One-Pot Spaghetti with Garlic and Olive Oil

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A simple Italian one-pot pasta dish where spaghetti cooks together with garlic and olive oil to create a flavorful and easy meal. This italian-inspired pasta (vegetarian) ready in about 17 minutes pairs spaghetti, 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 450 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.

★ 4.5 (11 ratings) Prep: 5 min Cook: 12 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large deep skillet or pot, combine 12 oz spaghetti, 4 cups water, and 1 tbsp salt. Bring to a rolling boil over high heat and cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, for about 9 minutes until the pasta is just tender and most of the water has evaporated.
  2. Step 2: Meanwhile, heat 4 tbsp olive oil in a small pan over medium heat. Add 5 thinly sliced garlic cloves and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, cooking for 2-3 minutes until the garlic is golden and fragrant but not burned. Remove from heat.
  3. Step 3: Once the pasta has absorbed most of the water, remove from heat and stir in the garlic-infused olive oil, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley. Toss well to coat the spaghetti with the sauce and serve immediately.

Frequently asked questions

How long does One-Pot Spaghetti with Garlic and Olive Oil take to make?

Total time is about 17 minutes (5 min prep + 12 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 One-Pot Spaghetti 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 One-Pot Spaghetti 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 One-Pot Spaghetti 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.

Is One-Pot Spaghetti with Garlic and Olive Oil vegetarian?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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