Quick and easy, this delectable Spaghettini Italiano with Garlic, Chili, Oregano and Parmesan, has me wishing it was Meatless Monday everyday!
What is the meal that comes to mind if I ask you to name a dish that ‘takes you home’?
The recipe that immediately transports you to Grandma’s kitchen?
This is it for me.
It doesn’t look like much. A plate of pasta with some herbs, grated cheese and olive oil…
But this is the dish that takes me to Mema’s house.
Mema’s food was unpretentious, honest and homey. Her recipes were filled with haunting flavors that settled into my memory and never left.
Mema loved her hot peppers. The hotter, the better. And whenever my parents would bring her a massive bag of grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, you’d think she won the lottery.
We were never at a loss for fried green pepper sandwiches, a plate of spaghetti, locally made Italian bread, a hand or two of Canasta, or details about the latest ‘Luke & Laura’ storyline…
And although my attempts to recreate the flavors of my childhood seem to fall short of the flavors in my mind, the effort is gratifying.
It’s important to have meals like this at the ready…
Dishes that are:
- Easy to prepare
- Quick
- Comforting
- Aromatic
- Savory and delicious
What’s ‘your dish’? I’d love to know!
Buon Appetito!
PrintSpaghettini Italiano with Garlic, Chili, Oregano & Parmesan
- Category: Dinner
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
Quick and easy, this delectable Spaghettini Italiano with Garlic, Chili, Oregano and Parmesan, has me wishing it was Meatless Monday everyday!
Ingredients
- 1 lb. spaghettini (thin spaghetti)
- sea salt
- 2/3 cup olive oil
- 5 garlic cloves, sliced paper thin
- 2 – 3 dried chili peppers, seeded and crumbled, to taste
- 1 heaping Tbsp. dried oregano
- 3/4 – 1 cup grated Parmesan, divided
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in salted boiling water to al dente, about 6 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a large pan over low heat, fry the garlic and chili peppers in the oil.
- Remove the pan from the heat as soon as the garlic begins to turn golden; the sauce is ready.
- Drain the pasta and transfer to the frying pan containing the sauce.
- Carefully stir the spaghettini, oregano and 3/4 cup Parmesan so that every strand is covered with sauce.
- Serve immediately.
- Top with a little more cheese and red pepper.
- Enjoy!
CIAO!
Andrea Farr says
Yummm!!
Kendra says
Yum! I love the chili’s in this recipe! I like that it is simple but yet still so delicious! I am going to have to try this recipe this week! Love your blog!
Annie says
Thank you so much, Kendra!! 🙂
Andrea Farr says
So many delicious recipes!
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop says
I love how simple this pasta is! Grandma knew what she was doing! My favorite memory of my grandmother was that she was always baking something – bread or some delicious dessert!
Annie says
Beautiful memories…. Thank you, friend!
Katherine | Love In My Oven says
I think I would have liked your Mema 😉 I try to do meatless every Monday for the family, and I’m already lining up next Monday to feature this one! The kids never say no to pasta and my husband would be all over this!
Annie says
Aww! I love it! Enjoy, my friend!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
Oh, that Luke and Laura storyline, lol!! I remember! Love that your Mema loved spicy things too! I’d say pile on the heat 🙂 And you can never go wrong with a comforting plate-o-pasta, if you ask me! Cheers to a fabulous upcoming weekend, my friend. XOXO
Annie says
The hotter the better for Mema! She was an absolute hoot! Thank you, my friend! XOXO