Spaghetti Aglio e Olio with Kale, Lemon, and Parsley Recipe
A classic Italian pasta dish featuring spaghetti tossed in fragrant garlic-infused olive oil, with a touch of red pepper flakes and fresh kale. Finished with lemon zest, fresh parsley, and Parmesan cheese, this simple yet flavorful Spaghetti Aglio e Olio is perfect for a quick and elegant meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces spaghetti
- ½ to 1 cup pasta water (reserved from cooking)
Sauce and Vegetables
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- ¼ to ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 large bunch lacinato kale, stemmed and chopped
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
Garnish
- ⅓ cup chopped fresh parsley
- Parmesan or vegan Parmesan, for serving
Instructions
- Cook pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water and then drain the pasta.
- Prepare garlic oil and kale: In a large skillet over medium heat, warm olive oil. Add sliced garlic and red pepper flakes, stirring constantly for 30 seconds to 1 minute until garlic is lightly browned around edges. Add chopped kale, sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper; toss with tongs and cook until the kale is wilted, about 1 minute.
- Toss pasta with sauce: Add cooked spaghetti to the skillet and toss to combine with garlic oil and kale. Pour in ½ cup reserved pasta water along with lemon juice and zest. Toss well to coat the pasta evenly; add more pasta water as needed to create a light sauce.
- Season and serve: Taste and adjust seasoning if required. Garnish the pasta with chopped fresh parsley and serve immediately with Parmesan or vegan Parmesan cheese on the side.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency—starchy water helps the sauce cling to noodles.
- Be careful not to burn the garlic; it should be lightly golden for the best flavor.
- Kale can be substituted with spinach or other sturdy greens if desired.
- This dish is best served fresh and hot for optimum texture and flavor.
- Use vegan Parmesan to keep the dish dairy-free and vegan-friendly.
Keywords: Spaghetti Aglio e Olio, garlic pasta, kale pasta, Italian pasta recipe, quick pasta, vegetarian pasta
