This Oil Pasta with Spaghetti and Shrimp — also known as Spaghetti Aglio Olio e Peperoncino con Gamberi — is a rustic Italian dish that proves you don’t need heavy cream or cheese to make something incredibly delicious. With just a handful of ingredients, you can create a luxurious meal bursting with flavor: sweet shrimp, fragrant garlic, spicy chili, and high-quality olive oil coating al dente spaghetti.
Popular in southern Italy, this minimalist pasta dish is beloved for its simplicity, speed, and depth of flavor. It’s perfect for busy weeknights, romantic dinners, or when you want to impress without spending hours in the kitchen.
The key lies in the technique: gently infusing olive oil with garlic and chili, then tossing everything together with fresh shrimp and hot pasta. The residual heat from the pasta cooks the shrimp just right, while the starch helps the oil cling to every strand.
It’s an elegant, healthy, and satisfying meal that seafood lovers will adore — and it takes less than 20 minutes to make!
Ingredients (Serves 2–3):
- 8 oz spaghetti
- 12 oz raw peeled and deveined shrimp
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- 1–2 red chili flakes (adjust to taste)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Optional: lemon zest, Parmesan cheese, or cherry tomatoes
Instructions:
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add spaghetti and cook until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
Step 2: Sauté the Garlic & Chili
In a large skillet over medium-low heat, add olive oil. Add sliced garlic and chili flakes. Cook slowly — do not let the garlic brown; it should turn golden and become fragrant (about 2–3 minutes).
Step 3: Cook the Shrimp
Add shrimp to the pan and season lightly with salt and pepper. Cook for 2–3 minutes per side until pink and just cooked through. Remove shrimp and set aside.
Step 4: Toss with Pasta
Return the pan to low heat. Add cooked spaghetti directly into the pan along with a splash of pasta water. Toss well so the pasta absorbs the garlicky, spicy oil.
Step 5: Combine Everything
Add the shrimp back into the pan and toss again. Cook for another minute so everything heats through.
Step 6: Serve Hot
Transfer to serving plates. Garnish with fresh parsley, a drizzle of olive oil, and optional lemon zest or shaved Parmesan.
Serve immediately with crusty bread and a glass of white wine for a truly Italian experience.
Pro Tips:
- Use fresh garlic slices , not minced, for better flavor infusion.
- Don’t skip the pasta water — it helps bind the sauce to the noodles.
- For extra richness, finish with a squeeze of lemon juice .
- Add cherry tomatoes or baby spinach for a colorful twist.
- Make sure your pan is hot enough before adding garlic to avoid bitterness.
