Tagliatelle Aglio, Olio e Peperoncino, or Tagliatelle with Garlic, Oil and Chilli, is an Italian classic. As the name suggests, the pasta is coated in a delicious garlic, olive oil and chilli sauce mixed with some chopped fresh parsley. Added cheese is optional.
Collect together your equipment (see Recipe Notes below) and ingredients.
Heat the olive oil over a moderate to low heat, in a pan wide enough to take the spaghetti or tagliatelle. Add the crushed garlic, chilli flakes or chopped fresh chilli and freshly ground black pepper and cook for 2 minutes.
Add the pasta, boiling water and salt and bring to a simmer. Cook, without a lid, until the water has almost disappeared (just a couple of tablespoons left) and the pasta is cooked to al dente, around 9 - 10 minutes. Stir the pasta, from time to time, as it cooks. This helps to create a thicker sauce which will cling to the sides of the pasta. Please note:
- If the pasta is cooked, and there is too much liquid left, boil briskly to reduce quickly.
- If the water has disappeared and the pasta is not yet cooked, add a little more boiling water and cook until the pasta is ready.
When the pasta is cooked to your liking, add the chopped parsley and mix thoroughly.
Serve immediately with a delicious salad on the side. We enjoy it topped with grated Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese but this is optional.
Equipment:
Chilli quantities:
This is entirely down to your personal taste and how hot you like to eat your food. Chillis also vary tremendously, so it will also depend on what sort of chilli you use. I use dried chilli flakes from a local Asian shop which are comparatively spicy. Charlotte likes ⅛ teaspoon per portion, Emma likes half that. Go easy the first time you make it, and increase it afterwards, if necessary. You can always sprinkle a little extra chilli on the pasta before you eat it, if you find you have not added enough.
Increasing the quantities:
This recipe will give you a small to medium sized portion. To increase the quantities you need to –
For example if you are cooking 110g pasta –