Quick Spaghetti Aglio e Olio with Chili and Parsley

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-18 · Updated 2026-06-18

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 classic Italian pasta tossed with fragrant garlic, red chili flakes, and fresh parsley for a quick yet flavorful dinner. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 15 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 400 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: 10 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 400 cal/serving

Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

12 oz spaghetti
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
6, thinly sliced garlic cloves
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 cup, chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
to taste salt
to taste black pepper
1/4 cup, grated (optional) parmesan cheese

Nonstick skillets worth buying → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 12 oz spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
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 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes, sautéing for 2-3 minutes until garlic is golden and fragrant but not burnt.
Step 3: Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet along with 1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley and 1/4 cup reserved pasta water. Toss vigorously for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats every strand.
Step 4: Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Serve immediately with 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese sprinkled on top if desired.