Sautéed Garlic Spaghetti with Parmesan and Chili Flakes

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-28 · Updated 2026-04-28

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, flavorful Italian pasta dish featuring al dente spaghetti tossed with garlic-infused olive oil, spicy chili flakes, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. This Italian recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 17 minutes, pairs spaghetti, salt, extra virgin olive oil 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.

Prep: 5 min Cook: 12 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 420 cal/serving

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Ingredients

12 oz spaghetti
1 tbsp salt
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
4 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
to taste freshly ground black pepper
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

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Instructions

Step 1: Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil and add 1 tbsp salt. Add 12 oz spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
Step 2: While pasta cooks, heat 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, sautéing for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
Step 3: Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet along with 1/2 cup reserved pasta water and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese. Toss vigorously for 1 minute until the cheese melts into a creamy sauce coating every strand.
Step 4: Season with freshly ground black pepper to taste and sprinkle 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley before serving warm.