on Apr 28, 2019, Updated Jan 12, 2024
Sometimes the simplest of things are the best and this Pasta Aglio E Olio is the best pasta you can ever make. The best part is that it needs only 2-3 ingredients to pull it together. I made it for dinner yesterday and the pan was mopped clean in no time. Do try it at home and let me know how it turned out.
About This Recipe
It is a simple pasta dish from Naples region in Italy where Spaghetti pasta is sautéed in olive oil and garlic. It is very lightly flavored with red chilli flakes and herbs like parsley. You can add some grated Parmesan Cheese to your pasta if you wish to. I always add some cheese because I just love that umami in my pasta.
How to pronounce it?
Check this link to learn to pronounce Pasta Aglio e Olio.
Process
To make Garlic Shrimp Pasta Aglio Olio, heat water in a large pot. Bring the water to a boil and add salt to it. Add pasta in the salted water and cook till Al Dente. Reserve ½ cup cooking water and drain the rest. Heat extra virgin olive oil in a pan on high heat. Add the garlic and fry until lightly browned. Add shrimps and crushed red pepper flakes and the reserved water. Now add the cooked pasta and parsley and toss well. Remove the pan from heat and add the grated Parmesan cheese if you wish to. And the pasta is ready to serve. Easy right?
Pro Tips by Neha
Use the water from boiling the pasta to thin the sauce. It has starch from the pasta and adds on to the flavor and texture. Adding parmesan is optional. In fact, it’s not added traditionally. So skip it you want a lighter version. I personally love it in my recipe and so never skip it. This recipe uses just 2-3 ingredients, so make sure they are the best. It will make a difference in the taste. Ideally, pasta should be cooked Al Dente which means it is still firm when bitten. However, I like my pasta slightly overcooked. I cook it for an extra minute to suit my taste. Make the pasta just before you want to serve it. This recipe tastes best when served immediately.
Variations
Add crispy Bacon to the pasta instead of Shrimp to make Bacon Pasta Aglio E Olio. You can add spring onion greens to the pasta instead of parsley for a different flavor. Add vegetables like broccoli, zucchini, fennel, mushroom, asparagus, or meats like chicken, shrimps, fish, etc to this pasta. To add a nice crunch in the pasta, you can add roasted nuts like hazelnut, pine nut, walnuts, or pecans. To make it with chicken, use boiled and shredded chicken. You can shredded grilled chicken too. Kale also goes very well in this pasta. Blanch the kale before adding it in the oil.
How to make Olio e Peperoncino?
Peperoncino means red pepper in Italian. You can add some chopped hot red peppers along with garlic for a spicy kick. “Peperoncino (Italian: [peperonˈtʃiːno]; plural peperoncini [-ni]; sometimes spelled pepperoncino or pepperoncini in English) is the generic Italian name for hot chilli peppers, specifically the cultivars of the species Capsicum annuum and Capsicum frutescens. The sweet pepper is called peperone (plural peperoni) in Italian.” – Source
How to make Aglio Olio e Pangrattato?
Pangrattato is Italian for Breadcrumbs. You can make a variation of this pasta by topping it with breadcrumbs just before serving. Make flavored breadcrumbs like lemon or parsley for added flavor. You might also like Spicy Lemon Garlic Baked Tilapia Persian Saffron Rice
Step by Step Recipe
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add 2 tablespoon salt to it. When the water, starts to boil, add pasta to it and cook until the pasta is just cooked.
While the pasta is cooking, heat Extra Virgin Olive oil in a pan.
Add garlic and saute for 30 seconds.
Add shrimps and red chilli flakes and cook for 30 seconds.
Now add ¼ cup of water from the boiling pasta in the pan and cook for another 2 minutes.
Drain the spaghetti and add it in the pan along with parsley and toss well.
Remove the pan from heat and add the parmesan cheese. Serve hot.
