Olive Oil Garlic and Crushed Red Pepper Pasta Sauce

Elevate your pasta night with this Olive Oil Garlic and Crushed Red Pepper Pasta Sauce, a simple yet flavorful recipe that embodies the essence of Italian home cooking. This quick 20-minute sauce combines fragrant garlic, rich extra virgin olive oil, and a kick of crushed red pepper flakes to create a delicate balance of savory and spicy. A splash of starchy pasta water transforms these humble ingredients into a silky, restaurant-worthy sauce that clings perfectly to your favorite pasta. Customize it with freshly chopped parsley and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese for added brightness and depth. Perfect for busy weeknights or casual entertaining, this light and satisfying dish highlights bold, fresh flavors with minimal effort.

Nutriscore Rating: 48/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:20 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 0.25 cup Extra virgin olive oil
• 6 pieces Garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• 1 teaspoon Crushed red pepper flakes
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Freshly ground black pepper
• 0.5 cup Pasta water
• 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
• 0.25 cup Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook your favorite pasta according to package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.

Step 2

While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Step 3

Add the sliced garlic to the skillet and cook, stirring frequently, for about 2-3 minutes, or until the garlic turns golden and fragrant. Be careful not to burn it.

Step 4

Stir in the crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Cook for an additional 30 seconds to let the spices bloom.

Step 5

Lower the heat to medium-low and carefully add ½ cup of reserved pasta water to the skillet. Stir well to combine the garlic and spicy oil with the water, creating a simple yet rich sauce.

Step 6

Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss to coat the noodles evenly in the sauce.

Step 7

If desired, sprinkle freshly chopped parsley and grated Parmesan cheese over the pasta for added flavor.

Step 8

Serve immediately and enjoy a light, slightly spicy pasta dish that's beautifully simple and satisfying.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(262.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	764.1

Total Fat 72.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 18.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 47.6mg	0%
Sodium 2094.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 10.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 1.1g	0%
Total Sugars 0.1g
Protein 24.1g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 693.8mg	0%
Iron 1.0mg	0%
Potassium 177.5mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 82.6%

Protein: 12.2%

Carbs: 5.2%