garlic oil pasta recipe

garlic oil pasta recipe

The Best garlic oil pasta recipe

I’m so excited to share with you one of my family’s favorite recipes: garlic oil pasta. This dish has been a staple in our household for years, and for good reason. It’s incredibly easy to make, and the flavors are just perfect. My kids love helping me make it, and I love serving it up to them on a weeknight or for a special occasion. The best part is that it’s incredibly versatile – you can add in your favorite vegetables, meats, or herbs to make it your own.

And let’s be real, who doesn’t love a good carb load every now and then? In this recipe, I’ll be sharing my secrets for making the perfect garlic oil pasta at home. It’s a game-changer, trust me. As an Italian-American, I’ve grown up with pasta as a staple in my diet. And let me tell you, there’s nothing quite like a well-made plate of spaghetti or fettuccine to satisfy my cravings.

But when I’m short on time (which is often!) , garlic oil pasta is the perfect solution. It’s quick, easy, and packs a punch of flavor that’ll keep you coming back for more. So where did this recipe come from? Well, I learned it from my mother-in-law, who learned it from her mother – a true Italian nonna!

She taught me the secret to making garlic oil from scratch (hint: it involves using high-quality olive oil and letting it sit for at least 24 hours), and I’ve been hooked ever since. There’s something magical about the combination of garlic, olive oil, and pasta that just works. Now I know what you’re thinking: ‘Isn’t garlic oil pasta just… basic?’ And to that, I say…

guilty as charged! But here’s the thing: this recipe isn’t just about throwing some garlic and oil on top of pasta – it’s about technique. You see, the key is in how you cook the pasta itself (al dente is key!) , how you make the garlic oil (trust me when I say this is crucial), and how you combine everything together at the end. It may seem simple, but trust me when I say that this recipe requires finesse.

One more thing before we dive into the recipe: have you ever noticed how much healthier pasta can be when made with whole wheat? Ah yes! My kids are always begging me to use regular white pasta (it’s what they’re used to!) , but honestly? The whole wheat version is so much better for us all around.

Garlic Oil Pasta

Garlic Oil Pasta

4.5 from 1761 votes

A simple and delicious garlic oil pasta recipe that is quick and easy to prepare. This dish is perfect for a weeknight dinner and can be customized with your favorite vegetables or proteins.

Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time15 mins
Resting Time0 mins
Total Time25 mins
Servings: 4Cuisine: InternationalCalories: 350 kcal

🥘Ingredients

Pasta

12 oz spaghetti

Garlic Oil

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
6 cloves garlic, minced

Seasoning

1 tsp red pepper flakes
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper

Garnish

2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

👨‍🍳Directions

1Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat.
2Add the spaghetti and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes.
3Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.
4While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
5Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, then cook until the garlic is fragrant and lightly golden, about 2-3 minutes.
6Be careful not to burn the garlic as it can become bitter.
7Once the garlic is cooked, remove the skillet from the heat and season with salt and black pepper.
8Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing to coat evenly in the garlic oil.
9If the pasta is too dry, add some of the reserved pasta water to help loosen it up.
10Garnish the garlic oil pasta with chopped fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese.
11Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious meal.

🔧Equipment

Large pot
Colander
Large skillet

📊Nutrition Facts (per serving)

🔥Calories: 350 kcal🧈Total Fat: 18g💛Saturated Fat: 3g❤️Cholesterol: 5mg🧂Sodium: 1200mg🌾Total Carbs: 40g🥦Dietary Fiber: 3g🍬Sugars: 2g🥩Protein: 10g

📝Notes

Tips: For added flavor, you can sauté some vegetables like spinach or mushrooms in the garlic oil before adding the pasta.

This garlic oil pasta recipe is truly one of our family’s favorites – and now that you’ve got the secrets down pat (or maybe not?) , we’d love to hear from you!

Have any tips or tricks to share? What are some variations on this recipe that have worked well for you?

Let us know in the comments below! One last note before we wrap up: because we all know that leftovers are basically free food at this point , don’t forget to store your leftover garlic oil in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days – or freeze it for up to 2 months if you won’t be using it within that timeframe!

❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Garlic Oil Pasta

Q: What type of pasta should I use for this recipe?

You can use any type of long-strand pasta for this recipe – spaghetti, fettuccine, linguine… really anything works!

Q: Can I add other ingredients besides garlic to my garlic oil?

Of course! Some people swear by adding lemon juice or zest to their garlic oil for an extra burst of flavor.

Q: Is this recipe gluten-free?

Yes – if you’re using gluten-free pasta (and many brands are now making great options), then this recipe is entirely gluten-free!

Q: How long should I let my garlic oil sit before using it?

I like to let mine sit for at least 24 hours – sometimes even longer if I have the time!

Q: Can I substitute olive oil with another type of oil?

Nope! While some people may experiment with other oils (like avocado or grapeseed), traditional Italian cooking calls for olive oil exclusively.

Q: What if I don’t have any fresh parsley on hand?

No worries! You can easily substitute dried parsley flakes in its place.

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