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Plate of spaghetti with an olive oil, garlic, breadcrumb, lemon zest, and Parmesan cheese sauce. This is classic Italian fare.

SPAGHETTI AGLIO e OLIO


Description

This is one of those Italian classic recipes that you grew up eating and is so perfect in its simplicity, that it needs no updating.  Simple ingredients that provide big flavor.


Ingredients

Scale

For the breadcrumbs:

  • 6 slices crusty Italian bread
  • 4 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley

For the pasta:

  • 1 pound spaghetti
  • Kosher salt to taste
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 12 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
  • Shredded parmesan cheese
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Make the bread crumbs.

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.  On a baking sheet, lay the bread slices and toast for 10 minutes or very golden brown, flip and brown the other side – another 5 – 10 minutes.

Remove from the oven and allow to cool until you are able to handle the slices.

Crumble the toast into a food processor and process until you have very rough bread crumbs.

Pour in the melted butter and parsley.

Process until well combined and set aside.

Start the pasta.

Bring a large pot of water to a full rolling boil.  Once boiling add a handful of salt. The water should taste like the ocean.  Its a lot of salt, but this will flavor the pasta.

Add the spaghetti and cook until al dente – about 6-7 minutes.  Taste a strand, if it is still crunchy, cook an additional minute or two.

While the pasta is cooking, Place a large skillet over medium heat.

Drizzle in 2 tablespoons olive oil and add the garlic.  Cook the garlic over medium-low heat, stirring until it becomes very fragrant and just starts to brown.  Add the red pepper flakes and bread crumbs.

Toss together to mix completely.

Drain the pasta, reserving about a cup of the pasta cooking water.

Toss the pasta in the skillet with the bread crumb mixture.  

Drizzle the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, lemon zest and a handful of the shredded parmesan cheese.

If the pasta is dry, add the reserved pasta cooking water, a tablespoon at a time, until you have a ‘sauce’ to coat the pasta.

Garnish with additional cheese, and parsley.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Boil
  • Cuisine: Italian

Keywords: classic Italian recipes, pasta recipes, comfort food, Italian recipes, weeknight meals