Pasta with Garlic and Olive Oil

Pasta with Garlic and Olive Oil is a simple yet flavorful Greek dish that highlights the beauty of fresh ingredients. This dish is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a charming date night at home.

Ingredients

• Spaghetti - 200 grams
• Extra virgin olive oil - 4 tablespoons
• Garlic - 4 cloves, thinly sliced
• Red pepper flakes - 1/2 teaspoon
• Fresh parsley - 2 tablespoons, chopped
• Lemon - 1, juiced and zested
• Salt - to taste
• Black pepper - to taste
• Parmesan cheese - 30 grams, grated (optional)

Steps

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes.
2. While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced garlic and sauté for 2-3 minutes until golden and fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
3. Add the red pepper flakes to the skillet and stir for another 30 seconds.
4. Once the pasta is cooked, reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then drain the spaghetti.
5. Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet with the garlic and oil. Toss well to combine, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time until desired consistency is reached.
6. Remove from heat and stir in the lemon juice, lemon zest, chopped parsley, and season with salt and black pepper to taste.
7. Serve immediately, topped with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

Nutrition

• Calories: 450
• Protein: 12 g
• Carbs: 70 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Cholesterol: 5 mg
• Total Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
• Water: 0.4 L

Health Benefits

• Rich in healthy fats from olive oil, which can support heart health.
• Garlic has antimicrobial properties and can boost the immune system.

Tags