This penne aglio e olio is an easy twist on a classic pasta dish. Serve it as a simple side dish for chicken or as dinner for meatless Monday!
Like most of the world, I am on a quest to eat healthier (at least in January haha). I’m also on a quest to spend less time cooking dinner at night.
Wouldn’t it be nice to just relax after work.
So on my quick recipe journey, I went to pasta. It’s always my go-to quick meal ingredient. A few ingredients later, I had unknowingly made pasta aglio e olio but with penne instead of spaghetti.
And boom, my new go-to quick and semi-healthy weeknight dinner.
Penne Aglio e Olio
Traditionally, pasta aglio e olio is served with spaghetti noodles.
I, however, do not care for spaghetti. It all goes back to my early teen years and my time with braces and orthodontia. My particular dental gear was not suited for long noodles and after a bad experience, I still steer clear from spaghetti or linguine.
I decided to substitute spaghetti for one of my favorite noodles, penne. Prepare the penne per the box instructions (al dente) and the rest of the meal is made in a jiffy.
The hardest, and most time consuming, part of preparing this dish is chopping up the garlic and parsley.
Can I use pasta other than penne?
Yep! These are great substitutions:
- rigatoni
- spaghetti
- rotini
- linguine
What can I add to this easy pasta recipe?
The world is your oyster. You can add anything.
Vegetables are a great addition. Mushrooms, broccoli, cauliflower, and pepperoncini are my go-to’s.
Shrimp and chicken are great protein examples. Serving this under fish would be great too.
Can I make this aglio e olio recipe spicy?
You can make this recipe spicy with an addition or too. You can add more crushed red pepper flakes slowly until you get to the spiciness level you’re looking for. A 1/4 cup of finely diced jalapeño would easily give this dish a kick.
Looking for other pasta recipes? Try these:
Prepare the penne noodles per the box instructions. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water before draining. While the noodles are cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and sauté for 2 minutes. Stir frequently and when the garlic's edges begin to brown, add the crushed red pepper. Sauté for an additional 30 seconds. Add the reserved pasta water and bring to a boil. Simmer for 5 minutes, then add the cooked pasta to the pot. Toss carefully, then stir in the salt and parsley. Allow to rest for an additional 5 minutes off the heat before serving. When serving, top with fresh lemon zest. As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Penne Aglio e Olio
Ingredients
Instructions
Recommended Products
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 286 Total Fat: 19g Saturated Fat: 3g Trans Fat: 0g Unsaturated Fat: 15g Cholesterol: 0mg Sodium: 357mg Carbohydrates: 25g Fiber: 2g Sugar: 1g Protein: 5g
Michelle @ The Complete Savorist says
January 4, 2016 at 11:04 amI think not ending the year with the bang is perfectly acceptable. I am more accustomed to quiet NYE’s than anything else. This pasta dish is a perfect way to kick off my new year.
Terri/Love and Confections says
January 4, 2016 at 12:52 pmAglio e olio is what we grew up on. Love the simple and delicious combination with any pasta type!
Megan | Allergy Free Alaska says
January 4, 2016 at 2:18 pmWhat a beautiful pasta dish! My entire family would love this. I’d pair it with a salad and call it good. Perfect! Thanks for the recipe.
Des @ Life's Ambrosia says
January 4, 2016 at 2:36 pmAglio e olio is one of my faves! I love that you switched it up and used penne!
Kristyn says
January 4, 2016 at 4:30 pmWhat an easy but still delicious weeknight meal!
Chandra@The Plaid & Paisley Kitchen says
January 4, 2016 at 4:38 pmI love meatless monday’s. We have gotten away from it over the holidays this is a great recipe to get us back in the groove
Ashlyn @ Belle of the Kitchen says
January 5, 2016 at 2:23 amSimple dishes like this are always my favorite. With garlic, noodles, and olive oil you just can’t go wrong! Can’t wait to try this one, Jenny!
Jean | DelightfulRepast.com says
January 10, 2016 at 11:20 amJenny, I never had braces and I still prefer penne over spaghetti! 😀 And this looks pretty and delicious!
creativejewishmom/sara says
January 11, 2016 at 5:20 amEveryone needs to know how to make a basic great tasting pasta dish for those times when surprise guests show up around meal time! Thanks for sharing on craft schooling sunday!
Laurie says
January 12, 2016 at 8:46 pmPinning and tweeting to share! Thank you for sharing your recipe with us at Snickerdoodle Sunday!
~Laurie
Laurie says
January 12, 2016 at 8:48 pmPinning and tweeting to share! Thank you for sharing with us at Snickerdoodle Sunday
Renee Cook says
January 13, 2016 at 11:34 amthis looks so good! and not too heavy. can’t wait to try it 🙂
coolchillmom says
January 17, 2016 at 1:33 pmHappy new Year to your too and happy eating. Thanks for sharing at the #BestoftheBlogosphere
Dina | Savvyinthekitchen says
January 17, 2016 at 2:22 pmWow Yum!! This looks so delicious, and just what I need right now! Thank you for sharing on Tasty Tuesdays! I hope to see you next week:)
Lou Lou Girls says
January 18, 2016 at 4:00 pmHello fabulous! Just stopping by to let you know that your penne aglio will be featured at our party that starts tonight at 7 pm and goes until Friday @7 pm . Happy dance time! Pinned and tweeted. Thank you for bringing such an amazing dish to our party , I hope to see you tonight! Lou Lou Girls
Helen at the Lazy Gastronome says
August 9, 2017 at 8:25 amI love the addition of the lemon zest – makes it sound bright and wonderful! Thanks for sharing at the What’s for Dinner link up!
Jhuls says
August 12, 2017 at 8:05 amThe lemon zest addition must have made this dish super amazing! Thanks for sharing at Fiesta Friday party!
Miz Helen says
August 12, 2017 at 11:13 amWhat a great Penne recipe, it looks delicious. Thanks so much for sharing your post with us at Full Plate Thursday and have a great weekend!
Miz Helen
Erlene says
August 13, 2017 at 5:24 pmYum. This looks like a perfect light and meatless meal idea.
Erlene says
August 13, 2017 at 5:44 pmYummy! I love light pasta meals for a meatless night. Thanks for sharing your recipe on Merry Monday.
Petra says
August 16, 2017 at 9:08 amLove the flavors and great with a meat free recipe! Thanks for bringing this to Fiesta Friday 🙂
Carol, The Red Painted Cottage says
August 16, 2017 at 5:52 pmJenny, Just letting you know this yummy recipe is being featured at Share Your Style! Congratulations!
Jenny says
August 17, 2017 at 10:15 amThank you Carol!!
Shannon says
January 24, 2018 at 6:05 pmI omitted garlic. Added onion, red pepper, steamed broccoli, squeezed in 1/4 of a lemon’s juice right at the end. Finished with grated parm cheese. Delicious!
Mary Jo says
April 1, 2019 at 1:02 pmI Love this with asparagus and sun-dried tomatoes. I had it once in a restaurant years ago and have been making it ever since.