Dinner for One: Easy Pasta with Olive Oil & Garlic

Olive oil and garlic pasta is the perfect solution on nights when the bright lights of a fast-food chain beckon. It’s a super-easy pasta recipe that takes no time at all to make.

Ingredients

• 2 ounces spaghetti
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 garlic clove, chopped
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
• ground black pepper

If you don’t love super garlic-y pasta, you may want to cut the garlic amount in half (or if you really love garlic, chop up an extra clove!).

In the time it takes to boil the spaghetti, this easy pasta dish is ready to go. It’s so fast and easy!

How to Make Pasta with Olive Oil and Garlic

☑️ Cook the Spaghetti

Bring a pot of water to a boil and add the spaghetti. Cook it according to the package instructions, about 8 to 10 minutes.

☑️ Saute

While the pasta cooks, warm the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook it until lightly golden and softened. It won’t take long, so keep an eye on it and lower the heat if needed if the garlic is browning too fast.

If the garlic is golden and soft, but the pasta is not cooked yet, take the skillet off the heat until the spaghetti is ready.

Variations

Part of the appeal of this olive oil and garlic pasta is that it’s very simple and so delicious! That said, there are ways to dress it up:

• If you like a little heat, add a pinch or two of red pepper flakes when adding garlic to the oil.
• When you add the hot spaghetti to the skillet, add a little lemon zest. It will give it a pop of brightness.
• Switch up the herbs – add dried herbs like oregano, rosemary, or Italian seasoning when you heat the oil (1/4 of a teaspoon should be plenty!). Or, add some fresh herbs like basil or thyme before serving it.
• Add a protein like cooked chicken or shrimp to make it more filling.
• Serve it with crusty bread and a fresh green salad for a complete meal.