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Spaghetti Aglio e Olio with Sweet Garlic & Spicy Chili Crisp!

sweet and spicy pasta
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This Spaghetti Aglio e Olio with a Sweet Candied Garlic and Chili Crisp puts a bold, sweet-spicy spin on a beloved Italian classic. Thin spaghetti gets coated in garlicky olive oil, fiery chili crisp, and golden bits of candied garlic for a surprising burst of flavor. With simple pantry ingredients and a 30-minute cook time, it’s weeknight-friendly, comfort-filled, and totally craveable.

  • Author: Tara Hamrick
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 4

Ingredients

  • Spaghetti – 200g
  • Fresh garlic – 6 big cloves (thinly sliced)
  • Olive oil – 4 tbsp
  • Brown sugar – 1 tbsp (for candying)
  • Water – 1 tbsp (for candying)
  • Salt – 1 tsp (keep some more for pasta water)
  • Chili crisp – 2 tbsp (adjust to taste)
  • Optional: Chopped parsley or green onion for garnish

Instructions

Step 1: Boil the Pasta
Boil salted water, cook spaghetti till al dente, and save half a cup of that magical, starchy pasta water.

Step 2: Make the Candied Garlic
Sauté garlic with brown sugar, water, and oil on low heat until golden, sticky, and sweet-smelling like garlicky candy dreams.

Step 3: Sizzle That Chili Crisp
Heat oil, toss in garlic (if you’re bold), sizzle briefly, stir in chili crisp—don’t overcook or it’ll get grumpy.

Step 4: Toss It All Together
Add pasta to the chili oil, splash in pasta water, fold in candied garlic, toss like a boss, adjust heat.

Step 5: Serve Like a Rockstar
Plate it tall, sprinkle garnish if you’re fancy, and eat immediately while it’s still glossy, sticky, and screaming “main character energy.”

Notes

  • Quick Garlic Prep: Freeze a batch of peeled garlic cloves for 10 minutes – the skins slip right off! I even candy extra cloves in oil and keep them in a jar. That way spicy garlic is ready whenever I need it.

  • Flavor Boost: Leftover chili crisp? Add extra, or just stir in a pinch of red pepper flakes. One time I tossed chili crisp into mac & cheese – super fun!

  • Speedy Chef: Chop a bunch of garlic (and any chili) at once and stash it. Jarred minced garlic is OK in a pinch, too – no shame on busy nights!

  • Gluten-Free or Veggie Swap: Use brown rice or chickpea pasta, or swap noodles for zucchini “zoodles.” For more quick swaps, check out my 15 Easy 15-Minute Dinners page.

  • One-Pan Cleanup: After draining the pasta, toss it back into the pan with the saucy oil. The noodles soak up extra flavor and you end up with fewer dishes (mom secret!)

  • 🍋 Add a Zing: A squeeze of lemon juice or a sprinkle of fresh parsley just before serving makes all the flavors pop. I love that bright finish!

Nutrition

Find it online: https://tarastreats.com/spaghetti-aglio-e-olio-with-sweet-garlic-spicy-chili-crisp/