A side dish recipe worthy of any Italian kitchen, Pasta with Garlic and Olive Oil is a simple recipe with the aroma of garlic fried in olive oil and a touch of red chili pepper flakes.
This is a simple homemade pasta dish that is budget friendly and satisfying. Easy to make on those nights when you need a last minute dish to go with your main protein.
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❤️ Why you'll love it
✔️ The garlic olive oil is a fragrant dish bursting with flavors and just a touch of heat.
✔️ It is an easy pasta recipe without red sauce, putting variety into your pasta recipes.
✔️ It can easily become a main dish by adding cooked chicken or shrimp along with some fresh spinach and tomatoes!
🥘 Ingredients
Extra virgin olive oil
Garlic cloves
Crushed red pepper flakes
Bow tie pasta
Fresh parsley leaves
Freshly grated parmesan cheese
🔪 Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Cook the pasta until it is al dente.
- In a large skillet over medium-low heat, add the oil, garlic, chili flakes, and a pinch of salt and bring the garlic to a sizzle. Shaking the skillet occasionally, cooking for 3 minutes, until the garlic just until it turns golden. Turn off the heat if the pasta is still cooking.
- When the pasta is done, drain it, reserving a bit of the pasta water. Reheat the garlic and oil mixture briefly if necessary.
- Dress the pasta with the olive oil garlic sauce, adding a little more oil or some of the cooking water if it seems dry. Adjust the seasoning if needed, then toss with parsley and sprinkle with fresh parmesan cheese. (if using)
🥄 Equipment
Large pot
Strainer
Tongs
🥫Storage
Store leftover pasta in the refrigerator up to 5 days.
📖 Variations
- Use your favorite pasta, spaghetti or linguini works great in this recipe also
- Toss the pasta with garlic and oil and broccoli.
- Substitute browned butter for the olive oil.
- Stir a tablespoon of butter into the sauce for a creamy olive oil pasta sauce.
- Add 1 cup of halved cherry tomatoes for pasta with olive oil and tomatoes.
💭 Tips
- Use a good quality extra virgin olive oil as this is being used as part of the sauce.
📚 Related Recipes
If your looking for a protein packed meal, try these Chicken Tenders in Garlic Tomato Sauce.
Seafood is the star of this Peppery Shrimp Linguine.
Shrimp with Spinach and Pasta is a healthier version made with low carb pasta.
If creamy pasta is what you crave, try this Creamy Chicken Linguine.
For a spicy treat, try this Shrimp Fra Diavolo.
🍽 Serve with…
This recipe serves 8 as a side dish, but can be served as a main dish for 4 people by adding 1 pound of your preferred cooked protein. Shrimp, chicken, scallops are excellent additions
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If you love this recipe, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating
📖 Recipe
Pasta with Garlic and Olive Oil
Ingredients
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 pound dry spaghetti
- ½ cup chopped fresh parsley leaves , optional
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Cook the pasta until it is al dente according to package instructions.
- In a large skillet over medium-low heat, add the oil, garlic, chili flakes, and a pinch of salt and bring the garlic to a sizzle. Shaking the skillet occasionally, cooking for 3 minutes, until the garlic just until it turns golden. Turn off the heat if the pasta is still cooking.
- When the pasta is done, drain it, reserving a bit of the pasta water. Reheat the garlic and oil mixture briefly if necessary.
- Dress the pasta with the olive oil garlic sauce, adding a little more oil or some of the cooking water if it seems dry. Adjust the seasoning if needed, then toss with parsley and sprinkle with fresh parmesan cheese. (if using)
ohtastensee
Love the pasta..simple and garlicky...
Kim
The bowties are very popular at my house too. I bet it was gobbled up very quickly. Looks delicious 🙂
Debinhawaii
A beautiful and simple dish to let the garlic shine through. Great pick!
Claudia
I love the little bowties, and with all that parsley and garlic, so good and good for you too.
girlichef
Yum, this was a great choice...sounds simple and delicious! And the bowties are pretty 😉
pigpigscorner
Simple and delicious!
Holly
MmmmYum this looks and sounds delish!
Joanne
I love linguine but bow ties definitely do this classic justice. What a great dish!
Mags
Two garlic breaths cancel each other out, so as long as you don't kiss anyone but Grumpy, no one's the wiser!
pegasuslegend
looks beautiful thats all I use is garlic....perfect!
Cristine
Looks beautiful and sounds delicious!
5 Star Foodie
The garlicky flavor sounds terrific! I've been making lots of dishes with garlic lately because my daughter finally admitted that garlic is not really spicy but flavorful and likes it 🙂
Cathy
Love the garlic and a little kick from the pepper. This is a perfect side dish for summertime barbecues.
Gera @ SweetsFoodsBlog
My comfort garlicky food that I eat several times per month love this recipe!
I kill the garlic breath with minty desserts 🙂
Cheers,
Gera
bellini valli
It is pretty and as long as Grumpy is eating the garlic-infused dish too it is all good:D
Kait
Simple and delicious. We have a rule in our house. If one person eats garlic, the other person has to eat some too 🙂