Easy Pantry Dinners
A simple yet incredibly flavorful Italian pasta dish featuring garlic, olive oil, and a touch of chili. It is a perfect quick meal that uses basic pantry ingredients.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces spaghetti or linguine
- 0.5 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 6 cloves garlic thinly sliced
- 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes or to taste
- 0.25 cup fresh parsley chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain.
- While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat.
- Add sliced garlic to the oil and cook gently until fragrant and lightly golden, about 2-3 minutes. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
- Stir in red pepper flakes and cook for another 30 seconds.
- Add drained pasta to the skillet with the garlic oil. Toss well to coat.
- Add about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of reserved pasta water, tossing continually, until a light sauce forms and coats the pasta. Add more pasta water if needed for desired consistency.
- Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Stir in fresh parsley, if using.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
For a richer flavor, toast the garlic slices gently until golden, not burnt. Adding a splash of reserved pasta water helps create a light, emulsified sauce that coats the pasta beautifully. Garnish with fresh parsley or grated Parmesan for an extra layer of taste.