Simple Garlic Pasta
Elevate your weeknight dinner game with this *Simple Garlic Pasta* recipe—a quick and flavorful dish that’s bursting with the comforting aroma of garlic and a hint of heat from red chili flakes. Ready in just 25 minutes, this minimalist yet indulgent pasta combines al dente spaghetti with golden, sautéed garlic infused in rich olive oil, accented by fresh parsley and a generous sprinkle of parmesan cheese. Perfect for two, this fuss-free recipe is ideal for busy evenings or impromptu gatherings, offering a restaurant-quality meal with ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen. Serve it as a standalone dish or pair it with a crisp side salad for a satisfying, Italian-inspired experience.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 200 grams spaghetti
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves
- 1 teaspoon red chili flakes
- 30 grams parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain the rest and set the pasta aside.
While the pasta is cooking, peel and finely slice the garlic cloves. Chop the fresh parsley and grate the parmesan cheese.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until golden and fragrant, stirring constantly to avoid burning.
Add the red chili flakes to the skillet and stir for 30 seconds to release their flavor.
Lower the heat to medium-low and add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet. Toss to coat the pasta evenly in the garlic and oil mixture.
Gradually add the reserved pasta water, a little at a time, until the pasta is well coated and the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Toss well to combine.
Remove the skillet from the heat. Add the grated parmesan cheese and chopped parsley, tossing gently to mix.
Serve the garlic pasta immediately, garnished with extra parmesan cheese and parsley if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
406 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 25.6 g | 33% | |
| Saturated Fat | 5.7 g | 29% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 13 mg | 4% | |
| Sodium | 588 mg | 26% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 33.9 g | 12% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.3 g | 8% | |
| Total Sugars | 0.6 g | ||
| Protein | 11.2 g | 22% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 158 mg | 12% | |
| Iron | 1.8 mg | 10% | |
| Potassium | 99 mg | 2% | |
*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.
