Olive Oil Garlic and Crushed Red Pepper Pasta Sauce
Elevate your pasta night with this Olive Oil Garlic and Crushed Red Pepper Pasta Sauce, a simple yet flavorful recipe that embodies the essence of Italian home cooking. This quick 20-minute sauce combines fragrant garlic, rich extra virgin olive oil, and a kick of crushed red pepper flakes to create a delicate balance of savory and spicy. A splash of starchy pasta water transforms these humble ingredients into a silky, restaurant-worthy sauce that clings perfectly to your favorite pasta. Customize it with freshly chopped parsley and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese for added brightness and depth. Perfect for busy weeknights or casual entertaining, this light and satisfying dish highlights bold, fresh flavors with minimal effort.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 0.25 cup Extra virgin olive oil
- 6 pieces Garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon Crushed red pepper flakes
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.25 teaspoon Freshly ground black pepper
- 0.5 cup Pasta water
- 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
- 0.25 cup Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook your favorite pasta according to package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add the sliced garlic to the skillet and cook, stirring frequently, for about 2-3 minutes, or until the garlic turns golden and fragrant. Be careful not to burn it.
Stir in the crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Cook for an additional 30 seconds to let the spices bloom.
Lower the heat to medium-low and carefully add ½ cup of reserved pasta water to the skillet. Stir well to combine the garlic and spicy oil with the water, creating a simple yet rich sauce.
Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss to coat the noodles evenly in the sauce.
If desired, sprinkle freshly chopped parsley and grated Parmesan cheese over the pasta for added flavor.
Serve immediately and enjoy a light, slightly spicy pasta dish that's beautifully simple and satisfying.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
700 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 67.9 g | 87% | |
| Saturated Fat | 15.3 g | 76% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 15 mg | 5% | |
| Sodium | 1562 mg | 68% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 9.2 g | 3% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.1 g | 4% | |
| Total Sugars | 0.6 g | ||
| Protein | 16.0 g | 32% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.4 mcg | 2% | |
| Calcium | 468 mg | 36% | |
| Iron | 1.2 mg | 7% | |
| Potassium | 226 mg | 5% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
