Garlic-Peppered Spaghetti with Reserved Pasta Water
A minimalist Italian pasta dish where garlic and red pepper flakes infuse olive oil, creating a silky sauce that clings to perfectly cooked spaghetti. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 22 minutes, pairs spaghetti, extra-virgin olive oil, garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 500 calories and feeds 2, 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 spaghetti
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/2 tsp salt
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 8 oz spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
- 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, cooking for 2-3 minutes until garlic is golden and fragrant—do not brown.
- Step 3: Add drained spaghetti to the skillet along with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 cup reserved pasta water. Toss vigorously for 1 minute until sauce coats every strand evenly and thickens slightly.
