One-Pot Spaghetti with Garlic, Chili, and Olive Oil

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-13 · Updated 2026-06-13

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 developed and reviewed.

A simple Italian pasta dish cooked in one pot, featuring fragrant garlic and a touch of heat from red chili flakes. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 20 minutes, pairs spaghetti, garlic cloves, extra virgin olive oil 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. 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: 15 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 450 cal/serving

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Ingredients

12 oz spaghetti
5 cloves, thinly sliced garlic cloves
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 tsp red chili flakes
1 tsp, plus more for pasta water salt
2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

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Instructions

Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add 12 oz spaghetti. Cook until just shy of al dente, about 7 minutes, then drain, reserving 1 cup pasta water.
Step 2: While pasta cooks, heat 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 5 thinly sliced garlic cloves and 1/2 tsp red chili flakes. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until garlic is golden and fragrant, careful not to burn.
Step 3: Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet along with 1/2 cup reserved pasta water and 1 tsp salt. Toss for 1-2 minutes until pasta is coated and sauce slightly thickens.
Step 4: Remove from heat and stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley and 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.