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Home » Recipes » Pasta Recipes

Pasta with Olive Oil and Garlic (pasta aglio e olio)

Published: Aug 6, 2023 · Modified: Aug 27, 2023 by Chef Dennis Littley

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Pasta with olive oil and garlic is a simple yet elegant pasta dish that uses simple ingredients to make. And the best part is this Classic Italian dish can be on your dinner table in 10 – 12 minutes.

pasta with olive oil and garlic in a white bowl (pasta aglio e olio).


 

Pasta with olive oil and garlic is packed with flavor and makes a delicious side dish or add a salad and crusty bread to make a perfect light dinner. I promise you’ll love this simple garlic and olive oil pasta, and

For variety add your favorite vegetables or protein to the olive oil sauce making it a heartier meal.

If you love easy and simple pasta dishes, make sure to try my Pasta Napoletana.

Table of Contents:
  • Ingredients for Pasta with Olive Oil and Garlic
  • How to make Pasta with Olive Oil and Garlic
  • Recipe FAQ’s
  • More Recipes You’ll Love!
  • Recipe: Pasta with Olive Oil and Garlic

Ingredients for Pasta with Olive Oil and Garlic

Ingredients to make recipe.

Let’s start by gathering the ingredients we need to make Pasta with Olive Oil and Garlic (pasta aglio e olio). In Chef Speak, this is called the “Mise en Place,” which translates to “Everything in its Place.”

Not only does setting up your ingredients ahead of time speed up the cooking process, it also helps ensure you have everything you need to make the dish.

Made with pantry staples

  • Linguine (or spaghetti, angel hair pasta, bucatini, or penne)
  • Extra virgin olive oil (good quality)
  • Fresh garlic
  • Italian parsley
  • Red pepper flakes
  • Table salt
  • Black pepper
  • Grated Pecorino Romano cheese (or parmesan cheese)

How to make Pasta with Olive Oil and Garlic

  • Bring a large pot of water (salted) to the boil and add the linguine (or pasta shape of your choice) Cook the pasta per package instructions for al dente. While the pasta cooks, start making the olive oil pasta sauce.
  • When you drain the linguine, make sure to reserve ½ cup of pasta water.
collage showing how to make recipe
  • Add the olive oil to a large skillet over medium to medium-low heat.
  • When the oil is hot add the chopped garlic and red pepper flakes and saute for 1-2 minutes until the garlic is fragrant. *Don’t let the garlic turn brown or burn, it should be a pale golden color.
  • Add two tablespoons of the chopped parsley to the pan and continue to cook for 30-60 seconds. Set the pan aside until the linguine is cooked.
  • Add the cooked pasta to the frying pan, and mix using tongs, coating the pasta with the garlic oil mixture.
pasta in pan with additional parsley and pasta water.
  • Add the pasta water to the linguine, using as much as you feel necessary to get the desired consistency. The starchy pasta water will add flavor and combine with the oil to make a silky smooth garlic sauce.
  • Add the remaining fresh parsley, black pepper, and salt to the linguine, seasoning to taste.
  • Toss the pasta and heat for one minute over medium high heat or until the pasta and sauce is hot.
pasta with olive oil and garlic in a white bowl (pasta aglio e olio).

Serve the pasta with grated cheese, crushed red pepper, and additional olive oil for drizzling over the pasta.

Spaghetti Aglio e olio (garlic and olive oil) is a simple dish your whole family will love. Store any leftover pasta in an airtight container in the fridge and reheat in a frying pan over medium heat, adding additional olive oil or water to the pan.

Recipe FAQ’s

What type of pasta works best with olive and garlic sauce?

You can use any type of pasta you prefer, spaghetti, linguine, bucatini, penne, and angel hair are good choices. For the best results choose a shape that holds the sauce well.

Can I add other ingredients to the sauce?

Absolutely! You can add sautéed vegetables like cherry tomatoes, spinach, or mushrooms. You can also add anchovies or capers for a briny taste.
You can add your favorite vegetable or protein to make this dish more filling. Just make sure to increase the amount of sauce ingredients.

More Recipes You’ll Love!

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    Easy Cacio e Pepe Recipe
  • pasta e piselli (pasta with peas) in a white bowl.
    Pasta e Piselli (Pasta with Peas)
  • pasta topped with caponata
    Pasta alla Caponata
  • overhead partial view of pasta puttanesca in a white bowl
    Authentic Pasta Puttanesca Recipe

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pasta with olive oil and garlic in a white bowl (pasta aglio e olio).

Pasta with Olive Oil and Garlic

Chef Dennis Littley
Pasta with olive oil and garlic is a simple yet elegant pasta dish that uses simple pantry ingredients to make. And the best part is this simple Classic Italian pasta dish can be on your dinner table in 10 – 12 minutes.
5 from 39 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 11 minutes mins
Total Time 16 minutes mins
Course Entree, pasta course, Side Dish
Cuisine Italian, Italian – American
Servings 4
Calories 696 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb linguine or pasta shape of your choice
  • ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoon garlic cloves finely chopped – more or less to taste
  • 3 tablespoon fresh Italian parsley coarsely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes more or less to taste
  • ¼ cup romano cheese grated (or parmesan cheese)
  • 1 teaspoon salt to taste
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper to taste
  • ½ cup pasta water from cooked pasta

Instructions
 

  • Bring a large pot of water (salted) to the boil and add the linguine (or pasta shape of your choice) Cook the pasta per package instructions for al dente.
    While the pasta cooks, start making the olive oil pasta sauce.
  • When you drain the linguine, make sure to reserve ½ cup of pasta water
  • Add the olive oil to a large skillet over medium to medium-low heat.
  • When the oil is hot add the chopped garlic and red pepper flakes and saute for 1-2 minutes until the garlic is fragrant.
    *Don't let the garlic turn brown or burn, it should be a pale golden color.
  • Add two tablespoons of the chopped parsley to the pan and continue to cook for 30-60 seconds.
    Set the pan aside until the linguine is cooked.
  • Add the cooked pasta to the frying pan, and mix using tongs, coating the pasta with the garlic oil mixture.
  • Add the pasta water to the linguine, using as much as you feel necessary to get the desired consistency. The starchy pasta water will add flavor and combine with the oil to make a silky smooth garlic sauce
  • Add the remaining parsley, black pepper, and salt to the linguine, seasoning to taste.
  • Toss the pasta and heat for one minute over medium high heat or until the pasta and sauce is hot
  • Serve the pasta with grated cheese, crushed red pepper, and additional olive oil for drizzling over the pasta.
  • Store any leftover pasta in an airtight container in the fridge and reheat in a frying pan over medium heat, adding additional olive oil or water to the pan.

Notes

What type of pasta works best with olive and garlic sauce?
You can use any type of pasta you prefer, spaghetti, linguine, bucatini, penne, and angel hair are good choices. For the best results choose a shape that holds the sauce well.
Can I add other ingredients to the sauce?
Absolutely! You can add sautéed vegetables like cherry tomatoes, spinach, or mushrooms. You can also add anchovies or capers for a briny taste.
You can add your favorite vegetable or protein to make this dish more filling. Just make sure to increase the amount of sauce ingredients.

Nutrition

Calories: 696kcalCarbohydrates: 87gProtein: 17gFat: 31gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 20gCholesterol: 7mgSodium: 675mgPotassium: 312mgFiber: 4gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 429IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 109mgIron: 2mg
Tried this recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @askchefdennis or tag #askchefdennis!

Comments

    5 from 39 votes (29 ratings without comment)

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Lynne Brokaw says

    February 24, 2025 at 9:05 pm

    5 stars
    This was Delicious! My father-in-law used to make a version of this for my husband and I was never able to come close to his until now.

    I’m in love!

    Reply
    • Chef Dennis Littley says

      February 25, 2025 at 8:05 am

      Thank you for taking the time to let me know you enjoyed my garlic sauce! It was always a big hit in my restaurant days. I have lots of delicious pasta recipes, I hope you get to try more.

      Reply
  2. Sherry says

    July 29, 2024 at 4:51 pm

    5 stars
    Deliziosa!

    Reply
    • Chef Dennis Littley says

      July 29, 2024 at 6:10 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  3. Shery Sullivan says

    October 07, 2023 at 12:27 pm

    5 stars
    We had this a lot when I was a kid. Now mines never as good as my mom’s was. Now it can be. Thank you, Chef

    Reply
  4. Dee says

    September 25, 2023 at 11:39 am

    5 stars
    I love a good simple classic dish. This pasta came together so quickly and was packed with yummy flavor.

    Reply
  5. Mindy says

    September 25, 2023 at 11:03 am

    5 stars
    So simple yet so flavorful! I feel like I’m back vacationing in Italy!

    Reply
  6. Sandhya Ramakrishnan says

    September 25, 2023 at 7:54 am

    5 stars
    My son absolutely loved this simple pasta recipe. I had a lot of cherry tomatoes from the garden and I added it to the pasta. It was such an easy recipe not loaded with flavors!

    Reply
  7. Moop Brown says

    September 25, 2023 at 12:45 am

    I appreciate how simple and easy to make this recipe is. Seems like a dish everyone will enjoy!

    Reply
  8. Claire says

    September 25, 2023 at 12:26 am

    5 stars
    This garlic pasta was pure garlicky perfection! It was so easy to make and we loved all the herbs and cheesy goodness. We’ll definitely be making this again.

    Reply
  9. Ann says

    September 24, 2023 at 8:49 pm

    5 stars
    I loved how quick this recipe came from start to finish. A great option for a busy weeknight meal.

    Reply
  10. Carrie Robinson says

    September 23, 2023 at 7:36 pm

    This is such a classic pasta dish! And I love how delicioius and easy it is to make too. 🙂 Perfect for when you are short on time.

    Reply
  11. Katie Crenshaw says

    September 23, 2023 at 1:11 pm

    5 stars
    Such a simple and easy pasta dish that turns out DELICIOUS! The whole family loves this one.

    Reply
  12. Gloria says

    September 18, 2023 at 9:39 am

    5 stars
    Just the way I like my pasta. Simple flavours, and not covered in meat sauce. This is my kind of dinner.

    Reply

My name is Chef Dennis Littley, creator and owner of Ask Chef Dennis Productions. As a classically trained chef with 40+ years of experience in the kitchen, I share my time-tested recipes, knowledge, and chef tips to help you create easy-to-make restaurant-quality meals in your home kitchen.

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