Artificial Food Coloring Free One-Pot Aglio e Olio
Few dishes prove that simple ingredients can be genuinely spectacular quite like this Roman-style garlic and oil pasta. Every component here — spaghetti, olive oil, fresh garlic, red pepper flakes, parsley, and a little Parmesan — is exactly what it says it is, with no dyes, no artificial additives, and no mystery ingredients hiding in a sauce packet or seasoning blend. That matters more than you might think, because plenty of jarred pasta sauces and flavored noodles sneak in synthetic colorants that have no business being in a bowl of pasta. Here, the golden hue on the garlic comes from careful cooking, and the flecks of green are just real, fresh parsley — nothing artificial required. The technique of building a glossy, clinging sauce from starchy pasta water and good olive oil is a little bit of kitchen magic that rewards patience and attention. It's the kind of weeknight dinner that feels indulgent without any of the ingredient-label anxiety, and it comes together in a single pot and pan for easy cleanup. Serve it immediately while the sauce is still silky and the heat is still rising off the bowl.
About FigFig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.
Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 1 lb spaghetti
- 1 tbsp kosher salt, plus more to taste
- ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided
- 8 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes
- ½ cup fresh parsley, roughly chopped
- ½ cup finely grated parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add 1 tbsp kosher salt and the spaghetti and cook, stirring occasionally, until 2 minutes shy of al dente — tender but with a firm, chalky center — according to the package directions. Reserve 1 1/2 cups of the pasta cooking water, then drain the spaghetti.
- 2
While the pasta cooks, heat 1/4 cup of the olive oil in a large skillet or wide sauté pan over medium-low heat. Add the garlic slices in a single layer and cook, stirring frequently, until pale golden at the edges and fragrant, about 4–5 minutes. Watch closely — the slices can go from golden to bitter quickly.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!