Fettuccine aglio e olio with sun-dried tomatoes

Sun-dried tomatoes are just regular tomatoes that have been dried under the sun to remove the water. So what you get is pure tomato flavor.

In the grocery, this Italian cooking ingredient is sold dried or soaked in olive oil usually with added herbs and spices. If you get the kind soaked in oil, you may use the flavor-packed oil in lieu of plain olive oil to make this pasta dish.

A tip: While it is always the best practice to add salt to the water in which the pasta will cook, in the case of pasta aglio e olio, you need to add more salt than usual. The pasta will just be tossed in the garlicky oil after it cooks. It will not simmer in sauce where it will finish cooking. So, flavor it generously.

So, “salted water” in the cooking instructions doesn’t mean water with a pinch of salt added to it. I mean, really salted water — like one tablespoon salt for every liter and a half of water.

Fettuccine aglio e olio with sun-dried tomatoes

Connie Veneracion

The classic Italian spaghetti aglio e olio has only three basic ingredients: pasta, olive oil and garlic. In this variation, sun-dried tomatoes and fresh basil are added for more flavor and color.

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Prep Time 5 mins

Cook Time 12 mins

Total Time 17 mins

Course Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack

Cuisine Italian

Servings 4 people

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• ▢ 200 grams spaghetti - (or the usual amount you’d cook for four)
• ▢ salt
• ▢ 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• ▢ 4 tablespoons minced garlic
• ▢ 4 tablespoons chopped sun-dried tomatoes
• ▢ juice of half a lemon
• ▢ 1 small handful roughly chopped parsley
• ▢ 1 small handful finely sliced basil
• ▢ grated Parmesan cheese - to serve

Instructions

 

• Cook the pasta in salted boiling water.
• Meanwhile, while the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a pan.
• Over medium heat, cook the garlic until lightly browned.
• Add the sun-dried tomatoes and cook, stirring, for another 30 seconds.
• Off the heat, taste and add more salt, if needed.
• Divide the pasta among four shallow bowls, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and serve.

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Keyword Pasta