Authentic Roman Bucatini All'Aglio e Olio
A true Roman street food classic featuring bucatini pasta coated in garlic-infused olive oil with chili flakes, highlighting simplicity and authentic Italian technique. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 20 minutes pairs (225g) bucatini pasta, (60ml) extra-virgin olive oil, thinly sliced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 8 oz (225g) bucatini pasta
- 1/4 cup (60ml) extra-virgin olive oil
- 4, thinly sliced garlic cloves
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 2 tbsp (30g) unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup (25g), finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
- 1/2 cup (120ml) reserved pasta water
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 8 oz bucatini and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente; reserve 1/2 cup pasta water and drain.
- Step 2: Heat 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 thinly sliced garlic cloves and 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes; sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant—do not brown.
- Step 3: Add drained bucatini to the skillet with 2 tbsp unsalted butter, 1/2 cup reserved pasta water, and 1/4 cup chopped parsley.
- Step 4: Toss vigorously for 1 minute until butter melts and sauce coats pasta evenly.
- Step 5: Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Authentic Roman Bucatini All'Aglio e Olio take to make?
Total time is about 20 minutes (5 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Authentic Roman Bucatini All'Aglio e Olio?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep (225g) bucatini pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Authentic Roman Bucatini All'Aglio e Olio?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Authentic Roman Bucatini All'Aglio e Olio for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Authentic Roman Bucatini All'Aglio e Olio?
Italian pasta like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Restaurant quality! Can't believe how easy this was.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
- ★★★☆☆
Decent recipe but nothing special. Might try a different version.
