Garlic Butter Spaghetti Aglio e Olio

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:

1. Boil the spaghetti in salted water according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve a ladle of pasta cooking water before draining.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Add the soy sauce and oyster sauce to the garlic butter mixture and stir to combine.
5. Add the cooked pasta and the ladle of pasta cooking water to the pan, tossing to coat the pasta in the sauce.
6. 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!