Garlic Spaghetti

Known as aglio e olio in Italian, this simple pasta dish uses fresh herbs, salt and pepper, and plenty of oil, garlic and parsley to achieve maximum flavor. The whole dish will come together in the time it takes to cook spaghetti, so dinner couldn’t be much easier.

This garlic olive oil pasta is a dish that just about everyone will love. It can be dressed up and customized in so many ways, too. Learn how to make the base recipe for spaghetti aglio e olio, then explore variations to make this recipe your own.

Garlic Spaghetti Ingredients

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• Spaghetti: Use one pound of spaghetti noodles, cooked as per the instructions on the package.
• Garlic cloves: You’ll be using a lot of peeled garlic here: 10 cloves, minced.
• Olive oil: Be generous with that 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil.
• Parsley: You want an entire 1/4 cup of fresh parsley for this recipe.
• Oregano: Use 2 tablespoons of fresh oregano or 2 teaspoons of the dried herb.
• Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan cheese tastes best in this dish. It will melt and adhere to the pasta nicely, too.

Directions

Step 1: Cook the pasta and garlic

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Cook the spaghetti according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a skillet over low heat, cook the garlic in the oil until it’s lightly browned. Then, remove the garlic from the heat and stir in the parsley, oregano, salt and pepper.

Step 2: Toss the garlic and spaghetti

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Drain the spaghetti and put the noodles in a large bowl. Add the garlic mixture and Parmesan cheese and toss to coat.

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Garlic Spaghetti Variations

• Make it a seafood dish: This recipe serves as a great base for so many dishes. In fact, this garlic spaghetti is commonly paired with clams, which go so well with garlic. You could also add shrimp, mussels, lobster and more.
• Give it a kick: To kick up the heat and add a pop of color, turn this dish into a true spaghetti aglio e olio with a dash of red pepper flakes.
• Use a different pasta: You can follow this same recipe with myriad different pasta shapes, from linguini to penne or farfalle.

How to Store Garlic Spaghetti

If stored properly, garlic spaghetti will last three to four days in the refrigerator. Simply place it in an airtight container. To reheat, put leftovers in a pan with a splash of broth and a dash of oil.

Can you freeze this spaghetti dish?

You can freeze garlic spaghetti in an airtight container or heavy-duty freezer bag for up to three months. Let it thaw in the fridge before reheating.

Garlic Spaghetti Tips

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What do you serve with garlic spaghetti?

Round out the meal with crusty bread (or garlic bread for even more garlicky flavor!) and a side salad, or any combination of Italian side dishes.

What kind of olive oil should I use to make garlic spaghetti?

Extra virgin olive oil will give the best results in this spaghetti. It will absorb the flavor of the garlic and create the rich sauce we’re looking for in this dish. Our Test Kitchen selected the best olive oil brands, if you need a recommendation. 

How salty should pasta water be?

It should taste a bit less salty than seawater, with enough salt to taste briny but not so salty that it’s overpowering. Many chefs recommend adding 1 tablespoon of salt per 4 quarts of water for every pound of pasta.