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!
Happy New Year everyone! I had an uneventful New Year’s Eve celebration thanks to a final hour cold I developed the morning of the 31st. Instead of champagne and party bites, I noshed on cold medication and chicken noodle soup.
Not every year is going to end with a bang, and I am okay with that.
My cold didn’t quite quit when I was ready for it to, but life must go on. And we must eat.
Like most of the world, we are on a quest to eat healthier in 2016 (at least for January haha) but my cold is making me delay my healthy recipe plans and ideas. Instead, easy and quick meals it is!
If you are looking for an easy and delicious pasta side, or a fast meatless Monday idea… this is it!
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.
Penne Aglio e Olio
Ingredients
- 1 pound uncooked penne
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic (approximately 6 cloves)
- 1/2 tablespoon crushed red pepper
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 cup diced fresh parsley
- lemon zest
Instructions
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.
Notes
Nutrition Information:
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 447 Total Fat: 19g Saturated Fat: 3g Cholesterol: 0mg Sodium: 237mg Fiber: 3g Sugar: 2g Protein: 10g
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- Need a skillet?
- There can never be enough one-pot meals.
- Artisan dinner plates.
Looking for more easy recipes? Try my spicy sausage skillet recipe or this cheesy tomato pasta skillet!
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Michelle @ The Complete Savorist says
I 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
Aglio e olio is what we grew up on. Love the simple and delicious combination with any pasta type!
Megan | Allergy Free Alaska says
What 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
Aglio e olio is one of my faves! I love that you switched it up and used penne!
Kristyn says
What an easy but still delicious weeknight meal!
Chandra@The Plaid & Paisley Kitchen says
I 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
Simple 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
Jenny, I never had braces and I still prefer penne over spaghetti! 😀 And this looks pretty and delicious!
creativejewishmom/sara says
Everyone 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
Pinning and tweeting to share! Thank you for sharing your recipe with us at Snickerdoodle Sunday!
~Laurie
Laurie says
Pinning and tweeting to share! Thank you for sharing with us at Snickerdoodle Sunday
Renee Cook says
this looks so good! and not too heavy. can’t wait to try it 🙂
coolchillmom says
Happy new Year to your too and happy eating. Thanks for sharing at the #BestoftheBlogosphere
Dina | Savvyinthekitchen says
Wow 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
Hello 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
I 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
The lemon zest addition must have made this dish super amazing! Thanks for sharing at Fiesta Friday party!
Miz Helen says
What 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
Yum. This looks like a perfect light and meatless meal idea.
Erlene says
Yummy! I love light pasta meals for a meatless night. Thanks for sharing your recipe on Merry Monday.
Petra says
Love the flavors and great with a meat free recipe! Thanks for bringing this to Fiesta Friday 🙂
Carol, The Red Painted Cottage says
Jenny, Just letting you know this yummy recipe is being featured at Share Your Style! Congratulations!
Jenny says
Thank you Carol!!
Shannon says
I 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!