Easy Sizzling Italian Spaghetti Aglio e Olio [+Video]

This simple and delicious Italian dish is perfect for a quick weeknight meal. Learn how to make spaghetti aglio e olio with just a few ingredients and enjoy a flavorful sizzle in every bite.

This recipe was born because our sizzling Italian dipping oil for bread was going crazy on Instagram so I thought…I bet if I tossed this herbaceous oil with some pasta that it would be outrageous! And boy was I right! The whole family gobbled this up and now we are having it on the reg. I hope you love it as much as we do!

Oh and did I mention that it’s so quick and easy?! Dinner on the table in 20 minutes! I know all you busy parents will love that!

What is Aglio e Olio?

Directly translated from Italian, “spaghetti aglio e olio” means “spaghetti with garlic and oil.” It’s a classic Italian pasta dish where spaghetti is tossed with a hot garlic and oil sauce. I’ve also seen it called “midnight spaghetti” because it’s so quick and easy to make and can be thrown together for a late night snack. If this is how midnight snacks go in Italy, count me in!

Ingredients for Spaghetti Aglio e Olio

It only takes a few simple ingredients to make this spaghetti recipe, so head to the fresh herbs section of your produce section and you are just a few more ingredients away from a simple pasta dinner:

• Olive Oil: helps cook the garlic and acts as the sauce for the pasta
• Garlic: be sure to use fresh garlic
• Fresh Herbs: Parsley, Oregano (or Marjoram), Rosemary and Basil
• Red Pepper Flakes: adds flavor and a little heat
• Kosher Salt: adds flavor
• Balsamic Vinegar: adds acidity and a little sweetness
• Fresh Spaghetti: buy it at the store or make your own
• Parmesan: Pasta is always better with parm!

The measurements for each ingredient can be found in the recipe card at the end of the post.

Two Ways to Make Spaghetti with Garlic and Olive Oil

There are two ways you can make the hot sizzling oil spaghetti and it all depends on how you want the garlic…the “aglio” in our aglio olio! Both versions only take 20 minutes to get on the table! I’ll walk you through each method. Before you start, make sure you get some water heating up and boil your pasta until al dente.

Toasted Garlic

1. Mix: Place all the herbs and spices in a shallow bowl and mix to combine.
2. Heat: Add the oil to a small saucepan and heat over medium heat. When the oil is shimmering, add the garlic and let it toast.
   • PRO TIP: Pay close attention to the garlic because it will brown quickly and you don’t want it to burn.
3. Pour: Pour the hot oil and garlic over the top of the herbs mixture and stir thoroughly. Drizzle with some balsamic vinegar and sprinkle with salt.
4. Combine: Place the cooked pasta in a large serving bowl and pour the oil mixture over the top of the pasta and toss to coat. Sprinkle it with Parmesan cheese and serve it while it’s hot!

Fresh Garlic

1. Mix: Place the garlic, herbs and spices in a shallow bowl.
2. Heat: Add the oil to a small saucepan and heat over medium heat until it shimmers.
3. Pour: Pour the hot oil over the garlic and herbs. Add a drizzle of balsamic vinegar and sprinkle with salt.
4. Combine: Place the cooked spaghetti in a large serving bowl and pour the sizzling oil and garlic over the pasta and toss to coat. Sprinkle it with Parmesan cheese and serve immediately.

The difference between the two options is subtle but the flavor will be quite different. If you love the flavor of roasted garlic, then do that option. I love it both ways! I don’t think I could choose. It just depends on my mood.

The complete recipe can be found in the recipe card down below so keep scrolling for all the details.

Can I Use Regular Spaghetti?

Yes, of course! Any type of pasta could be used honestly. Spaghetti is the more traditional type of pasta to use, but you could use angel hair, penne, bowtie, anything you have on hand! The texture and flavor of fresh pasta is just far superior and worth the extra time or money.

Substitutions and Variations

Creamier Sauce: If you want a creamier sauce, add 1/2 cup of starchy pasta water to the pasta after it has already been combined with the hot oil.

Add Vegetables: You can add vegetables to this dish if you want. Peas, asparagus, tomatoes, bell peppers, broccoli or mushrooms would all be great additions!

Add Protein: Cooked chicken, shrimp or steak would be super tasty tossed in this pasta. Cook the protein ahead of time and toss in at the end.

Storing and Reheating

Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will keep for up to 5 days. This dish also freezes extremely well. Let it cool completely and then place in a ziploc bag. They will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Reheat leftovers either in the microwave or on the stovetop. I prefer adding a little oil to a pan and warming up the pasta on the stove top. You could also add a little chicken broth so that the pasta doesn’t dry out.

Finished with a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan, this classic spaghetti aglio e olio is a celebration of bold, simple ingredients—elegant, satisfying, and utterly irresistible. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a cozy evening with friends, it’s the kind of dish that proves less is more.

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