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Spaghetti with Garlic and Olive Oil — traditional dish from Rome, Italy
Main course Vegan

Food Flavour DNA

Nutritional Values

🔥520kcal
💪12gProtein
🌾66gCarbs
🥑24gFat
🌿3gFibre
⚖️350 gServing

* Per serving · 350 g. May vary.

Allergens

🌾 Gluten

Spaghetti with Garlic and Olive Oil

How to order / say it
Say it Spaghetti aglio e olio — [spah-GEH-tee AH-lyoh eh AW-lee-oh]
Order I'd like the spaghetti aglio e olio, please.
Locally Vorrei gli spaghetti aglio e olio, per favore.
Say locally

A simple pasta with garlic, olive oil, and chili.

Why try it?

Spaghetti aglio e olio exemplifies the Roman affinity for minimalism in cuisine, letting the quality of local ingredients shine through with its straightforward preparation and robust flavors.

How it tastes

The aroma of garlic infuses the olive oil, creating a gentle heat with chili flakes that enhances the pasta without overwhelming it.

Origin & History — first documented: 1800

This dish likely originated in Southern Italy, gaining popularity in Rome as a late-night meal amongst locals due to its simplicity and quick preparation, well before achieving international fame in the late 20th century.

Recipe

Ingredients

  • 🌾 200 g spaghetti
  • 🧄 3 cloves garlic
  • 🫒 60 ml extra virgin olive oil
  • 🧂 1 tsp red chili flakes
  • 🌿 a handful parsley
  • 🧂 to taste salt

Method

  1. 1 Cook spaghetti until al dente.
  2. 2 Sauté sliced garlic in olive oil until golden.
  3. 3 Add chili flakes and cooked spaghetti to the garlic oil.
  4. 4 Toss with parsley and adjust seasoning before serving.

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