Spaghetti Tossed in Garlic-Chili Olive Oil

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-05 · Updated 2026-05-05

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.

Al dente spaghetti coated in a bright, aromatic sauce made from garlic, chili flakes, and extra virgin olive oil for a simple yet flavorful pasta dish. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 20 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 450 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: 15 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 450 cal/serving

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Ingredients

12 oz spaghetti
5 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
5 thinly sliced garlic cloves
1 tsp red chili flakes
1 tbsp for pasta water, plus 1/2 tsp for sauce salt
3 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

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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 reserve 1/2 cup pasta water and drain.
Step 2: While pasta cooks, heat 5 tbsp extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 5 thinly sliced garlic cloves and 1 tsp red chili flakes, sautéing for 2 minutes until the garlic is golden and fragrant but not burnt.
Step 3: Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet with the garlic-chili oil, stirring to coat evenly. Pour in 1/4 cup reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce and cook for 1 minute until the sauce thickens and coats the spaghetti.
Step 4: Stir in 3 tbsp chopped fresh parsley and season with 1/2 tsp salt. Remove from heat and toss in 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy.
Step 5: Serve immediately with extra Parmesan on the side.