Spaghetti Aglio e Olio

Method6 steps · about 20 min

1. 1

   Step 1: Boil a large pot of water and add about 1 tablespoon kosher salt. Add the spaghetti (12 oz) and cook according to its packet until just short of al dente; the source used about 9 minutes. Before draining, set aside 1½ cups of the starchy cooking water. Keep the drained pasta and reserved water separately for steps 4–5.

   Cook pasta · 9 minUses 12 oz spaghetti · about 1 tbsp kosher salt for boiling water · water for boiling spaghetti

2. 2

   Step 2: About 4 minutes after the pasta starts cooking, heat the ½ cup olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Stir in the sliced garlic (8 cloves) and cook for 2–3 minutes until just golden. Reduce the heat as needed; do not let the garlic burn.

   Uses ½ cup extra virgin olive oil · 8 cloves garlic

3. 3

   Step 3: If using, stir the ½ teaspoon chili flakes into the garlicky oil for about 30 seconds. If the pasta is still cooking, take the pan off the heat until it is ready; carry this same oil mixture into the next step.

   Uses same complete cooked garlic and olive oil · ½ tsp red pepper flakes, optional

4. 4

   Step 4: Return the pan of garlicky oil to medium heat if necessary. Whisk in the reserved 1½ cups pasta water from step 1. Simmer until the liquid has reduced by about one third to form the sauce.

   Uses same oil mixture, with or without optional chili · 1½ cups saved pasta cooking water

5. 5

   Step 5: Toss the drained spaghetti from step 1 in the sauce from step 4 until coated and cooked to your liking. Turn off the heat, then stir in the optional ⅓ cup Parmesan and chopped parsley.

   Uses same entire 12 oz dry-pasta batch after boiling · same reduced sauce · ⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese, optional · chopped fresh parsley, optional garnish

6. 6

   Step 6: Rest the coated pasta for about 2 minutes to absorb the sauce. Serve promptly with separately listed extra Parmesan and chili flakes if wanted.

   Rest pasta · 2 minUses same complete cooked pasta · extra grated Parmesan for serving, optional · extra red pepper flakes for serving, optional