By Aditi Saraswat
April 30, 2026
When weekdays feel hectic, and the cooking energy takes a dip, aglio olio pasta can be your rescue to beat the blues. A mix of garlic, olive oil and chilli makes for a deeply satisfying dinner that feels satisfying and can be prepared in minutes without any elaborate prep.
200 g spaghetti or pasta 4 tbsp olive oil 6 garlic cloves, thinly sliced 1 tsp chilli flakes 1/2 tsp salt 1/4 tsp black pepper 2 tbsp parsley or coriander, chopped 1/4 cup reserved pasta water 2 tbsp grated parmesan (optional) Water for boiling pasta
In a pan, cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve some of the pasta water before draining to use in the sauce.
Thinly slice the garlic cloves evenly, as the fine slices cook quickly and infuse the oil without turning too harsh or bitter.
In a pan, heat olive oil on a low flame and add garlic to it and cook gently until it turns light golden, then mix in chilli flakes.
Transfer the drained pasta straight to the garlic oil. Toss it well so that every strand gets coated with the seasonings.
Pour in the reserved pasta water little by little into the pan; this helps the oil stick to the pasta and makes a glossy texture.
Add the pepper, herbs and parmesan if using, then toss everything once again and serve instantly for the best midweek dinner.