How to Make Spaghetti Aglio, Olio, e Peperoncino con Bottarga - A Step-by-Step Guide

Spaghetti Aglio, Olio, e Peperoncino con Bottarga is a classic Italian dish that combines the simple yet bold flavors of garlic, olive oil, and red pepper with the briny richness of bottarga. This dish is a favorite in southern Italy, where it is often enjoyed as a quick and satisfying meal. The combination of ingredients may be simple, but the resulting flavors are anything but ordinary.

Aglio, Olio, e Peperoncino translates to "garlic, oil, and red pepper," and these three ingredien...

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Ingredients

  • 1 (16 ounce) package spaghetti
  • ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil, or more to taste
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 red chile pepper, seeded and minced
  • 2 ounces grated Sardinian mullet bottarga, divided
  • 4 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf (Italian) parsley
  • 1 small lemon, zested

Information

  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 15 mins
  • Total Time: 30 mins
  • Servings: 4
  • Yield: 4 servings

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 12 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, heat oil in a large skillet or wok over medium heat.
  • Add garlic to the oil and cook until just warmed through, 1 to 2 minutes. Add chile pepper and stir together, reducing the temperature to medium-low. Continue stirring. The garlic should never become dark brown or crispy. If this has happened, the garlic is burnt and no longer appropriate for consumption.
  • Drain the pasta, reserving at least 1 cup pasta water. Add the spaghetti to the oil mixture, still on medium-low heat. Stir or toss until all the spaghetti is well coated. Add 3/4 of the bottarga and stir to mix with the spaghetti, adding the reserved pasta water to hydrate as needed. There should be a little "sauce" when serving but not soupy.
  • Divide onto 4 plates and sprinkle with chopped parsley and lemon zest; squeeze lemon juice over and sprinkle remaining bottarga on top right before serving.
  • Nutrition

    554 cal.

    • Total Fat: 16g
    • Saturated Fat: 2g
    • Sodium: 11mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 88g
    • Dietary Fiber: 5g
    • Total Sugars: 4g
    • Protein: 15g
    • Vitamin C: 38mg
    • Calcium: 46mg
    • Iron: 4mg
    • Potassium: 344mg