The Humble Spanish Garlic Pasta | Quick & EASY 20 Minute Recipe

This Spanish garlic pasta, known as macarrones al ajillo, is what simple and delicious food is all about. We’re talking basic pantry staples, super easy to make, and all done in just 20 minutes. Serve it as a side or even as a main course, next to a garden salad and a bottle of Spanish white wine.

To make this recipe, I used penne pasta. You can use whatever type of pasta you like. Though traditionally penne pasta or spaghetti is used. Either way, make sure to check the pasta cooking instructions; that way, you perfectly cook it al dente.

To make the garlic sauce, I used extra virgin olive oil, garlic, crushed red pepper, paprika, parsley, and manchego cheese. You can use whatever type of cheese you like or whatever you have on hand. Just make sure to use a great olive oil, as it makes all the difference in the flavors.

TIPS & TRICKS to Make this Recipe: You can serve this pasta warm, at room temperature, or even chilled. It will hold for up to 3 to 4 days in the fridge in an airtight container.

Key Ingredients & Cookware I used in this Recipe:
MY COOKWARE
MY CHEF´S KNIFE
EXTRA VIRGIN SPANISH OLIVE OIL

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Watch the Video Below on How to Make Spanish Garlic Pasta

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The Humble Spanish Garlic Pasta

Course Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine Spanish

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Servings 4

Calories 345 kcal

Author Albert Bevia @ Spain on a Fork

Ingredients

• 8 oz penne pasta 225 grams
• 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 45 ml
• 8 cloves garlic (thinly sliced)
• 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper 0.65 grams
• 1/2 tsp sweet smoked Spanish paprika 1.25 grams
• 1/4 cup chopped parsley 15 grams
• 1/4 cup grated Manchego cheese 30 grams
• sea salt & black pepper

Instructions

1. Fill a stockpot a little over halfway with water, season generously with salt, and heat with a high heat

2. Once the water comes to a boil, add in the pasta and mix every 1 to 2 minutes

3. In the meantime, heat a large frying pan with a medium heat and add in the olive oil

4. After a couple of minutes, add in the sliced garlic, crushed red pepper, and a kiss of salt, mix continuously, after 1 to 2 minutes and the garlic is lightly sauteed, turn off the heat, add in the paprika, and mix together

5. Once the pasta is just cooked al dente (check package instructions on the pasta you are using), remove the stockpot from the heat and drain the pasta into a colander, make sure to reserve some of the pasta cooking water

6. Add the pasta into the pan with the garlic sauce, along with the chopped parsley, grated cheese, and season with salt & pepper, then add in between 2 to 3 tbsp (30 to 45 ml) of the reserved pasta water, and mix together until well mixed

7. Serve directly out of the pan or transfer into serving dishes, enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Get the Spanish Olive Oil I used to make this Recipe

Nutrition Facts

The Humble Spanish Garlic Pasta

Amount Per Serving

Calories 345 Calories from Fat 126

% Daily Value*

Fat 14g22%

Saturated Fat 3g19%

Polyunsaturated Fat 1g

Monounsaturated Fat 8g

Cholesterol 8mg3%

Sodium 152mg7%

Potassium 180mg5%

Carbohydrates 45g15%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 2g2%

Protein 10g20%

Vitamin A 515IU10%

Vitamin C 7mg8%

Calcium 105mg11%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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