More Pasta recipes
When we visited Italy back in 2019, I had seen Aglio e Olio in every restaurant menu. I have even seen small packets of Aglio e Olio seasoning mix being sold in every tourist place that had dried garlic granules, chilli flakes, and herbs. I grabbed a few packets on my way back home. Though these packets are convenient to use, the flavor comes nowhere close to the fresh ingredients. When made from scratch, it takes less than 20 minutes in total. In fact I have read on Instagram that this is popular as a late-night snack option as it is that easy to make. There is tons of garlic(yet not overpowering), high-quality olive oil, and a hint if chilli pepper flakes for heat. Though this recipe has the shortest list of ingredients, for a perfect Aglio e Olio, there are a few tips and tricks that you need to keep in mind.
Add a fillet of anchovy. The salty anchovy adds umami and elevates the dish. Chop it small and add before adding pasta. Let it melt into the sauce. You can add fresh lemon zest for a twist. Last but not least, you can add a few veggies like spinach, kale, zucchini etc. Instead of parmesan, top it with toasted garlic breadcrumbs. Crunchy breadcrumbs will complement the pasta well.
Reserved pasta water for the sauce –
The starchy pasta water is the magic ingredient that thickens the sauce. Just before draining the pasta, reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water.
Infuse Oil with garlic and chilli flakes-
While pasta is cooking, mince garlic, add minced garlic in barely warm oil, and cook it on the lowest possible heat. You can take the pan off the heat in between to control the heat. Once the oil is aromatic, add chilli flakes. Let the chilli flakes infuse on low heat. The last optional step is to sprinkle freshly shredded cheese and chopped parsley to finish of the dish. Italian Parmesan chicken or Airfryer chicken breast, both with a crispy crust can also be served with Aglio e olio to make a complete meal. Storing – Because there is no cream, butter or cheese sauce, its stores perfectly well up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. While reheating, sprinkle little water and microwave to warm it.
