This simple yet flavorful dish combines the robust flavors of garlic and chile de arbol with the comforting texture of spaghetti. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a special occasion, this recipe brings a touch of heat and a burst of freshness with every bite.
If you're not familiar with chile de arbol, it's a small, potent Mexican chili pepper that adds a spicy kick to dishes. You can find it in the spice or international aisle of most supermarkets. Make sure to handle it with care, as it can be quite spicy.

Ingredients For Spaghetti With Garlic And Chile De Arbol
Spaghetti: A type of pasta made from durum wheat, perfect for absorbing the flavors of the sauce.
Garlic: Adds a rich, aromatic flavor to the dish.
Chile de arbol: Provides a spicy kick; handle with care.
Olive oil: Used to sauté the garlic and chile, adding a smooth, fruity base.
Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the dish.
Freshly ground black pepper: Adds a touch of heat and complexity.
Parmesan cheese: Grated over the top for a savory finish.
Fresh parsley: Chopped and sprinkled for a burst of color and freshness.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When cooking spaghetti, make sure to use a large pot with plenty of boiling salted water. This helps the pasta cook evenly and prevents it from sticking together. For the garlic, slice it thinly to ensure it cooks quickly and evenly, turning golden brown without burning. When working with chile de arbol, you can adjust the heat level by removing some or all of the seeds before cooking. Finally, always toss the cooked spaghetti in the garlic and chile oil while it's still hot to ensure it absorbs all the flavors.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
spaghetti - Substitute with linguine: Linguine has a similar texture and cooking time, making it a good alternative.
spaghetti - Substitute with zucchini noodles: For a low-carb option, zucchini noodles provide a similar shape and can be cooked quickly.
garlic - Substitute with shallots: Shallots offer a milder flavor but still provide a similar aromatic quality.
garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: If fresh garlic is unavailable, garlic powder can provide a similar flavor, though it lacks the texture.
chile de arbol - Substitute with red pepper flakes: Red pepper flakes offer a similar heat level and are more commonly available.
chile de arbol - Substitute with cayenne pepper: Cayenne pepper provides a similar spiciness but should be used sparingly as it is more potent.
olive oil - Substitute with grapeseed oil: Grapeseed oil has a neutral flavor and a high smoke point, making it a good alternative for cooking.
olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a mild flavor and is rich in healthy fats, suitable for cooking at high temperatures.
parmesan cheese - Substitute with pecorino romano: Pecorino Romano has a similar texture and a slightly saltier taste, making it a good alternative.
parmesan cheese - Substitute with nutritional yeast: For a vegan option, nutritional yeast provides a cheesy flavor without dairy.
parsley - Substitute with cilantro: Cilantro offers a fresh, vibrant flavor that can complement the dish similarly to parsley.
parsley - Substitute with basil: Basil provides a different but equally aromatic flavor that can enhance the dish.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This Dish
How to Store/Freeze This Dish
- Allow the spaghetti to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation, which can make the pasta soggy.
- Transfer the cooled spaghetti to an airtight container. Ensure the container is sealed tightly to maintain freshness.
- Store the container in the refrigerator. The spaghetti will stay fresh for up to 3-4 days.
- For freezing, portion the spaghetti into individual servings. This makes it easier to reheat only what you need.
- Place each portion into a freezer-safe bag or container. Remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.
- Label the bags or containers with the date. This helps you keep track of how long the spaghetti has been stored.
- Freeze the spaghetti for up to 2 months. Beyond this, the texture and flavor may begin to degrade.
- To reheat refrigerated spaghetti, place it in a skillet with a splash of olive oil or water. Heat over medium until warmed through.
- For frozen spaghetti, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat using the same method as refrigerated spaghetti.
- Alternatively, you can reheat frozen spaghetti directly from the freezer. Place it in a skillet with a bit of olive oil and cover. Heat over low, stirring occasionally, until fully thawed and warmed through.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Stovetop Method:
- Place a skillet over medium heat and add a splash of olive oil.
- Once the oil is warm, add the leftover spaghetti with garlic and chile de arbol.
- Toss the spaghetti gently to reheat evenly, ensuring the garlic and chile de arbol do not burn.
- If the pasta seems dry, add a tablespoon of water or chicken broth to help loosen it up.
- Heat until the spaghetti is warmed through, then serve immediately.
Microwave Method:
- Place the leftover spaghetti in a microwave-safe dish.
- Add a splash of water or olive oil to keep the pasta from drying out.
- Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap, leaving a small corner open to vent.
- Microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating.
- Check the temperature and heat in additional 30-second intervals if necessary until the spaghetti is hot.
Oven Method:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the leftover spaghetti in an oven-safe dish and cover with aluminum foil.
- Add a splash of water or olive oil to the pasta to prevent it from drying out.
- Bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until the spaghetti is heated through.
- Remove the foil for the last 5 minutes of baking if you prefer a slightly crispy texture on top.
Steaming Method:
- Set up a steamer basket over a pot of simmering water.
- Place the leftover spaghetti in the steamer basket.
- Cover and steam for about 5-7 minutes, or until the spaghetti is heated through.
- Toss the pasta gently to ensure even heating before serving.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Large pot: Used to cook the spaghetti in boiling salted water until al dente.
Skillet: Used to heat the olive oil and cook the garlic and chile de arbol until the garlic is golden brown.
Colander: Used to drain the cooked spaghetti.
Tongs: Used to toss the cooked spaghetti in the garlic and chile oil.
Garlic slicer: Used to thinly slice the garlic cloves.
Grater: Used to grate the parmesan cheese.
Measuring cup: Used to measure the olive oil.
Knife: Used to chop the fresh parsley.
Cutting board: Used as a surface for slicing garlic and chopping parsley.
Serving bowl: Used to serve the finished spaghetti dish.
How to Save Time on Making This Dish
Prep ingredients ahead: Slice the garlic and chop the parsley in advance to save time during cooking.
Use pre-grated cheese: Opt for pre-grated parmesan cheese to cut down on prep time.
Boil water early: Start boiling the water for the spaghetti while you prep other ingredients.
Multitask: Cook the garlic and chile de arbol while the spaghetti is boiling to streamline the process.
Use a large skillet: A large skillet allows you to toss the spaghetti more efficiently, ensuring even coating with the garlic and chile oil.

Spaghetti With Garlic And Chile De Arbol
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 400 g Spaghetti
- 4 cloves Garlic thinly sliced
- 6 Chile de arbol dried
- 60 ml Olive oil
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper freshly ground
- 30 g Parmesan cheese grated
- 1 handful Fresh parsley chopped
Instructions
- 1. Cook the spaghetti in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- 2. In a skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and chile de arbol, and cook until the garlic is golden brown.
- 3. Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet and toss to coat in the garlic and chile oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- 4. Serve the spaghetti topped with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Desserts for This Recipe
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