together.
Final Touches
  1. Season with salt to taste and toss in the chopped parsley.
  2. Serve immediately, optionally garnishing with grated Parmesan cheese.

Notes

Don’t overcook the garlic to avoid bitterness. Adding starchy pasta water enhances the sauce's texture.