Spaghetti Aglio e Olio with Chili

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-29 · Updated 2026-06-29

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 classic pasta dish using half the traditional oil with garlic and red chili to keep it light but flavorful. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 17 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 420 calories and feeds 2, 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 2 Italian cuisine 420 cal/serving

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Ingredients

8 oz spaghetti
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
4 thinly sliced garlic cloves
1/2 tsp red chili flakes
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

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Instructions

Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water (1 tsp salt) to a rolling boil. Add 8 oz spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain the pasta.
Step 2: While pasta cooks, heat 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Add 4 thinly sliced garlic cloves and 1/2 tsp red chili flakes, sauté for 1-2 minutes until garlic is golden and fragrant but not burnt.
Step 3: Add the drained pasta to the skillet along with 1/4 cup reserved pasta water and 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley. Toss vigorously for 1 minute to combine and coat the pasta.
Step 4: Season with 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper and additional salt if needed. Remove from heat and sprinkle 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese over the top before serving.