Pasta with Garlic and Oil is one of the most simple yet satisfying pasta recipes you can make! Spaghetti is tossed with olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, parmesan cheese, and crushed red pepper flakes. This garlic pasta is ready in just 15 minutes!
Looking for more pasta dinner ideas? Try my 20 Minute Pasta Carbonara or my Zucchini “Pasta” With Tomato Sauce!
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Pasta with Garlic and Oil
Who knew pasta could be so simple and full of flavor? This garlic and oil pasta (also known as spaghetti aglio e olio which means garlic and oil in Italian) is so easy to make. This pasta in oil and garlic can be made with ingredients you probably already have them in your pantry! All you need is 7 ingredients to make this recipe!
The focus of this dish is the pasta. Everything else including the lemon, garlic, and oil are used to accentuate the flavor of the pasta – the star of the show!
I like to make this pasta with garlic and oil when I am in a pinch and need something to make fast! This recipe takes less than 20 minutes to make start to finish. It can be done all in one pot. Less cleanup = happier cook.
Ingredients
The full ingredient list and measurements are listed in the printable recipe below.
- Pasta: I use whatever pasta I have on hand. Either whole wheat thin spaghetti or regular spaghetti will work.
- Olive oil: Good quality extra-virgin olive oil is essential to the flavor of this dish!
- Garlic: 2 cloves, minced, for an absolutely mouthwatering taste!
- Lemon juice: Adds just the right amount of acidity to balance out the oil.
- Parmesan: This cheese adds a tangy, nuttiness and saltiness to the pasta.
- Spinach: I threw in the spinach as an added bonus. Throwing leftover spinach in pasta is a great way to sneak in extra nutrients.
How To Make Garlic and Oil Pasta
- Firstly, boil the pasta per package instructions. (My pasta took about 8 minutes for al dente.) Drain pasta and set aside.
- Secondly, in the pot the pasta was cooked in, add 1 tablespoon olive oil. When the oil is hot, add in the garlic and sauté for one minute.
- Then, add in red pepper flakes and spinach and cook for an additional minute. Return the pasta back to the pan and stir in the rest of the oil and lemon juice.
- Finally, take the pot off of the heat and sprinkle in the parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper and serve immediately.
Tips for making the best garlic pasta
- Make sure to use a good quality extra virgin olive oil in this recipe. It’s so important for the flavor!
- It is important to cook your pasta to al dente. Overcooked pasta is not good especially in this recipe where the pasta is the star of the show. Using thinner pasta, it will cook quicker!
- Always make sure to salt your water. This flavors the whole dish.
- Rinse your noodles in cold water after they are done cooking to make sure they don’t stick together.
Can I make a gluten-free version?
Of course! Just use gluten-free spaghetti and follow the directions on the package, as you would with regular pasta.
Can I add in any extra veggies?
Yes! Pasta with broccoli, garlic, and oil is a favorite in this house! Here are some other veggies to toss in:
- Broccoli
- Bell Peppers
- Tomatoes (I like cherry)
- Zucchini
- Kale
- Mushrooms (I recommend sautéeing with the garlic)
- Scallions
- Artichoke
- Capers
- Olives – kalamata, black or green
What to serve with Pasta with Garlic and Oil
Here are some more Italian dishes to try:
- Skinny Fettuccine Alfredo
- Crock Pot Chicken Alfredo
- Penne Alla Vodka with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
- Slow Cooker Italian Meatballs
- Italian Gnocchi Soup with Kale and Sausage
- Chicken Parmesan
Pasta with garlic and oil
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Ingredients
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided
- 5-6 cloves garlic, minced, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 6 cups spinach
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1 cup parmesan cheese
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Boil pasta per package instructions. Drain pasta and set aside.
- Add 1 tablespoon olive oil into the pot the pasta was cooked in. Add in garlic and saute for one minute.
- Add in red pepper flakes and spinach and cook for an additional minute. Add pasta back to the pan and stir in the rest of the oil and lemon juice.
- Take off of the heat and sprinkle in the parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper and serve immediately.
Nutrition Information
Did You Make This?
I’d love to hear your feedback! Leave a review and make sure to share your pictures on social media! Don’t forget to follow @thechefsavvy.
Karen Sternberg
I too say no Oil in the Pasta water & don’t rinse the Pasta. To avoid sticking, mix the Pasta well in the pot when you first put it in. Then mix again a time or 2 before it’s done cooking.
Leigh
Just stumbled upon this and it sounds so good! Thank you to Kelley for the recipe.
To Taryn and Toni-for Heaven’s sake, use the common sense G-d gave you and just don’t rinse your pasta. I never rinse mine. That does not distract from this recipe.
To Desmond Riordan-before being negative, get your facts straight. The most pungent parmesiano(parmesan) cheeses do indeed require animal rennet; however, Sartori parmesan cheese does not. It is considered vegetarian. Unless they have lied on their website and label. Check it out yourself on Sartoricheese.com under FAQ. I personally have used this for years and it’s delicious.
This recipe was posted as a guideline. You can always use your freewill to add or omit as necessary.
The truth is out there.
G. B.
Very good. The lemon juice adds a nice taste to it. Nice alternative to red sauces. I would definitely make this again. Easy to make.
Jen Vinuya
I love how tasty this is! My new favorite meal!
Elizabeth
This is such a great way to reuse leftover pasta. I find traditional sauces to be very heavy on my stomach so I like how this recipe uses olive oil instead. Delicious!
Justine
Such a super simple recipe that comes together so quickly, but still has some good flavor! We loved it.
Tara
One of my favorite combination of flavors! This pasta looks so good and I especially love that it is ready in just 15 minutes.
Beth
I love simple pasta dishes like this one that are full of flavor but that don’t take a ton of work. This is fantastic
Alison Saalbach Corey
I love how the simplicity of this dish brings out the natural flavors of the pasta, garlic, and oil. It’s a perfect example of how less is often more. Can’t wait to try this soon. Thank you for sharing this recipe. amazing!!!
Ali
So simple yet incredibly delicious, my favorite type of pasta recipe! I am getting hungry looking at these photos mmmmm