Spaghetti Aglio E Olio Recipe for A Crowd

Spaghetti Aglio e Olio Recipe for a Crowd: A Delicious and Easy Pasta Dish For 4 to 100 People

Are you looking for a simple, yet delicious pasta recipe that can feed a crowd? Look no further than Spaghetti Aglio e Olio, a classic Italian dish that translates to “spaghetti with garlic and oil.”

This recipe is perfect for large gatherings, as it is easy to make and can be prepared in advance if you have 50 to 100  people or more.

I had 60 people over for an outdoor lunch the other day and I made the pasta the day before and used the oven to warm it and create a dish that was a hit. I served it with garlic bread and I have to say it was a “winner-winner – pasta dinner!”

In this article, we will provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to make Spaghetti Aglio e Olio for a crowd, as well as some tips on how to customize the recipe to suit your taste.

Perfectly Cooked Spaghetti Aglio E Olio Recipe for A a Big Group of People
Perfectly Cooked Spaghetti Aglio E Olio Recipe for A a Big Group of People

What are the Ingredients for Spaghetti Aglio e Olio for a crowd

First, you’ll need spaghetti noodles, cloves of garlic, extra-virgin olive oil, crushed red-pepper flakes, and chopped fresh parsley for garnish.

You can also get creative with ingredients like anchovies, grated cheese or mushrooms if your crowd likes them. You’ll also need salt and pepper for flavor!

Finally, you’ll need grated Parmesan cheese for topping the finished dish.

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/What Equipment Do You Need To Make Spaghetti Aglio e Olio For A Crowd

  • Large pot for cooking spaghetti
  • Large skillet for making Aglio e Olio sauce
  • Colander for draining spaghetti
  • Large serving dish for combining spaghetti and sauce
Ingredients For Spaghetti Aglio E Olio Recipe for upto 100 People
Ingredients For Spaghetti Aglio E Olio Recipe for upto 100 People

Recipe to Make Spaghetti Aglio e Olio for 25 People

To make Spaghetti Aglio e Olio for a crowd, you will need:

  • 5 lbs of spaghetti
  • 1 ½ cups of extra-virgin olive oil
  • 8 garlic cloves, peeled and sliced thinly
  • 2 teaspoons of red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 cup of finely chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese

Preparation

Before you start cooking, make sure you have all the ingredients and equipment you need. You can also prep some of the ingredients in advance to save time. Here’s what you can do:

  • Peel and slice the garlic
  • Chop the parsley
  • Grate the Parmesan cheese
  • Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil

How To make Tomato Spaghetti Recipe for 50 People

Cooking Spaghetti

Once the water is boiling, add salt and the spaghetti. Cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions or until al dente (cooked but still firm to the bite). Make sure to stir the spaghetti occasionally to prevent it from sticking together.

See exactly how to make spaghetti for a crowd.

When the spaghetti is cooked, drain it in a colander and rinse it with cold water to stop the cooking process. Set it aside.

Making Aglio e Olio Sauce

While the spaghetti is cooking, you can make the Aglio e Olio sauce. Here’s how:

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add the sliced garlic and red pepper flakes to the skillet.
  3. Cook the garlic and red pepper flakes for 2-3 minutes, or until the garlic is lightly golden. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it will become bitter.
  4. Remove the skillet from the heat and let it cool for a minute or two.
  5. Add the chopped parsley to the skillet and stir to combine.

Combining Spaghetti and Sauce

Once the spaghetti and Aglio e Olio sauce are ready, it’s time to combine them. Here’s how:

  1. Transfer the cooked spaghetti to a large serving dish.
  2. Pour the Aglio e Olio sauce over the spaghetti and toss well to coat.
  3. Add the grated Parmesan cheese to the serving dish and toss again.

This is similar to the Ina Garten Recipe.

Serving and Garnishing

Spaghetti Aglio e Olio is best served immediately. You can garnish it with some additional parsley and Parmesan cheese, if you like.

A Handy Table With The Exact Amounts of Ingredients for Spaghetti Aglio E Olio Recipe From 4 to 100 People

People48122550100
Olive Oil (oz)1.923.845.76122448
Garlic Diced (oz)0.320.640.96248
Parmesan (Shredded) (oz)1.282.563.8481632
Spaghetti (lbs)0.81.62.451020
Salt (To Taste) (oz)0.160.320.48124
Pepper (Tp Taste) (oz)0.320.640.96248
Red Pepper Flakes (Optional)0.320.640.96248
Parsley – Chopped0.641.281.924816
A Handy Chart For 4 to 100 People – Exact Amounts Of Ingredients

Tips for Customizing the Recipe

Spaghetti Aglio e Olio is a versatile dish that can be customized to suit your taste. Here are some ideas:

  • Add some cooked shrimp or chicken to
  • Use lemon slices to cut through the oil-rich sauce

How to Store Leftover Aglio E Olio

If you cooked too much Spaghetti Aglio E Olio, you can easily store it for later meals. Spaghetti Aglio E Olio should always be stored in an airtight container in the fridge.

When storing leftovers, make sure to cool your dish completely before refrigerating all the ingredients together.

Another way to prevent spoilage is to divide your dish into smaller portions and store them separately. That way, you’ll be able to take out one portion at a time and avoid waste while still enjoying delicious meals with minimal effort!

How to Reheat Leftover Aglio E Olio

Reheating leftovers of your spaghetti aglio e olio can be done in a few simple steps. Reheating the noodles in the sauce helps restore that delicious garlic and oil flavor.

First, put the leftover aglio e olio in an oven-safe dish and preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake the pasta for 10-15 minutes, stirring the contents once or twice while it reheats.

Or you can also reheat in your microwave using a medium heat setting for only 1-2 minutes, depending on how much you have left. Be careful not to overcook it!

Making sure all ingredients are arranged evenly when reheating is also important because this keeps the flavors balanced.

When warming up your leftover Aglio E Olio, try adding some butter or olive oil before heating it up to make the strands glossy and silky again. A few drops of lemon juice or vinegar can also help revive its intense flavor! 

How Can I Make My Aglio Olio Taste Better

You can start by using extra-virgin olive oil and adding plenty of garlic, red pepper flakes, Parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, and lemon juice. Each one of these ingredients adds a unique flavor to the dish that your guests won’t soon forget.

You can also season your Aglio E Olio with freshly ground black pepper and some smoked paprika for an unexpected smoky depth of flavor. With the right flavor additions, you’ll wow your guests every time!

What Should I Partner My Aglio Olio With

Side dishes that go well are crunchy salad greens, roasted vegetables and crusty rustic bread.

Or if you want to go with more finger food-style appetizers, try crostini smothered in goat cheese, bruschetta and small meatballs drenched in marinara sauce.

You could also choose lighter fare as sides like steamed asparagus or salmon accompanied by boiled potatoes and capers. Whatever types of sides you pick, they’re sure to enhance the flavors of your spaghetti aglio e olio dish!

How Do You Make Aglio Olio Not Bland

Mild-flavored pasta like spaghetti aglio olio can be incredibly tasty if prepared the right way. With a few simple techniques, you can make an amazing aglio olio that will get your guests asking for seconds!

To start, you’ll want to use high-quality pasta and extra virgin olive oil. Making sure you have the best ingredients is essential to a flavorful dish.

Next, you’ll need to add plenty of garlic and dried chili pepper flakes while sautéing, so it’s full of flavour. Don’t forget to season with lots of salt and pepper and squeeze some lemon juice over the pasta just before serving!

Finally, adding parsley at the end gives a nice refreshing touch to balance out all the other flavors in your aglio olio recipe. To give it more texture, fry a few croutons in butter insert them at the end – they are delicious and crunchy!

What Type of Olive Oil Is Best for Aglio Olio

The best type of olive oil for a spaghetti aglio e olio recipe is the best quality extra virgin olive oil you can find. Extra virgin olive oil has more flavor, is fresher, and is more fragrant than other types of olive oil.

Extra virgin olive oil can range in flavor from peppery to fruity depending on where it’s from and its harvest season, as well as how it was processed. With more intense flavors, you’ll get a more complete and flavorful experience from your spaghetti aglio e olio!

In general, high-quality extra-virgin oils are the most popular choice for aglio e olio pasta recipes. Look for those labeled “cold pressed” or “first cold pressed” because these indicate that the olives were gently processed with no heat to preserve their flavor.

What Should the Perfect Aglio Olio Taste Like

The taste of perfect Aglio E Olio is all in the combination of garlic and olive oil. It should have a nice balance between spicy and savory without overwhelming your taste buds.
When making Aglio E Olio for a crowd, you don’t want to skimp on quality ingredients because low-quality ingredients will affect the flavor drastically!

Conclusion

So the next time you have to feed a crowd, give this tasty Spaghetti Aglio e Olio recipe a try. It’s super easy to make, uses simple ingredients you can find anywhere, and requires very little effort. Plus, it won’t break the bank, either. With a few tweaks here and there, you can make this scrumptious Italian pasta dish appeal to even the pickiest eaters! Hopefully, with these tips, you’ll be able to successfully impress your guests without stressing yourself out.