Simple & Elegant Garlic Olive Oil Pasta (Aglio e Olio)
Restaurant-Quality Aglio e Olio at Home: Super Easy Recipe
Experience the clean, aromatic flavor of garlic and olive oil with this simple Aglio e Olio pasta. A delightful dish that’s surprisingly easy to make!
Ingredients- 10 fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 portions of pasta (approx. 1 portion = 1 US quarter size coin)
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 7 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 1/2 Tbsp red pepper flakes (adjust to your spice preference)
- 1 Tbsp Grana Padano cheese, grated (optional)
- 1 Tbsp chicken stock (for added umami)
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 Tbsp dried parsley
- 1/2 tsp salt
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, thinly slice 7 cloves of garlic. Garlic is key to the flavor of this pasta, so feel free to adjust the amount or mince it if you prefer.
Step 2
Prepare your flavor enhancers: 1 Tbsp chicken stock for richness, 1/2 tsp black pepper for aroma, and 1/2 tsp salt to season. Having these ready will make the cooking process smoother.
Step 3
If your shrimp are frozen, thaw them completely in cold water. Pat the thawed shrimp dry with paper towels to ensure they sauté nicely without releasing excess moisture.
Step 4
Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions, aiming for ‘al dente’ (about 1-2 minutes less than the suggested time). Crucially, reserve about 1 ladleful of the starchy pasta water before draining. This water will help emulsify the sauce.
Step 5
In a large skillet, heat 1/3 cup of olive oil over low heat. Add the sliced garlic and sauté gently. It’s important not to burn the garlic; cook it slowly until it turns a light golden brown and its fragrance infuses the oil. This step is the foundation of a great Aglio e Olio.
Step 6
Once the garlic is fragrant and lightly golden, add the drained pasta to the skillet. Toss in the chicken stock, black pepper, and salt. Pour in the reserved pasta water and stir everything together quickly. The starchy water will help create a light, cohesive sauce that coats the pasta beautifully.
Step 7
Now, add the prepared shrimp and red pepper flakes to the skillet. Continue to stir-fry for 1-2 minutes, just until the shrimp turn pink and are cooked through. Be careful not to overcook the shrimp, as they can become tough.
Step 8
Transfer the finished Aglio e Olio pasta to a serving plate. Sprinkle generously with 1 Tbsp of grated Grana Padano cheese and finish with a dusting of dried parsley for a beautiful presentation. Enjoy your delicious homemade pasta!
