Aglio e olio pasta might sound fancy on the surface, but it’s one of the simplest pasta dishes you can make. It’s a traditional Italian dish that contains garlic and olive oil, and it’s always a part of Italian cuisine restaurant menus.
There are many different recipes for aglio e olio. Some are very simple, while others have a lot more complicated ingredients. The original Neapolitan recipe contains only spaghetti, olive oil, garlic, parsley, and an optional hot pepper.
It’s important to be delicate with the ingredients. If you add other ingredients such as parmesan cheese, you lose the original flavor and can’t call the dish aglio e olio anymore. It may be just as tasty, but it’s not the same dish.
If you travel to Italy and notice the restaurants serve this pasta dish with shredded parmesan on top, know that they’re doing it just for the tourists. Find the place that makes the original recipes and enjoy the authentic, traditional flavors.
Or even better, get the best quality ingredients you can find and make aglio e olio spaghetti at home. Pair them with a glass of your favorite wine and you’ll feel like you’re in the middle of Italy in no time!
