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Italian Pasta with Garlic Olive Oil Sauce

A simple yet delicious Italian pasta dish featuring spaghetti tossed in a fragrant garlic olive oil sauce, topped with fresh parsley and optional Parmesan cheese.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 400
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 400 g spaghetti Use your favorite brand.
  • 6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced Fresh garlic is recommended.
  • 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil A high-quality brand makes a difference.
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes Adjust based on spice tolerance.
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped Do not skip this; it enhances flavor.
  • to taste salt Sea salt if preferred.
  • to taste freshly ground black pepper Adds a nice kick.
  • grated Parmesan cheese, for serving Optional, but enhances the dish.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
  2. Add the spaghetti and cook until al dente, usually around 8–10 minutes.
  3. While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  4. Add the sliced garlic and sauté until fragrant and golden, about 2-3 minutes.
  5. Stir in the red pepper flakes.
  6. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta cooking water, then drain the spaghetti.
  7. Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet with the garlic oil and toss to coat.
  8. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
  9. Stir in the chopped parsley.
  10. Serve immediately, topped with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

Notes

Don't skimp on the olive oil; a good quality oil is key to this dish. Use a large skillet for tossing, and keep a close eye on the garlic to prevent burning.