Elegant Aglio e Olio Pasta: An Easy Homemade Recipe
Mastering Aglio e Olio Pasta: A 15-Minute Recipe for Home Cooks
Create a delicious Aglio e Olio pasta with just 5 essential ingredients! This recipe is designed for ease, allowing anyone to achieve a flavorful dish. The aromatic garlic, perfectly al dente spaghetti, and savory bacon come together to create a restaurant-quality meal right in your own kitchen. Perfect for special occasions or elevating an ordinary weeknight dinner, this simple yet deeply flavored pasta is sure to impress.
Key Ingredients- Spaghetti, 1 serving (approx. 100g)
- Garlic, 5 cloves
- Minced garlic, 1 Tbsp
- Korean chili pepper (Cheongyang chili), 2 peppers
- Bacon, 100g
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Once boiling, add 1 Tbsp of coarse salt to season the water. (It should taste like seawater to ensure the pasta is well-seasoned!) Add the spaghetti for one serving and cook for about 1 minute less than the package instructions, typically around 9-10 minutes. Reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water before draining.
Step 2
While the pasta is cooking, prepare the other ingredients. Thinly slice 5 cloves of garlic. For an even more intense garlic flavor, you can lightly smash some cloves with the side of your knife before slicing. Finely chop 2 Korean chili peppers (Cheongyang chili), removing the seeds if you prefer less heat. Adjust the amount of chili to your spice preference.
Step 3
Cut the 100g of bacon into bite-sized pieces, about 1-2 cm wide. The rendered fat from the bacon will add significant flavor to the pasta, so no need to trim it off.
Step 4
Heat a large skillet over medium-low heat and pour in a generous amount of 5 Tbsp olive oil. Add the sliced garlic and gently sauté, stirring frequently, until it becomes fragrant and lightly golden. Be careful not to burn the garlic, and lower the heat if necessary.
Step 5
Once the sliced garlic is lightly golden, add the chopped Korean chili peppers and 1 Tbsp of minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté them together. Add the minced garlic later as it cooks faster and can burn easily. You should start to smell a spicy aroma.
Step 6
Now, add the cut bacon to the skillet and cook until it’s slightly crispy. Cooking over medium heat will bring out its rich flavor. The combination of bacon fat, garlic, and chili will create a wonderfully aromatic base for your pasta.
Step 7
Using tongs, transfer the cooked spaghetti directly from the boiling water to the skillet. Toss quickly with the other ingredients already in the pan. This helps the pasta absorb the flavors.
Step 8
Pour in about 2 ladles (approx. 100ml) of the reserved pasta water. This starchy water is crucial for emulsifying the sauce, creating a silky texture, and binding all the ingredients together. Let it simmer and slightly thicken the sauce.
Step 9
Continue to toss and cook for another 1-2 minutes, allowing the pasta to absorb the flavors from the oil and other ingredients. You can gently shake the pan as well. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt if needed.
Step 10
Your delicious Aglio e Olio pasta is ready! Serve immediately while hot. For an extra touch, you can garnish with grated Parmesan cheese or fresh chopped parsley.
