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    Home » Recipes » Main Dishes » Spaghetti Aglio e Olio recipe

    LAST UPDATED: November 4, 2022 • FIRST PUBLISHED: January 17, 2021 By Toni Dash 17 Comments

    Spaghetti Aglio e Olio recipe

    Jump to Recipe

    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    spaghetti aglio e olio title image

    Spaghetti Aglio e Olio is authentic Italian pasta with a kick from zesty red peppers. A simple garlic and olive oil sauce along with bright and tangy tomatoes take this spaghetti dinner to the next level!

    spaghetti aglio e olio title image
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    spaghetti aglio e olio title image

    With just a few quality ingredients, you can make this gorgeous, fragrant authentic Italian meal!

    It’s sure to become a staple of your weeknight (or date night!) menu.

    Serve it on its own, or with a side salad. Or create an entire Italian-inspired dinner adding Pasta e Fagioli and Sicilian Cauliflower Salad!

    Jump to:
    • What is Spaghetti Aglio e Olio?
    • Recipe Ingredients + Notes
    • How to Make it – Step-by-Step
    • Variations
    • Recipe FAQs + Pro Tips
    • Storing Leftovers
    • More Recipes You’ll Love!
    • Recipe
    bowl of spaghetti aglio e olio side view

    What is Spaghetti Aglio e Olio?

    This authentic Italian dish from Naples is simplicity at its finest! It’s easy and fast to make.

    Translated from Italian ‘Aglio e Olio‘ means ‘garlic and olive oil’.

    Garlic is sautéed in extra virgin olive oil, then tossed with cooked spaghetti. It’s seasoned with pepperoncini (peperoncino in Italian) or red pepper flakes.

    It’s so easy but the flavors are delicious beyond belief.

    I got this recipe from a friend in Italy, who also adds fresh cherry tomatoes to her Spaghetti Aglio e Olio.

    They are not used in most traditional versions of this dish. However they add a beautiful color and a burst of sweetness that complements the spiciness of the garlic and peppers.

    The recipe can be made with regular or gluten free pasta and is naturally vegetarian too.

    Recipe Ingredients + Notes

    spaghetti aglio e olio ingredients

    Here’s everything you need to make Spaghetti Aglio e Olio.

    Spaghetti. This recipe is delicious with either regular (wheat) pasta or gluten free noodles. Gluten free spaghetti noodles will release a bit more starch than regular pasta making the sauce a bit creamier.

    Olive oil. The oil is a prominent flavor in the dish. Use a good quality extra virgin olive oil for best taste.

    Garlic. You’ll need five whole cloves,  and sliced thinly with a sharp knife.

    Fresh pepperoncini OR red pepper flakes. Fresh pepperoncini peppers are used in the traditional version of this recipe. Unfortunately they can be difficult to find in the U.S.!

    Red pepper flakes offer an easy and flavorful substitution. If you use the whole pepperoncini, slice it thinly first (see photos A and B below).

    Cherry tomatoes. Feel free to omit the tomatoes to make a “classic” version of the spaghetti (or if you just don’t love tomatoes!).

    paghetti aglio e olio over view

    How to Make it – Step-by-Step

    STEP 1. Preparation

    Slice the garlic thinly as shown in photo 1 below.

    If using a fresh pepperoncini prepare it by removing the inner membrane and slicing thinly (photos A and B below).

    how to cut a peperoncino for Spaghetti Aglio e Olio

    STEP 2. Cook the Spaghetti 

    Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta to the boiling water.

    Cook to the package instructions until the pasta is al dente.

    While it is cooking proceed to the next step.

    spaghetti in pot

    STEP 2. Sauté

    Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet.

    Add the garlic, tomatoes and pepperoncini or chili flakes to olive oil (photos 2 and 3). Sauté for about 10 minutes, or until the garlic is soft and fragrant (photo 4).

    NOTE: Do not cook over high heat or the garlic will become bitter.

    Spaghetti Aglio e Olio recipe steps 1-4

    STEP 3. Toss

    When the spaghetti is done cooking, transfer it with tongs or a strainer directly into the skillet with the garlic mixture. DO NOT DRAIN OR RINSE the spaghetti.

    Add 1/2 cup of the spaghetti cooking water to the skillet and stir to combine (photo 5).

    Toss with tongs to combine all the ingredients, then serve immediately seasoned with salt and black pepper to taste (photo 6).

    Spaghetti Aglio e Olio recipe steps 5-6

    Variations

    • Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Cheese lovers will love Spaghetti Aglio e Olio garnished with a bit of Parmesan or grated Romano cheese! Leave off the additional cheese to make this recipe vegan.
    • More red pepper flakes. For a spicier version, add even more chili flakes before serving.
    • Serve with chicken. Although it’s a filling meal all on its own, this spaghetti dish would also taste amazing served alongside grilled chicken.
    two bowls of spaghetti aglio e olio

    Recipe FAQs + Pro Tips

    Do not rinse or drain the cooked pasta

    When the pasta is cooked use tongs to pick it up. Allow excess water to drain back into the cooking pot.

    Add directly to the skillet. A hand held strainer can be used in this same method.

    Add cooking water for a creamier sauce

    While you CAN make this recipe without adding the cooking water, doing so gives it a lovely velvety texture.

    The starch from the cooking water will thicken the light sauce making it even more irresistible.

    What are pepperoncini?

    Pepperoncini are red chili peppers from Italy. Not to be confused with the pickled green peppers sometimes called “pepperoncini” in the USA.

    You’ll want to use these specific red peppers for this recipe. If you can’t find them, the red chili flakes make a perfect substitute.

    Can I make this without the tomatoes? 

    Yes, Spaghetti Aglio e Olio was originally made without the tomatoes. The cherry tomatoes add sweetness and a pop of color that I love even more than the original!

    Storing Leftovers

    This spaghetti tastes best served right away. Store leftovers in an airtight container for 1 -2 days and reheated in the microwave when you’re ready to enjoy.

    The recipe is so easy you can make a fresh batch of Spaghetti Aglio e Olio whenever the craving strikes.

    two bowls of spaghetti aglio e olio

    More Recipes You’ll Love!

    • Homemade Spaghetti Sauce – My Grandmother’s Recipe
    • Baked Spaghetti Squash with Caprese flavors
    • Thai-Style Dipping Sauce
    • Easy Italian Baked Meatballs
    • Spaghetti Carbonara

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    Recipe

    spaghetti aglio e olio sq.

    Spaghetti Aglio e Olio

    A taste of Italy at home made in minutes! Spaghetti Aglio e Olio is the perfect combination of fragrant garlic, sweet cherry tomatoes and hot peppers. It's sure to become a staple of your weeknight (or date night!) menu. 
    5 from 28 votes
    Print Save Recipe Recipe Saved! Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Italian
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 40 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 596kcal
    Author: Toni Dash
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    Ingredients

    • 1 pound spaghetti pasta regular or gluten-free
    • ⅓ cup olive oil
    • 5 garlic cloves peeled and thinly sliced
    • ¼ – ½ teaspoon red chili flakes or 1 fresh red pepperoncini, medium heat, sliced
    • ½ pound cherry tomatoes halved
    • salt and pepper to taste
    • 1/2 cup of the spaghetti cooking water optional but recommended

    Instructions

    • Cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente on the package. Save aproximately 1/2 cup of the cooking water.
    • Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or pan over medium heat.
    • Add the garlic, chili flakes (or pepperoncini) and the tomatoes. Cook, stirring often, until the garlic is soft and translucent (aproximately 10 minutes).
      NOTE: cooking over high heat can overcook/brown the garlic making it bitter so keep the heat at medium.
    • When the spaghetti is done cooking, transfer it to the skillet with tongs or a handled strainer along with ½ cup of the cooking water. DO NOT DRAIN OR RINSE the spaghetti.
      Stir to combine all ingredients in the skillet.
    • Salt and pepper to taste, and more chili flakes if desired. Serve with parmesan cheese and more olive oil if desired.

    Video

    Notes

    Ingredients Notes
    • You can omit the tomatoes to make the classic version. However they taste really very good, the sweetness adds a nice contrast.
    • If using red chili flakes add more or leave it out depending on how hot you like your food.
    • Adding the spaghetti cooking water is optional but will make the sauce creamier (especially if cooking gluten-free pasta).
    Pro Tips
    Cook the garlic over medium heat only. Higher temperatures will make the garlic bitter.
    Storing
    The pasta recipe is best served hot and fresh. It can be stored in an airtight container for 1-2 days in the refrigerator after cooking. Reheat in the microwave.
    If it is dry at all drizzle a bit of olive oil over it after heating.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 596kcal | Carbohydrates: 88g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 16mg | Potassium: 392mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 314IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 37mg | Iron: 2mg
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    Did you make this recipe?Mention @boulderlocavore or tag #boulderlocavore!

    A taste of Italy at home made in minutes! Spaghetti Aglio e Olio is the perfect combination of fragrant garlic, sweet cherry tomatoes and hot peppers.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sweetie says

      January 25, 2021 at 9:48 am

      5 stars
      This was out of this world good! I personally am not a huge tomato sauce fan so this spaghetti is right up my alley. Delish.

      Reply
    2. Jeff says

      January 19, 2021 at 3:47 pm

      5 stars
      We loved this when we had it in Italy. It was like a trip down memory lane to make it at home. Delicious and very easy.

      Reply
    3. Catalina says

      January 19, 2021 at 2:59 pm

      5 stars
      One of my favorite pasta. It’s so simple but delicious! It’s great to make it at home!

      Reply
    4. Cathy says

      January 19, 2021 at 10:47 am

      Love how simple yet flavorful this is! Such a classic!

      Reply
    5. Allyson Zea says

      January 19, 2021 at 10:34 am

      5 stars
      This is one of my all-time favorite dinners!

      Reply
    6. Erin says

      January 18, 2021 at 9:42 pm

      5 stars
      This Spaghetti Aglio e Olio is incredibly delicious!

      Reply
    7. LAUREN KELLY says

      January 18, 2021 at 12:10 pm

      5 stars
      What a delicious way to mix up our boring pasta routine! Thank you!

      Reply
    « Older Comments
    5 from 28 votes (12 ratings without comment)

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    Welcome! I’m Toni Dash. I’m a Certified Nutrition Coach and the professional writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer and creator of Boulder Locavore®. I’m so glad you are here!

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