Classic Spaghetti Aglio e Olio
Simple yet flavorful Italian pasta dish with garlic, olive oil, and crispy pancetta, finished with red pepper flakes. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs spaghetti, olive oil, pancetta for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- 8 oz, diced pancetta
- 6 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
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Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.
- Step 2: In a large skillet, heat 4 tbsp olive oil over medium-high heat. Add 8 oz diced pancetta and cook for 5-6 minutes until crispy, stirring occasionally.
- Step 3: Add 6 minced garlic cloves and 1 tsp red pepper flakes. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 4: Toss in cooked spaghetti, adding 1/2 cup reserved pasta water as needed. Cook for 2-3 minutes until sauce coats the pasta.
- Step 5: Stir in 2 tbsp chopped parsley and season with 1 tsp salt. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan.









