Flavorful Classic Aglio e Olio Pasta
Simple and Delicious Oil-Based Pasta Recipe
Enjoy a satisfying plate of spaghetti tossed with plenty of rich olive oil, featuring perfectly al dente noodles, tender king oyster mushrooms, and savory shrimp. This easy-to-follow recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight meal or an impressive dish for guests.
Ingredients
- Spaghetti pasta (1 serving)
- 1/2 King oyster mushroom
- A handful of dried or frozen small shrimp (like sakura shrimp or small prawns)
- Generous amount of olive oil (about 4-5 tablespoons)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
**Prepare the Ingredients:** Gather your ingredients: spaghetti for one serving, half a king oyster mushroom, a handful of small shrimp, plenty of olive oil, salt, and pepper. Wash the king oyster mushroom and slice it thinly into rounds, about 0.5 cm thick. If using dried shrimp, you can use them whole or finely chop them.
Step 2
**Cook the Pasta:** Fill a large pot with plenty of water and bring it to a rolling boil. Once boiling, add about 1/2 teaspoon of salt to the water. Carefully add the spaghetti, spreading it out so it doesn’t clump together. Cook for approximately 6 minutes, or about 1 minute less than the package instructions for al dente. Drain the pasta using a colander, but reserve about 1/4 cup of the pasta cooking water.
Step 3
**Sauté the Mushrooms:** Heat a small amount of cooking oil in a wide pan over medium-low heat. Add the sliced king oyster mushrooms, spreading them out in a single layer. Cook until they are golden brown and slightly crisp. Sautéing them until their moisture evaporates and they become slightly chewy is key to their texture.
Step 4
**Combine Pasta and Shrimp:** Once the mushrooms are nicely browned, push them to one side of the pan. Add a generous amount of olive oil (about 3-4 tablespoons) to the empty side of the pan. Add the small shrimp and sauté until they become fragrant. Once the shrimp are aromatic, add the cooked spaghetti and the sautéed mushrooms back into the pan. Toss everything together to coat the pasta with the oil and flavors for about 1-2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to your liking. (If the pasta seems too dry, gradually add a little of the reserved pasta water to achieve a silky sauce consistency).
Step 5
**Serve:** Plate the delicious oil pasta onto a serving dish. For an extra touch of richness and flavor, drizzle a little more olive oil over the pasta just before serving. You can also garnish with a sprinkle of parsley flakes or red pepper flakes for a hint of spice. Enjoy your homemade pasta!
