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    Home » Vegetarian Pasta Recipes

    Spaghetti Aglio Olio

    Lindsay Moe

    3356 shares
    pinterest image for spaghetti aglio olio
    pinterest image for spaghetti aglio olio
    pinterest image for spaghetti aglio e olio

    Spaghetti agilo e olio is the easiest pasta dish you’ll ever make! Only 3 ingredients and 15 minutes is all you need to have a delicious vegan dinner. Serve with a salad and garlic bread for a full meal!

    two plates with spaghetti aglio olio
    Jump to Recipe

    I can’t tell you how many times garlic oil pasta has saved me.

    Spaghetti agilo e olio means spaghetti with garlic and oil. This is hands down the easiest, cheapest, fastest meal you could ever make.

    There have been times when I’ve needed to keep my grocery costs way down and this meatless recipe has been there for me. There have also been times when I’ve hardly had the energy to do anything, much less make dinner, and spaghetti aglio olio has been there for me.

    This is a back-pocket, classic, anyone can do it kind of dinner. You’re going to have it memorized in no time!

    While this recipe may look like nothing, the pasta actually gets coated in a thin, creamy sauce thanks to garlic, oil, and a bit of pasta water. Let’s see how to make it!

    Spaghetti aglio olio ingredients

    ingredients for spaghetti aglio olio
    • Spaghetti
    • Olive oil
    • Garlic
    • Salt and Pepper
    • Fresh Italian Parsley (optional)

    How to make spaghetti with garlic and oil

    • Cook pasta according to package directions, reserving ½ cup cooking water
    • Heat oil over medium heat and cook garlic 2 minutes
    • Add pasta and cooking water, tossing to combine
    • Season with salt, pepper, and parsley

    Garlic cooks quickly, and tastes terrible if burned, so make sure you don’t walk away while it’s cooking. You’ll want to stir it almost constantly and have the cooked pasta ready to add once it starts to turn a light, golden brown.

    two blue plates on a wood table with spaghetti aglio e olio

    Tips for customizing

    • Serve alongside (or mixed with) my spinach and white beans for protein and veggies
    • Add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes with the garlic
    • Sprinkle with freshly grated vegetarian parmesan cheese
    • Meat eaters can add cooked chicken, shrimp, or salmon
    • Add a splash of white wine after cooking the garlic for one minute and let it cook off for a minute

    More vegetarian pasta recipes

    • Pesto Linguine with Crispy Balsamic Chickpeas
    • Orecchiette with Spinach and Butter Beans
    • Garlic Broccoli Pasta
    • Roasted Garlic and Tomato Penne
    a fork twirling spaghetti with garlic oil on a blue plate

    If you make this recipe, be sure to rate it, leave a comment, or tag #theliveinkitchen on Instagram!

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    This post was updated in January 2020 with new photos and more helpful information about the recipe.

    Recipe

    a plate of spaghetti with garlic oil

    Spaghetti Aglio Olio

    Al dente pasta in a simple garlic oil. Spaghetti aglio olio is the easiest, cheapest, fastest vegan pasta recipe ever!
    4.75 from 4 votes
    Print Pin Rate SaveSaved!
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 344kcal
    Author: Lindsay Moe

    Ingredients

    • 1 pound spaghetti
    • 3 tablespoons olive oil
    • 3 large garlic cloves, thinly sliced
    • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
    • parsley, chopped (optional)

    Instructions

    • Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Salt the water and cook the pasta according to package directions. Reserve ½ cup of the cooking water and drain.
    • Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic cloves and cook, stirring, until pale blonde, about 2 minutes.
    • Add the pasta and cooking water to the garlic mixture and toss to combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper, garnish with parsley and crushed red pepper flakes if desired.

    Notes

    Adapted from The Joy of Cooking

    Tips for customizing:

    • Serve alongside (or mixed with) my spinach and white beans for protein and veggies
    • Add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes with the garlic
    • Sprinkle with freshly grated vegetarian parmesan cheese
    • Meat eaters can add cooked chicken, shrimp, or salmon
    • Add a splash of white wine after cooking the garlic for one minute and let it cook off for a minute

    Nutrition

    Calories: 344kcal | Carbohydrates: 56g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 4mg | Potassium: 174mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin C: 0.5mg | Calcium: 19mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @theliveinkitchen or tag #theliveinkitchen!

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      Halloumi Carbonara
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      Halloumi Stroganoff
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      Baked Ravioli

    Reader Interactions

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    1. whiness says

      August 11, 2012 at 6:21 am

      It’s one of my favourites. Simple but delicious.

      Reply
    2. Debs @ The Spanish Wok says

      August 11, 2012 at 9:04 am

      Sorry to hear things not so good for you at the moment.

      When I make this I have to have it with chopped chillies too. Delicious.

      You are welcome to join in my monthly food blogger event THE SOUP KITCHEN, here for entry details and current theme. New theme each month. All bloggers are welcome, hope to see you participate soon.

      Reply
      • Dylan says

        June 21, 2021 at 11:45 pm

        Hi, I went to Brazil and ate a Spaghetti and it was floating in an oil. Can someone tell me what you think that oil was please?

        Reply

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    lindsay moe in a kitchen with glasses on shelves behind her

    Hi, I'm Lindsay! I've been creating easily customizable vegetarian recipes since 2011. I love the outdoors, brownies, and brand new books. I live and work in La Crosse, Wisconsin and founded Wild Flour Media to expand on my love for food photography and videography to my community and beyond.

    More about me →

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    3356 shares