The classic Italian spaghetti aglio e olio has only three basic ingredients: pasta, olive oil and garlic. In this variation, sun-dried tomatoes and fresh basil are added for more flavor and color.
Connie’s Notes
Sun-dried tomatoes are just regular tomatoes that have been dried under the sun to remove the water. So what you get is pure tomato flavor.
In the grocery, this Italian cooking ingredient is sold dried or soaked in olive oil usually with added herbs and spices. If you get the kind soaked in oil, you may use the flavor-packed oil in lieu of plain olive oil to make this pasta dish.
A tip: While it is always the best practice to add salt to the water in which the pasta will cook, in the case of pasta aglio e olio, you need to add more salt than usual. The pasta will just be tossed in the garlicky oil after it cooks. It will not simmer in sauce where it will finish cooking. So, flavor it generously.
So, “salted water” in the cooking instructions doesn’t mean water with a pinch of salt added to it. I mean, really salted water — like one tablespoon salt for every liter and a half of water.
A tip: While it is always the best practice to add salt to the water in which the pasta will cook, in the case of pasta aglio e olio, you need to add more salt than usual. The pasta will just be tossed in the garlicky oil after it cooks. It will not simmer in sauce where it will finish cooking. So, flavor it generously.
So, “salted water” in the cooking instructions doesn’t mean water with a pinch of salt added to it. I mean, really salted water — like one tablespoon salt for every liter and a half of water.Ingredients
- 200 grams spaghetti - (a little less than ½ pound) or the usual amount you’d cook for four
- salt
- 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 4 tablespoons minced garlic
- 4 tablespoons chopped sun-dried tomatoes
- juice of half a lemon
- 1 small handful roughly chopped parsley
- 1 small handful finely sliced basil
- grated Parmesan cheese - to serve
- lemon juice - (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in salted boiling water.
- Meanwhile, while the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a pan.
- Over medium heat, cook the garlic until lightly browned.
- Add the sun-dried tomatoes and cook, stirring, for about 30 seconds.
- When just a bit undercooked, scoop the pasta directly into the pan with the garlic and sun-dried tomatoes. Ladle in a quarter cup of the salted pasta water and toss.
- Add the parsley and basil (reserve a little for garnish) and toss thoroughly.
- Off the heat, taste and add more salt, if needed.
- Divide the pasta among four shallow bowls, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese (and, optionally, drizzle in lemon juice) and serve.
