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A single plate of spaghetti aglio e olio with lemon slices on the side and some fresh basil leaves

Spaghetti aglio e olio - Olive oil pasta

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 olive oil, basil and Parmesan.
Course Main Course, Main Dish, Pasta, Side Dish
Cuisine American, Italian, Mediterranean
Keyword How to cook spaghetti squash, Moroccan olive oil, olive oil, olive oil pasta, olive oil sauce, pasta with olive oil, spaghetti aglio e olio, spaghetti recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 500 kcal
Author Mahy

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

  1. In a deep 9 inch skillet, start by making the breadcrumbs.
    bread crumbs in a skillet with some olive ready to toast
  2. 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.
    A spatula tossing the bread crumbs in a skillet until toasty and ready
  3. Once the bread crumbs have turned a beautiful golden color, add in the fresh basil and remove from the skillet onto a plate.
    Bread crumbs in a bowl golden and toasted already ready to cool for the pasta
  4. While the same skillet with a kitchen towel and start making the olive oil pasta sauce.
    A hand holding the sliced garlic over a skillet of olive oil
  5. 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.
  6. Be careful not to overcook the garlic as it will turn bitter.
    Garlic slices sizzling in olive oil with salt and chilli flakes in a skillet making the olive oil pasta sauce
  7. 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.
    cooked spaghetti being added to the olive oil skillet once the garlic and olive oil sauce is ready
  8. Top the spaghetti with bread crumbs and any extra garnishes you want. Serve right away and enjoy!!
    A fork swirling the spaghetti with olive oil sauce in a bowl

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

Spaghetti Aglio e Olio Recipe Tips

  1. Start with quality Olive oil for this dish— remember it’s a pasta in olive oil sauce! I use Mina.
  2. Make the bread crumb toping! It adds flavor and crunch to the pasta.
  3. Cook your garlic on a low simmer as high heat will potentially burn the garlic.
  4. It's best to slice your garlic instead of crushing it as it will cook better in olive oil without turnips bitter.
  5. Fresh basil and Parmesan are optional, but they add just more flavor and freshness!
  6. 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.

Nutrition Facts
Spaghetti aglio e olio - Olive oil pasta
Amount Per Serving
Calories 500 Calories from Fat 531
% Daily Value*
Fat 59g91%
Saturated Fat 6g38%
Polyunsaturated Fat 6g
Monounsaturated Fat 41g
Cholesterol 9mg3%
Sodium 724mg31%
Potassium 119mg3%
Carbohydrates 35g12%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 2g2%
Protein 13g26%
Vitamin A 293IU6%
Vitamin C 2mg2%
Calcium 194mg19%
Iron 3mg17%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.