Preparation
Step 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to boil for the pasta.
Cook the pasta: Once the water is boiling, add in the spaghetti. Stir it in the boiling water. Keep stirring it while it’s cooking.
Step 2
Heat the olive oil: In a large sauté pan, add the oil on medium-high heat. Add the garlic: A few minutes after you have the pasta cooking and when the oil is shimmering, lower the heat of the sauté pan to medium. Add the garlic to the oil.
Step 3
Cook the garlic until it is a nice light golden brown (should take 3-5 minutes). Add in the crushed red pepper flakes (or peperoncino) and stir to combine with the garlic and oil.
Step 4
Once the garlic reaches a light golden color, remove the pan from the heat. Meanwhile, the pasta keeps cooking . (Optional)Stir in the parsley (you could reserve some to toss on top at the end, it's up to you)and a teaspoon of salt.
Step 5
Cook the pasta until it's just before al dente (set a timer for 1 minute less than the cooking time on the pasta instructions so you don't forget). Reserve a 1/2 cup of starchy pasta water.
Step 6
Cook with sauce: Immediately add the drained pasta and the reserved pasta water to the garlic oil sauce. Use tongs or a spoon to continuously toss together for 1-2 minutes, until the pasta is finally al dente.
Step 7
Taste the pasta, and if needed, add salt. If you like it more spicy, add some more crushed red pepper flakes.
Serve: Plate up the pasta while it’s very hot and ENJOY!