Best of the Best Spaghetti Aglio e Olio
Slick, garlic-rich spaghetti tossed with chili flakes, olive oil, and parsley for a simple yet unforgettable Italian dish. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 30 minutes pairs spaghetti, minced garlic, olive oil 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.
Ingredients
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 6 cloves, minced garlic
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1 tsp chili flakes
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Step 2: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant — do not let it brown. Stir in chili flakes, salt, and pepper.
- Step 3: Toss cooked spaghetti into the skillet, adding reserved pasta water as needed to create a silky sauce. Cook for 2-3 minutes until coated. Garnish with parsley and serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Best of the Best Spaghetti Aglio e Olio take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 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 Best of the Best Spaghetti Aglio e Olio?
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 Best of the Best Spaghetti Aglio e Olio?
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 Best of the Best Spaghetti Aglio e Olio 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.
What goes well with Best of the Best Spaghetti Aglio e Olio?
Italian pasta like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Swapped butter for olive oil to keep it lighter. Still delicious.
- ★★★★★
Added this to my weekly meal rotation. So satisfying.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
