15 Minute Easy Olive Oil Pasta Recipe
This 15 Minute Easy Olive Oil Pasta is a simple yet flavorful Italian-inspired dish that combines al dente bucatini with a fragrant garlic and olive oil sauce, enhanced by red pepper flakes, fresh parsley, and optional capers. It’s a quick, comforting meal perfect for busy weeknights or whenever you crave a delicious pasta dish with minimal ingredients.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 16 oz. bucatini (or spaghetti)
- 1/2 cup pasta water (reserved)
Sauce
- 1/2 cup olive oil + more for tossing the pasta
- 6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley
- 2 tablespoons capers (optional)
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Fresh cracked pepper, to taste
Garnish
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the bucatini or spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
- Toss pasta in olive oil: Place the drained pasta in a large bowl or pan, toss it with a little olive oil, and season with kosher salt and fresh cracked pepper to lightly flavor the noodles.
- Prepare garlic and pepper flakes: In a large sauté pan, heat 1/2 cup of olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the thinly sliced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes, cooking for about 2 minutes while stirring frequently. Cook just until the garlic becomes fragrant and turns a very pale golden color — be careful not to burn it or let it brown too much.
- Add parsley, capers, and pasta water: Stir in the chopped fresh parsley and optional capers. Pour in half of the reserved pasta water and cook for about 1 minute, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to begin thickening slightly.
- Toss pasta in sauce: Transfer the pasta into the sauté pan with the sauce. Toss well to coat each noodle evenly in the garlic and olive oil mixture.
- Finish cooking and adjust sauce: Cook the pasta in the pan for about another minute until heated through. Add the remaining reserved pasta water gradually as needed to create a silky, smooth sauce that clings to the noodles.
- Season and garnish: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Serve the pasta garnished generously with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Enjoy immediately for best flavor and texture!
Notes
- Be very careful not to overcook or burn the garlic, as it can become bitter and overpower the dish.
- Capers add a nice briny flavor but can be omitted if preferred or unavailable.
- If you don’t have bucatini, spaghetti is a great substitute.
- Reserve pasta water is essential to achieve a silky sauce that clings well to the noodles.
- This recipe is easily doubled or halved depending on serving requirements.
- For a vegan version, omit Parmesan or use a plant-based alternative.
Keywords: olive oil pasta, garlic pasta, quick pasta recipe, easy Italian pasta, bucatini recipe, weeknight dinner
