3-Ingredient One-Pan Aglio e Olio (Korean Twist)

One-Pan Aglio e Olio (Korean Twist)

A simple pasta you can make anytime with just a few ingredients.

It’s cozy, flavorful, and you only need one pan.

This has been my go-to quick meal.

Ingredients

120g spaghetti (or any pasta)
8 cloves garlic, thinly sliced (or 1 Tbsp minced garlic)
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 Tbsp tuna fish sauce (optional, but adds great depth)
Dried chili or peperoncino (to taste)
Salt & black pepper

Step 1: Make the Garlic Oil

Slice the garlic and cut the dried chili. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium-low and gently cook the garlic until it becomes fragrant. Add the chili and a small pinch of salt. Keep the heat gentle — the garlic shouldn’t brown too quickly.

Step 2: Cook the Pasta in the Same Pan

Pour 2 cups (480 ml) of water right into the pan. Add the pasta directly — no need to boil it separately. As the pasta softens, stir occasionally so it cooks evenly. Add half a tablespoon of tuna fish sauce to bring out a deep, savory flavor. As the pasta cooks, the starch naturally blends with the oil and creates a smooth sauce that coats the noodles beautifully. Taste and adjust with a little salt and black pepper.

Step 3: Finish & Serve

Turn off the heat while a bit of sauce still remains. Drizzle a touch more olive oil if you’d like a richer finish. A little parsley is nice too. You can plate it — but eating straight from the pan just feels right… and fewer dishes to wash. Simple, warm, and full of flavor.