Aglio, Olio e Peperoncino Pasta – Simple, Authentic & Delicious Italian Recipe

Ready to travel straight to Naples from your own kitchen? Discover the secret of fettucce aglio, olio e peperoncino — a refined and essential pasta dish that elegantly blends fragrant garlic, velvety extra virgin olive oil, and fiery red chili peppers. A true gourmet journey into the Dolce Vita!

Pasta aglio, olio e peperoncino: the spicy elegance of Campania

Picture yourself in a small trattoria in Naples, with the aroma of garlic and chili drifting through the air. This dish turns an ordinary meal into a genuine moment of Italian gastronomy. Simple, refined, and deeply authentic, it embodies the art of Italian family cooking, where every gesture tells a story.

Discover our best Italian pasta recipes!

Want to surprise your friends and leave a lasting impression at the table? Elevate your Italian meals by exploring pasta recipes you may have never tried before. A practical and delicious selection to impress your guests around the table.

Discover our finest recipes and leave your guests speechless

Origin and tradition of this Italian recipe

Just like the Neapolitan pizza, pasta aglio, olio e peperoncino is an iconic dish from Naples, representing the "cucina povera" — the humble Italian peasant cuisine that turns simple ingredients into unforgettable delights. Here, just a few elements are enough: garlic, olive oil, and red chili peppers.

The recipe is simple yet requires care: sauté the garlic in extra virgin olive oil until golden and fragrant, then add the chili to enhance the flavor. Toss everything together with perfectly al dente fettucce, sometimes adding a splash of cooking water to bind the sauce.

This dish shows how Italian tradition values simplicity: a few ingredients can create a rich and flavorful meal. That magic is what made pasta aglio, olio e peperoncino famous not only in Italy but all around the world.

Beloved for its speed and ease, it remains a favorite for home cooks and a staple in Italian restaurants. It’s a reminder that Italian gastronomy is, above all, the art of elevating the essentials while honoring culinary traditions.

Read also: Top 17 Most Famous Italian Pastas in Italy and Beyond!

Here’s the authentic recipe for fettucce aglio, olio e peperoncino from Casa Bandera, with simple ingredients and all the steps to recreate this spicy, flavorful dish at home. A true invitation to discover Italian culinary heritage and share a warm moment with the famiglia.

1 Bring hot salted water to the boil in a large saucepan. Plunge the fettucce into the boiling water. We'll cook the pasta in the pot for half the time indicated on the packet.

2 In a large frying pan, drizzle olive oil, add 1 fresh chili pepper and a clove of peeled garlic, crushed with a knife. Fry for a few minutes over medium heat.

3 When the pasta is half cooked, drain the fettucce, reserving several ladles of cooking water, and pour the pasta into the large frying pan. Pour in the remaining cooking water and toss. Add pieces of parsley.

4 Once the second half of the pasta cooking time has elapsed, serve the fettucce in a pasta plate, rolling them up with a ladle and pasta tongs. Add pieces of parsley and broken taralli on top. Finally, sprinkle with the pecorino romano and add the chilli on top.

Recommended Italian wine pairing?

To pair with pasta aglio, olio e peperoncino, a Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi, with its freshness and notes of citrus and almond, will perfectly balance the spicy and garlicky flavors of the dish. Discover our selection of best Italian wines.

Buon Appetito !

Our Mouthwatering Pasta Recipes!

Discover secret Italian recipes to create delicious and unforgettable dishes. Quick, easy, and tasty: your dinner will get applause from everyone!

Discover our pasta recipes that will impress

Chef Valentin

I share my famiglia’s culinary heritage so you too can amaze your loved ones with simple and authentic Italian recipes.

Casa Bandera, your place at our table