So simple, yet so tasty, this olive oil pasta sauce or Spaghetti aglio e olio recipe is an easy meal you can whip up in no time on those busy evenings. This flavor packed recipe is full of sweet toasted garlic that pairs so nicely with the Moroccan olive oil, basil and Parmesan.
What is Spaghetti Aglio e Olio
In basic translation, spaghetti agile e Olio means spaghetti with garlic and olive oil. In other words, it’s translated into : simple basic deliciousness.
It’s fascinating how really simple ingredients can have such a powerful impact on our tastebuds! But the truth is, quality ingredients no matter how simple they are, make a world of difference in your food!
What really makes this recipe what it is, is absolutely quality Olive Oil. For that I always choose my go to – Mina’s Olive Oil.
Why Moroccan Olive Oil
- Moroccan Olive Oil is rich in Polyphenols (more on that below)
- Mina’s Moroccan Olive oil is a single sourced olive oil, so you can trace every bottle to the tree!
- It’s very tasty, rich and versatile!
How to Make Olive Oil Pasta
Crunchy Bread Crumbs
You’ll start by crisping up some panko bread crumbs in Olive oil in a large skillet. This is the same skillet you’ll be making the sauce in.
Season the bread crumbs with salt and chilli flakes to add an extra layer of flavor. Once they’re done, I also love adding fresh basil. This may be optional, but it seriously adds so much to this humble delicious dish!
Olive Oil Pasta Sauce
This olive oil pasta sauce is so easy to make. It’s not so much a sauce as much as it is flavoured olive oil. For that I will mention again— use quality olive oil here like Mina’s!
Start by peeling and slicing your garlic. You can go more or less than what I used here. I probably could add an extra 5 cloves, but I wanted to show you a moderate version of the sauce.
Slicing the garlic is key, you don’t want to mince it and have the garlic go bitter. Slicing offers a sweet deep rich taste of garlic rather than bitter garlic.
Place at least 1/2 cup of olive oil in the same skillet on medium heat and then add the garlic. Simmer until lightly golden and the garlic has softened and then take off the heat.
Seasoning the garlic here with chilli flakes and fresh basil adds another layer of flavor and freshness to the sauce!
Assemble The Pasta with Olive Oil and Garlic
While you are simmering the garlic in olive oil for your olive oil pasta sauce, bring a large pot of water to the boil and add in the spaghetti.
Boil for the duration of your spaghetti package instructions. Spaghetti is always best-cooked al dente. This means that it should be soft but with a bite to it.
Test your spaghetti before taking it off the boil to make sure it has been cooked enough. You don’t want hard pasta in the middle of your spaghetti.
Once your pasta has been cooked, discard the starchy pasta water leaving about 1 cup. Now add the pasta to the olive oil and garlic. You may add some of the pasta water (gradually until you reach the desired consistency) for a creamier pasta dish.
Add the chopped parsley, basil, red pepper flakes as well as some more extra virgin olive oil and toss it together. Now add the parmesan cheese to taste.
Finally top the dish with some crunchy bread crumbs. You can add pepper to taste, extra chilli flakes, cheese, and of course more and more olive oil!
Since we’re on the olive oil topic, let’s get into why I love Moroccan Olive Oil and everything you need to know about Polyphenols!
Why Polyphenol Rich Olive Oil
When choosing your olive oil, its crucial to think of polyphenol content as well as the taste.
We’re used to looking for the taste, however polyphenol rich olive oil offers you great benefits. Some of them include:
- Heart health
- Joint health
- Better skin
- Stronger immune system
So that brings us to the question:
What Are Polyphenols?
Polyphenols are a powerful compound found in plants (fruits, veggies), spices, chocolates and tea. They are powerful antioxidants that benefit our bodies.
Benefits of High Polyphenol Olive Oil
Mina’s olive oil is sourced exclusively from Moroccan Olives. The Olive trees grow in very harsh desert conditions and this triggers the trees to produce more antioxidants.
The trees go into a nutrient surge to preserve their longevity and this reflects as tens of times more antioxidant power of the olives.
For us consumers, high polyphenol olive oil means more health benefits, higher smoking point olive oil, and a deep rich taste.
For today’s recipe and all my olive oil recipes, I use exclusively Polyphenol Rich Olive Oil from Morocco like Mina’s which you can find on amazon 🙂
Spaghetti Aglio e Olio Recipe Tips
- Start with quality Olive oil for this dish— remember it’s a pasta in olive oil sauce! I use Mina.
- Make the bread crumb toping! It adds flavor and crunch to the pasta!
- Cook your garlic on a low simmer as high heat will potentially burn the garlic.
- It’s best to slice your garlic instead of crushing it as it will cook better in olive oil without turnips bitter.
- Fresh basil and Parmesan are optional, but they add just more flavor and freshness!
- This pasta with olive oil is perfect on its own for lunch or dinner. But it also makes the absolute BEST side dish to any protein!
This olive oil pasta recipe really is a lovely simple dish to make when you don’t have much time but want something that is pure comfort food.
It doesn’t take longer than about 15 or 20 minutes and its really filling.
What goes well with Spaghetti aglio olio?
Lemon goes really nicely with this pasta dish, so if you like lemony flavors you can serve this dish with slices of lemon and squeeze lemon juice over the top.
Herbs of any sorts: think fresh rosemary, thyme, oregano and of course basil!
Nuts, I especially love pine nuts or walnuts toasted and added to this pasta in olive oil.
If you’re looking to incorporate veggies to your pasta, think of adding roasted mushrooms, blistered tomatoes or broccoli.
I would however avoid them and avoid any ingredient that would take away from the beautiful simple flavors of the dish.
Does Spaghetti aglio e olio have cheese?
Yes, this dish does have parmesan cheese with it and it really makes the dish something special. However, if you don’t like cheese, or don’t want it, you can still enjoy this recipe without the parmesan cheese.
What to serve with spaghetti aglio e olio
You don’t really need to serve anything with this olive oil pasta recipe, however, if you do want something on the side then a lovely fresh salad compliments it perfectly.
If you’re grilling, then grilled chicken, steak or salmon is another great way to serve the pasta.
MOROCCAN OLIVE OIL RECIPES
Labneh Dip with Zaatar Pistachio Mint Olive Topping
Tuna Salad Recipe with Olive Oil Dressing
Grandpa’s famous Hot Pepper Sauce
Baked Salmon With Greek Dressing
Spaghetti aglio e olio - Olive oil pasta
Ingredients
Bread Crumbs:
- 1/4 cup Moroccan olive oil mina’s olive oil
- 3/4 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Pinch chilli flakes
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh basil
Olive Oil Pasta sauce
- 3/4 cup Moroccan Olive Oil mina’s olive Oil
- 8-14 cloves garlic sliced thinly
- 1/2 teaspoon salt and black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon chilli flakes
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh basil leaves
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese freshly grated
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves minced
Assemble:
- 1 pound cooked spaghetti pasta aldente
- Extra olive oil for garnish
- Parmesan cheese for garnishing
- Extra fresh basil and chilli flakes for garnish.
Instructions
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In a deep 9 inch skillet, start by making the breadcrumbs.
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Add the mina olive oil to the skillet over medium heat and then go in with the breadcrumbs and remaining ingredients except for the basil. Toast the bread until it’s nice and golden. This should take around 7 minutes.
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Once the bread crumbs have turned a beautiful golden color, add in the fresh basil and remove from the skillet onto a plate.
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While the same skillet with a kitchen towel and start making the olive oil pasta sauce.
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Over medium heat add the olive oil, garlic and seasoning. Toss for a couple of minutes and then add in the basil and continue cooking until the garlic slices turn a beige or pale yellow color.
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Be careful not to overcook the garlic as it will turn bitter.
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At that point add in the cooked spaghetti and toss it well with the olive oil sauce. Toss in some parmesan cheese and serve right away.
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Top the spaghetti with bread crumbs and any extra garnishes you want. Serve right away and enjoy!!
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
Spaghetti Aglio e Olio Recipe Tips
- Start with quality Olive oil for this dish— remember it’s a pasta in olive oil sauce! I use Mina.
- Make the bread crumb toping! It adds flavor and crunch to the pasta.
- Cook your garlic on a low simmer as high heat will potentially burn the garlic.
- It's best to slice your garlic instead of crushing it as it will cook better in olive oil without turnips bitter.
- Fresh basil and Parmesan are optional, but they add just more flavor and freshness!
- This pasta with olive oil is perfect on its own for lunch or dinner. But it also makes the absolute BEST side dish to any protein!
What goes well with Spaghetti aglio olio?
Lemon goes really nicely with this pasta dish, so if you like lemony flavors you can serve this dish with slices of lemon and squeeze lemon juice over the top.
Herbs of any sorts: think fresh rosemary, thyme, oregano and of course basil!
Nuts, I especially love pine nuts or walnuts toasted and added to this pasta in olive oil.
If you’re looking to incorporate veggies to your pasta, think of adding roasted mushrooms, blistered tomatoes or broccoli.
I would however avoid them and avoid any ingredient that would take away from the beautiful simple flavors of the dish.
Does Spaghetti aglio e olio have cheese?
Yes, this dish does have parmesan cheese with it and it really makes the dish something special. However, if you don't like cheese, or don't want it, you can still enjoy this recipe without the parmesan cheese.
What to serve with spaghetti aglio e olio
You don't really need to serve anything with this olive oil pasta recipe, however, if you do want something on the side then a lovely fresh salad compliments it perfectly.
If you’re grilling, then grilled chicken, steak or salmon is another great way to serve the pasta.
It’s hard to believe something so simple and easy can be so delicious! My go to pasta recipe!
It’s absolutely the definition of delicious simplicity !!
The breadcrumbs on this pasta were amazing! I’m putting this on all of my pastas from now on!!
I’m drooling, your version looks SOO tasty, I want to eat a giant bowl of this pasta right now!!
Am loving the flavors of this olive oil pasta, alongside the crunch from the bread crumbs! My family will love this!
My all-time favourite Italian pasta recipe! Such a simple but tasty dish.