Man's Simple Pasta with Garlic and Olive Oil
A minimalist pasta dish with garlic and olive oil that requires no complicated steps, perfect for when you have nothing to say but 'man, it's delicious'. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 25 minutes pairs spaghetti, olive oil, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp for pasta water salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil (add 1 tsp salt to the water). Add 12 oz spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, stirring occasionally.
- Step 2: While the pasta cooks, heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and garlic is golden (do not let it brown).
- Step 3: Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining the spaghetti. Drain the pasta and transfer it to the skillet with the garlic oil.
- Step 4: Add 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water to the skillet and toss the pasta for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the spaghetti.
- Step 5: Stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, tossing until the cheese melts and the pasta is evenly coated.
- Step 6: Serve immediately with additional Parmesan on the side.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Man's Simple Pasta with Garlic and Olive Oil take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 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 Man's Simple Pasta with Garlic and Olive Oil?
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 spaghetti from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Man's Simple Pasta with Garlic and Olive Oil?
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 Man's Simple Pasta with Garlic and Olive Oil 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 Man's Simple Pasta with Garlic and Olive Oil?
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
- ★★★★★
Used frozen vegetables instead of fresh and honestly couldn't tell the difference.
- ★★★★★
Used half the salt and it was still plenty flavorful.
- ★★★★★
I've tried many pasta recipes and this is hands down the best.
