Make This for Dinner When You Swear There’s Nothing To Eat

The original pantry meal—you can whip it up with almost no notice.

By
Dan Pelosi
Dan Pelosi
Dan Pelosi
Dan Pelosi is a cookbook author and the mastermind behind GrossyPelosi, the popular Instagram favorite for all things comfort and food. His first cookbook, Let's Eat, is a New York Times Best Seller. His work has been featured in The New York Times, Food & Wine, Bustle, Vice, The Washington Post, Simply Recipes, and more.
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Published November 05, 2024
Dan Pelosi
Two plated portions of spaghetti aglio e olio

Simply Recipes / Photo by Andrew Bui / Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne

My family knows how to stock a pantry. Dad kept our basement pantry solidly stocked, and I certainly inherited the gene. It originated with Bimpy, my grandfather, whose basement was always like a proper NYC bodega, with shelves stocked to the brim when he was still able to race up and down the stairs.

We would joke that if the world ended, we would survive the longest because of our collective pantries. You might say I put that theory to the test when March 2020’s lockdown began, and, well, here we are.

For all my fellow pantry queens out there, I’m happy to present the original pantry meal: aglio e olio. Bimpy and Grandma Katherine, my grandmother, would whip up this dish the second anyone passed through their doors because they had everything for the dish on hand at all times—and I bet you do, too. (And if you’re missing something, substitute it or leave it out!)

Olive oil, garlic, and anchovies are the foundation, and then you can throw in anything else that makes sense, like pitted olives or seared scallops as a special treat. This recipe is the perfect starting place, but it’s truly the most flexible, customizable, ready-in-a-flash comfort meal possible!

Pouring spaghetti aglio e olio from a skillet to a plate

Simply Recipes / Photo by Andrew Bui / Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne

Spaghetti Aglio e Olio

Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 15 mins
Total Time 20 mins
Servings 2 servings

Reprinted with permission from Let’s Eat: 101 Recipes to Fill Your Heart & Home by Dan Pelosi © 2023. Published by Union Square & Co. Photography © Andrew Bui.

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Ingredients

  • Kosher salt

  • 1/2 pound long pasta, such as spaghetti, linguini, fettuccini, or bucatini

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

  • 4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced

  • 4 anchovy fillets

  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

  • 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter

  • Juice of 1 lemon

  • 1 cup pitted Castelvetrano olives, halved

  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan or pecorino cheese, plus more for serving

  • 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs

  • 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley or 2 tablespoons dried parsley

Method

  1. Cook the pasta:

    Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until al dente according to the package directions. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water, then drain.

  2. Cook the garlic and anchovies:

    Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. When the oil is shimmering, add the garlic, anchovies, black pepper, and pepper flakes. Cook, stirring to break up the anchovies, until the garlic begins to brown, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat until the pasta is done cooking.

  3. Toss pasta and serve:

    Return the skillet to medium heat and add the pasta, butter, lemon juice, olives, and 1/4 cup of the reserved pasta water. Use tongs to toss and coat the pasta. Slowly add the Parmesan, tossing to combine. Continue to add the reserved pasta water, 1/4 cup at a time, as needed to create a thick sauce. Remove the skillet from the heat.

    Taste for seasoning, then top with the breadcrumbs and parsley. Serve immediately with more Parmesan.

    Love the recipe? Leave us stars and a comment below!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
645 Calories
52g Fat
32g Carbs
15g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 2
Amount per serving
Calories 645
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 52g 67%
Saturated Fat 21g 107%
Cholesterol 91mg 30%
Sodium 1483mg 64%
Total Carbohydrate 32g 12%
Dietary Fiber 4g 13%
Total Sugars 1g
Protein 15g
Vitamin C 13mg 63%
Calcium 334mg 26%
Iron 4mg 25%
Potassium 252mg 5%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.