After Thanksgiving; after I have my one perfect sandwich from leftovers (I know; I sound like Joey from ‘Friends’ !) I start to crave really simple dishes for awhile. Salads, OK maybe another perfect sandwich but also simpler dishes, soups and pasta; including this most simple of pasta dishes.
My Grandmother’s Italian neighbors thought this dish significant of tough times when food had to be stretched to feed a family. I’ve always just loved it..for the simplicity and ease of preparation and sure; it’s OK that it doesn’t break the bank too!
Really, what could be simpler? Pasta, garlic, olive oil and Parmesan cheese. This is an extremely simple dish but if made well, it is simply divine. The secret to this dish is to infuse the olive oil with the garlic; beyond infused it’s called burned; so keep a close eye on that garlic!
Enjoy alone or with a salad and it’s also perfect as a side dish to almost any meal.
I’ve put together a list of my favorite dishes using Thanksgiving leftovers as well as some of the lighter fare I like to prepare after the splurge of the holidays. Enjoy!
Spaghetti et Aglio e Olio (Spaghetti with garlic and oil)
Ingredients
- 1 lb spaghetti
- 6 garlic cloves
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil (Yes, GOOD Olive Oil is a must!)
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- Parmesan Cheese
- Paprika (optional but I like to dust it on top for just a bit of color)
Preparation
- Using a garlic press, press the garlic into a saute pan or mince very finely. Pressing the garlic will release the juices more, allowing the flavors to diffuse throughout the oil.
- Pour the olive oil into the pan, be sure there is enough to cover the bottom and all of the garlic. Don’t worry if you have to use a bit extra oil; it will be left in the pan when you serve the dish so it’s best to make sure the garlic is covered so that the oil and garlic flavors can meld. Stir the mixture with a wooden spoon and let it stand while preparing the spaghetti.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to boil and put the spaghetti in the boiling water making sure the noodles are separated.
- Cooking time is about 9-11 minutes, depending on the variety of noodle you use.
- Drain the spaghetti.
- Heat the olive oil and garlic on high, bringing the garlic to a boil, stirring constantly. This will mellow the flavor of the garlic but be sure not to burn it. Turn off the heat and add the noodles and mix well so that all of the noodles are covered with the garlic oil.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Serve from the pan using spaghetti tongs.
- Top with grated Parmesan cheese. Dust with Paprika if using.
Serve with bread and enjoy with a cold glass of Pinot Grigio! So very simple and so very mouth watering!
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{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
My husbands very favorite!
Looks like a perfect antidote to turkey overload!
And that’s exactly what it was. I had a big turkey and a ton of leftovers but just needed pasta!
This dish got me through school.Never tire of it.
Be still my heart!! Every year, the day after Thanksgiving I am craving pasta while my husband wants to wade through all of the leftovers. He’s working this evening and I’m trying this recipe tonight!! Thanks.
It looks wonderful and easy to make. Totally my kind of recipe!
And that’s exactly why I made it! Tired, late and craving anything BUT turkey; it was perfect.