**Aglio e Olio: A Simple Yet Flavorful Italian Pasta Dish**
Aglio e olio (pronounced "ahl-yo eh oh-lee-oh") is a classic Italian pasta dish that is made with just a few simple ingredients: garlic, olive oil, red pepper flakes, and parsley. Despite its simplicity, aglio e olio is a delicious and flavorful dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. This article provides two recipes for aglio e olio: a traditional recipe and a vegetarian recipe. The traditional recipe uses pancetta or guanciale, while the vegetarian recipe uses mushrooms instead. Both recipes are easy to follow and can be made in under 30 minutes.
**Traditional Aglio e Olio Recipe:**
This recipe uses pancetta or guanciale, which adds a smoky and savory flavor to the dish. The pancetta or guanciale is cooked until crispy, then the garlic and red pepper flakes are added and cooked until fragrant. The pasta is then added and cooked until al dente. Finally, the parsley is added and the dish is served immediately.
**Vegetarian Aglio e Olio Recipe:**
This recipe uses mushrooms instead of pancetta or guanciale. The mushrooms are cooked until softened, then the garlic and red pepper flakes are added and cooked until fragrant. The pasta is then added and cooked until al dente. Finally, the parsley is added and the dish is served immediately.
Both recipes are delicious and easy to make. They are perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal.
SPAGHETTI AGLIO E OLIO
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add 2 tablespoons of salt and the pasta and cook according to the directions on the package. Set aside 1 1/2 cups of the pasta cooking water before you drain the pasta.
- Meanwhile, heat the olive oil over medium heat in a pot large enough to hold the pasta, such as a 12-inch saute pan or a large, shallow pot. Add the garlic and cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently, until it just begins to turn golden on the edges-don't overcook it! Add the red pepper flakes and cook for 30 seconds more. Carefully add the reserved pasta-cooking water to the garlic and oil and bring to a boil. Lower the heat, add 1 teaspoon of salt, and simmer for about 5 minutes, until the liquid is reduced by about a third.
- Add the drained pasta to the garlic sauce and toss. Off the heat, add the parsley and Parmesan and toss well. Allow the pasta to rest off the heat for 5 minutes for the sauce to be absorbed. Taste for seasoning and serve warm with extra Parmesan on the side.
SPAGHETTI AGLIO E OLIO
No two spaghetti aglio e olio recipes are alike, but this one is pretty true to the classic method. The key is slowly toasting the garlic slices to a perfect golden-brown in the olive oil. If it's too light, you don't get the full flavor and if it's too dark it gets bitter. My advice? Do it perfectly.
Provided by Chef John
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Italian
Time 32m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through but firm to the bite, about 12 minutes. Drain and transfer to a pasta bowl.
- Combine garlic and olive oil in a cold skillet. Cook over medium heat to slowly toast garlic, about 10 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low when olive oil begins to bubble. Cook and stir until garlic is golden brown, about another 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Stir red pepper flakes, black pepper, and salt into the pasta. Pour in olive oil and garlic, and sprinkle on Italian parsley and half of the Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese; stir until combined.
- Serve pasta topped with the remaining Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 754.6 calories, Carbohydrate 87.4 g, Cholesterol 17.6 mg, Fat 34.5 g, Fiber 3.9 g, Protein 22.9 g, SaturatedFat 7.5 g, Sodium 354.8 mg, Sugar 3.3 g
Tips for Making Authentic Aglio e Olio
- **Use high-quality ingredients.** The better the quality of your ingredients, the better your aglio e olio will taste. Use fresh garlic and olive oil, and make sure your pasta is fresh or dried. - **Don't overcrowd the pan.** When you add the pasta to the pan, make sure there is enough room for it to move around freely. If the pan is too crowded, the pasta will not cook evenly. - **Cook the pasta al dente.** Al dente means "to the tooth" in Italian, and it refers to the texture of pasta that is cooked through but still has a slight bite to it. This is the ideal texture for aglio e olio. - **Don't be afraid to add more garlic.** Garlic is the star of the show in aglio e olio, so don't be afraid to add more than you think you need. Just be sure to mince it finely so that it disperses evenly throughout the dish. - **Add some red pepper flakes for a little spice.** Red pepper flakes are a great way to add a little spice to your aglio e olio. Just be sure to add them to taste, as they can quickly overpower the dish. - **Serve immediately.** Aglio e olio is best served immediately after it is made. This is when the pasta is at its most flavorful and the sauce is at its most vibrant. ###Conclusion
Aglio e olio is a simple but delicious pasta dish that is perfect for any occasion. It is quick and easy to make, and it is sure to please everyone at your table. So next time you're looking for a delicious and easy pasta dish, give aglio e olio a try. You won't be disappointed.
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