Italian-Style Spaghetti Aglio e Olio with Chili and Parsley

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-08-09 · Updated 2026-08-09

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

A simple yet flavorful pasta dish featuring spaghetti tossed in fragrant garlic-infused olive oil, red chili flakes, and fresh parsley. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 17 minutes, pairs spaghetti, extra virgin olive oil, garlic cloves 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.

Prep: 5 min Cook: 12 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 480 cal/serving

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Ingredients

12 oz spaghetti
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
6, thinly sliced garlic cloves
1 tsp red chili flakes
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 tbsp for pasta water + 1/2 tsp for sauce salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup freshly grated (optional) Parmesan cheese

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Instructions

Step 1: Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add 1 tbsp salt and 12 oz spaghetti. Cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then reserve 1/2 cup pasta water and drain.
Step 2: While pasta cooks, heat 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 6 thinly sliced garlic cloves and 1 tsp red chili flakes, sautéing gently for 2-3 minutes until garlic is golden and fragrant — be careful not to burn.
Step 3: Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet along with 1/4 cup reserved pasta water, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Toss continuously for 1-2 minutes until pasta is coated and the sauce slightly thickens.
Step 4: Remove from heat and stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley. Serve immediately with 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese if using.