Recipe: Classic Spaghetti Aglio e Olio

This is probably the simplest Italian recipe in existence!  Stripped down to the basics of classic Italian food - spaghetti, garlic, and olive oil - this recipe also can serve as the basis for dozens of variations and other delicious Italian recipes.

If you want a bit more substance, try adding grated Italian cheeses, fresh herbs of your choice, or fresh diced ripe tomatoes. If you have more time, or want more variety, add diced cooked chicken, sundried tomatoes, sauteed mushrooms, onions, and/or green or red peppers, or sliced olives - or top with a variety of sauces - your creativity is the only limit to this dish!

Classic Spaghetti Aglio e Olio
(Serves 4-6.)

Ingredients:

Spaghetti all' aglio, olio e peperoncino.(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

1 lb spaghetti
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup good olive oil
4 garlic cloves, grated
*other ingredients optional

Directions:

• Fill a very large pot (an 8 quart pot works best) with water, add the salt, and bring to a boil. (Hint: cover the pot so the water boils sooner.)
• Once the water is boiling, add the spaghetti (leave lid off the pot now), turn heat down to medium-low, and gently cook the spaghetti until just al dente. Read the package directions for guideline. Drain well and put back in pot, cover and keep hot.
• Put the olive oil and garlic in a very large skillet over medium heat and cook, stirring, just until garlic gets golden and fragrant, but not brown or burned - 30-60 seconds should be plenty. 
• Transfer the cooked spaghetti to the skillet and, using a pair of tongs, toss the spaghetti so it gets coated with the aglio e olio (garlic and oil) sauce.
• *You may add other ingredients as you wish, such as herbs, peppers, olives, and/or Parmesan cheese, etc. (Also see suggestions above.)

Video - Authentic Spaghetti Puttanesca Recipe

Here is an excellent short video on how to make an authentic Italian dish - Spaghetti Puttanesca -a simple and marvelous dinner that can be ready in 20 minutes and impress any guest! I love this video - I wish the translator was a bit quieter so you could enjoy the Italian in the background, but it's quite wonderful nonetheless - makes you feel like you're in an old Italian kitchen somewhere in Venice or Rome....

Enjoy! (Or as my Italian grandfather used to say - "Mangia, mangia!")

Spaghetti puttanesca - Original Italian Recipe
An easy Italian recipe for a tasty first course simply made with tomato, anchovy, capers and olives: the spaghetti puttanesca. +++ Hi everyone and welcome to the GialloZafferano kitchen: today we'll be making the spaghetti puttanesca, literally "whor...



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Recipe - Whole-Wheat Pasta with Garbanzo Beans

This deliciously simple Italian recipe is packed with healthy ingredients and fresh flavors. Great for a filling lunch that will keep you going all afternoon, or a light supper, this one takes 30-minutes or less to prepare, and leftovers are even more tasty once the flavors have had time to blend.

Whole-Wheat Pasta with Garbanzo Beans
Image via WikipediaServes 2 - 3

Ingredients:
5 oz small whole-wheat pasta shapes
1 (15oz) can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1 large garlic clove, minced
2 large ripe tomatoes, diced
2 tbsp black olives, pitted and chopped
Handful of fresh basil, torn
2 tbsp Parmesan cheese, grated
Salt and pepper

Instructions:

•  Cook the pasta according to package instructions, drain and set aside.
• In the meantime, heat the olive oil in a large skillet and add the garlic. Sauté for a few minutes, then add the beans. Stir until the beans are heated through. 
• Remove from the heat and mix in the tomatoes, olives and basil. 
• Season with freshly ground pepper and salt. 
• Divide the pasta on dinner plates and serve with the bean/tomato mixture. Sprinkle with cheese and serve immediately.

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