Spaghetti Aglio e Olio with Vegetables

Spaghetti Aglio e Olio is a classic Italian recipe consisting of spaghetti tossed in a garlic infused olive oil pasta sauce, sometimes with red pepper flakes for a pinch of spicy. This veggie-loaded version is easy to make and full of healthy vegetables like broccoli rabe, roasted red peppers, and sun-dried tomatoes. This classically vegan and vegetarian dish comes together in under 30 minutes and is the perfect recipe for date night or a dinner party. This post is sponsored by our friends at Botticelli Foods!

Spaghetti Aglio e Olio is a classic Italian recipe consisting of spaghetti tossed in a garlic infused olive oil pasta sauce, sometimes with red pepper flakes for a pinch of spicy. This veggie-loaded version is easy to make and full of healthy vegetables like broccoli rabe, roasted red peppers, and sun-dried tomatoes. This classically vegan and vegetarian dish comes together in under 30 minutes and is the perfect recipe for date night or a dinner party.

This post contains affiliate links. As Amazon Associates, we earn a small commission from qualifying purchases (at no cost to you). We are also affiliates of wine.com and may earn a commission if you choose to purchase through our links. Click here to read our full policy about affiliate links. Thank you for shopping our affiliate links, as it helps us keep the free vegan recipes coming your way!

When I was younger, my parents used to take my four brothers and me to this little, local Italian restaurant for spaghetti and meatballs. 

The owner would always come out to chat with us, and one week he overheard me say โ€œIโ€™m tired of the same old spaghetti and meatballs.โ€ He asked me if I liked garlic, and, of course, I said yes, (Iโ€™ve always LOVED garlic!). 

He responded, โ€œThen youโ€™re going to love this! Itโ€™s my personal favorite. Spaghetti aglio e olio.โ€ And then he closed his eyes, breathed in deeply, and smiled. I understood spaghetti, but my ten-year-old self had no idea what else he was saying.


He brought out the dish himself to explain that aglio e olio meant โ€œgarlic and oilโ€, and you could add almost anything else to it. I was hooked the minute I smelled it. That heavy aroma of garlic just filled the air as it rose with the steam. With the first bite, it became my personal favorite too. And I think it might just become yours as well.

Save this recipe!

Add your email below to to get this recipe and more right in your inbox!

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Click here to Pin this recipe for later.

FAQ: Is spaghetti aglio olio vegetarian?

The traditional recipe for spaghetti aglio e olio is vegetarian. It only really requires minced garlic, olive oil, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Some people will add parmesan, which is easily omitted or just use a vegan version!

Overhead shot of the ingredients you need to make Spaghetti Aglio e Olio with Vegetables: Botticelli Extra Virgin Olive Oil, spaghetti, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, roasted red peppers, sun dried tomatoes, broccoli rabe, minced garlic, and sliced black olives

Aglio Olio Ingredients

Most traditional aglio e olio recipes call for 3-6 simple ingredients, like:

  • Spaghetti – Linguine or other pasta can also be used. Gluten-free pasta should work too, depending on the brand.ย 
  • Botticelli Extra Virgin Olive Oil – Donโ€™t skimp here; get the GOOD stuff! We recommend Botticelliโ€ฆmore on that below!
  • Garlic cloves – Minced or thinly sliced (many traditional recipes call for thinly sliced)
  • Red pepper flakes – Optional but awesome to add spiciness!
  • Salt + Pepper

Our veggie-loaded version uses all of the above + the following add-ins:

  • Broccoli rabe – Chopped. This dish is PERFECT with broccoli rabe, but broccoli florets and broccolini will also work.
  • Roasted red peppers – Sliced
  • Sun dried tomatoes – We use dehydrated sun dried tomatoes, rehydrate them in some hot water, and reserve about 3 Tbsp of it to use in the sauce.ย 
  • Black olives – Sliced
The brand of olive oil you use in Aglio e Olio is a crucial choice. We love the Extra Virgin Olive Oil from Botticelli Foods because itโ€™s made from the highest quality olives from exclusive regions in the Mediterranean. It adds some seriously BIG flavor to this dish which makes the whole experience simply decadent - like youโ€™re eating at a restaurant in your own home!

The Best Olive Oil for Aglio e Olio

The brand of olive oil you use in Aglio e Olio is a crucial choice. We love the Extra Virgin Olive Oil from Botticelli Foods because itโ€™s made from the highest quality olives from exclusive regions in the Mediterranean. It adds some seriously BIG flavor to this dish which makes the whole experience simply decadent – like youโ€™re eating at a restaurant in your own home!

Aside from the unmatched quality of their products (And side note: They also make a Vegan Bolognese which is downright spectacular!), Botticelli Foods prides itself on bringing you the highest quality and most authentic Italian flavors which is EXACTLY what you need for a soul-warming bowl of Aglio e Olio like this.

FAQ: Can I use cooking oil for aglio olio? As discussed above, you want to ensure youโ€™re using a good, quality olive oil like Botticelli when making this pasta dish. The weight of the flavor is really carried by the olive oil, so I would not suggest using vegetable oil or canola oil when making spaghetti aglio e olio.

Overhead shot of a plate of spaghetti aglio e olio with broccoli rabe, roasted red peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, and black olives. A fork rests on the side of the plate.

How to Make Vegetarian Aglio e Olio

This Vegetarian Aglio e Olio recipe is so easy to make in 5 simple steps and under 30 minutes. (Make sure you have your veggies chopped ahead of time because once the process begins, it goes fast!)

Two photos side by side showing the first two steps to making Veggie Aglio e Olio: First, cook your paste. Next, blanch the broccoli rabe.

Step 1: First, cook the pasta according to package directions but do not rinse. If youโ€™re using a removable colander, leave the pasta water and use it to blanch the broccoli rabe next.

Step 2: Next, bring a large pot of salted water (about 6-8 cups) to a boil, and blanch the chopped broccoli rabe for 1-1ยฝ minutes. Drain and tamp dry with a paper towel.

Three side by side photos showing the steps to making vegan aglio e olio: The first shows garlic toasting in a pot of olive oil, the second shows vegetables like broccoli rabe, roasted red peppers, and sun-dried tomatoes mixed into the garlic and olive oil, the last photo shows this veggie mix tossed with spaghetti

Step 3: Then, combine the Botticelli Extra Virgin Olive Oil, garlic, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper in a large saute pan and turn heat to medium-low. Let the garlic toast/brown slightly in the oil for about 5-7 minutes as the spices and flavors infuse the oil.

Step 4: Turn the heat to low, add broccoli rabe, roasted red peppers, and sun dried tomatoes as well as 3 tablespoons of the sun dried tomato liquid to the saute pan, toss to coat, and let cook in the pan for about 3-5 minutes.

Step 5: Finally, transfer pasta to a large bowl. Pour the contents of the saute pan over the pasta and fold gently to incorporate.

Troubleshooting Tips

Why is my aglio olio too oily? One reason your pasta may seem too oily is because youโ€™re rinsing it with water after straining it. Donโ€™t do this. The oil in the dish will separate the pasta when you fold in the ingredients. The unrinsed, starchier pasta will also absorb more of the oil, whereas it will just run off rinsed pasta (because oil and water donโ€™t mix) and collect at the bottom of the serving bowl.

Why is my aglio olio tasteless? Other than the obvious โ€œYou didnโ€™t add enough spicesโ€ a common reason aglio e olio might be tasteless is because youโ€™re heating the olive oil before adding the garlic, etc, or cooking at too high a temperature. Add the garlic, red pepper flakes, etc to the olive oil BEFORE turning the heat to a low temperature so the flavors have a chance to develop throughout the oil before the garlic starts to brown.

Head-on shot of a pile of spaghetti aglio e olio with vegetables on a plate with a fork digging in and twirling the pasta. A bottle of Botticelli Extra Virgin Olive Oil in the background.

What to Serve with Spaghetti Aglio e Olio

Serve this Aglio e Olio hot for the perfect pasta dinner. This recipe makes about 4-5 large servings, so itโ€™s perfect for date night + leftovers or a small dinner party!

FAQ: What do you eat with aglio olio? I just love serving the spaghetti aglio e olio with some good garlic bread made with our Vegan Cheese Seasoning. It may seem like garlic overload, but trust me, itโ€™s not. If you prefer a lighter side, try our Easy Vegan Caesar Salad. For a plant-based protein option, we love our Balsamic Tomato Tofu Cutlets or just toss in some drained and rinsed chickpeas.

Aglio Olio + Wine Pairing

A crisp Italian Pinot Grigio is the perfect wine pairing for this Veggie-Loaded Aglio e Olio. Nothing goes better with garlic, and the acidity will be a refreshing intermission between bites of the rich olive oil sauce. If youโ€™re looking for a great organic + vegan-friendly option, check out Ziobaffa.

How to Store Leftover Vegan Aglio Olio

Leftover Aglio e Olio stores well in the fridge in an air-tight container for up to 3 days. The flavor actually amps up over time, so it is a great option to make the day before. However, weโ€™ve found once you hit day 4, the broccoli rabe can get a bit wonky. 

To reheat, simply microwave or heat on the stove in a saute pan on low until warmed through, stirring often. If youโ€™re heating it up on the stove, adding 2 Tbsp of water can help steam the pasta and heat everything faster and more evenly. 

We do not recommend freezing leftover Aglio e Olio.

A head-on shot of a fork pulling spaghetti up over a pile of vegetarian aglio e olio with a bottle of Botticelli Extra Virgin Olive Oil in the background.

If you try this Vegetable Aglio e Olio recipe, let us know how it goes!

Weโ€™d love for you to rate the recipe and leave a comment below. It helps more people find it! 

And donโ€™t forget to tag us (@theplantpowercouple) AND our friends at Botticelli Foods (@botticellifoods) in your pasta-rific photos on Instagram. We love to celebrate your kitchen wins!

More Vegan Italian Recipes:

Spaghetti Aglio e Olio is a classic Italian recipe consisting of spaghetti tossed in a garlic infused olive oil pasta sauce, sometimes with red pepper flakes for a pinch of spicy. This veggie-loaded version is easy to make and full of healthy vegetables like broccoli rabe, roasted red peppers, and sun-dried tomatoes. This classically vegan and vegetarian dish comes together in under 30 minutes and is the perfect recipe for date night or a dinner party.

Spaghetti Aglio e Olio with Broccoli Rabe

Terrence Roche
Spaghetti Aglio e Olio is a classic Italian recipe consisting of spaghetti tossed in a garlic infused olive oil pasta sauce, sometimes with red pepper flakes for a pinch of spicy. This veggie-loaded version is easy to make and full of healthy vegetables like broccoli rabe, roasted red peppers, and sun-dried tomatoes.
5 from 2 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Vegan Dinner Recipes
Servings 6 servings
Calories 277 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb dry weight spaghetti
  • 1 bunch broccoli rabe chopped
  • 3/4 cup Botticelli Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 8-10 large garlic cloves minced
  • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 cup roasted red peppers sliced
  • 1/3 cup sun dried tomatoes sliced and rehydrated (reserve the liquid)
  • 1/3 cup black olives sliced

Instructions
 

  • COOK THE PASTA: Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain, do not rinse, and set aside. If youโ€™re using a removable colander, leave the pasta water and use it to blanch the broccoli rabe next.
  • BLANCH THE BROCCOLI RABE: Bring a large pot of salted water (about 6-8 cups) to a boil, and blanch the chopped broccoli rabe for 1-1 ยฝย  minutes. Drain and tamp dry with a paper towel.
  • TOAST THE GARLIC: Combine the Botticelli Extra Virgin Olive Oil, garlic, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper in a large saute pan and turn heat to medium-low. Let the garlic toast/brown slightly in the oil for about 5-7 minutes as the spices and flavors infuse the oil.
  • COOK THE VEGGIES: Turn the heat to low, add broccoli rabe, roasted red peppers, and sun dried tomatoes as well as 3 tablespoons of the sun dried tomato liquid to the saute pan, toss to coat, and let cook in the pan for about 3-5 minutes.
  • TOSS IT TOGETHER: Transfer pasta to a large bowl. Pour the contents of the saute pan over the pasta and fold gently to incorporate. Serve hot and enjoy!

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 277kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 1gFat: 29gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 24gSodium: 256mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2g
Keyword Aglio olio, aglio olio peperoncino, aglio olio vegan, broccoli aglio olio, easy aglio olio, healthy aglio olio recipe, pasta aglio e olio, spaghetti aglio e olio, spaghetti aglio olio recipe, spicy aglio olio recipe, vegetarian aglio olio
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Similar Posts

5 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating