Roasted Garlic and Chili Flakes Spaghetti

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A simple pasta dish featuring al dente spaghetti tossed in a fragrant garlic and chili oil sauce, with a hint of smokiness from roasted garlic. This italian-inspired pasta (vegetarian) ready in about 40 minutes pairs spaghetti, olive oil, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 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.

★ 4.6 (10 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 550 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Place 6 garlic cloves on a baking sheet, drizzle with 1 tbsp olive oil, and roast for 20 minutes until golden and soft. Remove and let cool.
  2. Step 2: Bring 4 quarts of water to a rolling boil in a large pot. Add 1 tsp salt and 12 oz spaghetti, cooking for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
  3. Step 3: Heat remaining 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Squeeze roasted garlic from cloves into the skillet, add 1/2 tsp red chili flakes, and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Add drained spaghetti to the skillet, tossing to coat. Stir in 1/4 cup grated Parmesan and 2 tbsp reserved pasta water, cooking for 2 minutes until the sauce coats the strands.
  5. Step 5: Season with additional salt if needed, and serve immediately.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Roasted Garlic and Chili Flakes Spaghetti take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 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 Roasted Garlic and Chili Flakes Spaghetti?

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 Roasted Garlic and Chili Flakes Spaghetti?

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 Roasted Garlic and Chili Flakes Spaghetti 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 Roasted Garlic and Chili Flakes Spaghetti 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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