Garlic pasta is a fast escape when there is nothing available in the kitchen, except some spaghetti and some aromas like garlic and chili. This recipe has only three ingredients for the seasoning, it is an “honest” dish that returns exactly what you give it.
If we talk about fast starters, what comes to your mind? Some roasted peppers with feta cheese, the timeless salmon farfalle, or a fried egg sandwich! What if I told you that there is an even faster dish to make. A perfect dinner savior prepared with only a few ingredients: pasta, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, and chili flakes!
The secret to perfect success? The choice of ingredients in the first place, especially with regard to extra virgin olive oil. Then the cooking technique, which involves frying garlic and chili peppers being very careful not to burn them so as not to compromise the final taste. There are those who prefer dried peppers, those who remove the seeds to reduce the spiciness, those who fry the whole garlic to remove it easily, or those who even chop it because they have no problem tasting it. I invite you to try this garlic pasta recipe with chili flakes the way Sicilians cook it!
Ingredients for garlic pasta
Do you have some garlic cloves? Can you find some spaghetti in your kitchen drawers and shelves? You have it all:) This recipe is so easy to make you will not believe it. The garlic pasta requires a minimum of ingredients for a maximum of flavor. The garlic itself is very rich and flavorful, and when combined with extra virgin olive oil, you have a complete, full taste. For this reason, I strongly recommend using high-quality extra virgin olive oil.
To make this pasta dish a true triumph, add the indispensable pasta ingredient – the parmesan. Also, for those who like spicy pasta, don’t forget to add some chili flakes or some fresh chili pepper thinly sliced.
Here is the shortlist of ingredients for a long-time pleasure meal:
- Spaghetti
- 3-4 garlic cloves
- 1/4 tsp chili flakes
- 1/2 cup parmesan
- 1/2 cup chopped parsley, optional
How to cook spaghetti?
Maybe it is obvious and natural for you how to cook spaghetti, but I prefer to recap the essentials. First of all, the most important thing, spaghetti, like any other type of pasta, must be cooked in plenty of water. When the water reaches the boil, salt it and throw the pasta in the boiling salted water.
Another big dilemma is the cooking time. If you are the type who cooks with the watch in hand we advise you to look at the indication on the pasta package since spaghetti is not all the same. You are looking for the “al dente” effect.
When you have decided that the spaghetti is cooked, drain it. The rules prescribe that at this point you must pass them under cold water to stop cooking. However, I never run under cold water, I add them directly to the sauce, this is how they soak in the sauce and its flavors.
Important, whatever your cooking point, if you plan to sauté the spaghetti in a pan, cook them a little less.
How to cook garlic pasta?
While the pasta is getting cooked, get your attention to the garlic oil. Heat up a skillet with 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil. Peel and thinly slice 3-4 cloves of garlic. Add them to the hot oil and let them become slightly golden. Also here, if you like the pasta hot, add the chili flakes and let them open up in the hot oil.
Once you’ve drained the pasta, add it directly to the simmering garlic and mix. Use kitchen thongs to mix well the garlic pasta so as for it to soak in the aromatic oil. Turn off the stove. You may chop some parsley and add it on top. Also, don’t skip the parmesan, be as generous as you want with it.
How to serve the garlic pasta?
Sicilian-style pasta with garlic, extra virgin olive oil, and chili flakes must be prepared and served on the spot. Adjust the chili to your personal taste. Serve the garlic pasta next to a glass of white dry wine. Enjoy
TIP
For those who do not like the strong spicy notes, you can remove the seeds from the fresh or dried chili pepper before using it in the recipe. For the more daring, garlic can also be chopped instead of sliced. Or, fry it whole to remove it more easily.
Garlic Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 3-4 cloves garlic
- 3 tbsp olive oil extra virgin
- 1/2 tsp chili flakes
- 1/2 cup parmesan
- 1/2 cup parsley
Instructions
- Cook the pasta "al dente" according to the package instructions
- Heat up a pan with olive oil
- Peel and slice the cloves of garlic, add them to the hot oil
- Add the chili flakes
- Cook for 2 minutes of medium-low heat or until garlic is golden
- Drain the pasta and add it to the hot garlic oil
- Mix well and serve with parmesan and minced parsley
