A simple and delicious dish that is fairly easy to cook is spaghetti aglio e olio, which translates to "spaghetti with garlic and oil" in Italian. Here's a basic recipe to get you started:
Ingredients:
- 8 ounces (225 grams) of spaghetti
- 4 cloves of garlic, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) of extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- Chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions:
Cook the spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving about 1/4 cup (60 ml) of the pasta water.
Sauté the garlic: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced garlic and red pepper flakes, and sauté until the garlic turns golden brown and becomes fragrant, about 2-3 minutes. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
Combine the spaghetti and garlic oil: Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet with the garlic oil. Toss the pasta gently to coat it evenly with the oil. If the pasta seems dry, add a little bit of the reserved pasta water to moisten it. Season with salt to taste.
Serve and garnish: Transfer the spaghetti aglio e olio to serving plates. If desired, sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley over the top for added flavor and presentation.
This dish is quick to prepare and requires just a few simple ingredients. It's a classic Italian pasta dish that is full of flavor and perfect for a satisfying meal.