Garlic Butter Spaghetti Aglio e Olio
Ingredients: For the pasta:
- 100 g of spaghetti
- 800 ml of water (for boiling the pasta)
- 0.3-0.4 tablespoon of salt (for boiling the pasta)
For the sauce:
- 25 g of unsalted butter
- 15 g of garlic (about 2 large cloves), finely minced
- 2 g (1 teaspoon) of ground red pepper (chili flakes)
- 8 g (1 tablespoon) of soy sauce
- 5 g (1 teaspoon) of oyster sauce (can be substituted with more soy sauce)
- 1 ladle of pasta cooking water
- A sprinkle of Parmesan cheese
For the fried garlic topping:
- 25 g of garlic (about 3 large cloves)
- 30 g (3 tablespoons) of olive oil
Garnish:
- Chopped green onions or chives
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Fried garlic
- Garlic-infused olive oil (from frying the garlic)
Cooking Tips:
- Since you’ll be using pasta cooking water, which contains starch and salt, be cautious not to over-salt the pasta water.
- Draining the fried garlic on a kitchen towel helps it become crisp as it cools.
Preparation Method:
- Boil the spaghetti in salted water according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve a ladle of pasta cooking water before draining.
- While the pasta cooks, make the fried garlic. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat, add the sliced garlic, and fry until golden and crisp. Remove the garlic and drain it on a paper towel.
- In the same pan, reduce the heat to low and melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes and sauté until the garlic is fragrant but not browned.
- Add the soy sauce and oyster sauce to the garlic butter mixture and stir to combine.
- Add the cooked pasta and the ladle of pasta cooking water to the pan, tossing to coat the pasta in the sauce.
- If the sauce is too thick, add a little more pasta water to reach the desired consistency.
Serving: Plate the spaghetti and garnish with the fried garlic, a drizzle of the garlic-infused olive oil, chopped green onions, and a generous sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately for a warm, garlicky, and slightly spicy meal. Enjoy your homemade Garlic Butter Spaghetti Aglio e Olio!