Spicy Prawn Aglio E Olio | Kitchenstagram
This Prawn Aglio E Olio recipe combines the best of Italy and Spain in a quick, easy-to-make dish. With just five ingredients, this garlic and chili prawn pasta is ready in 20 minutes, making it perfect for a midweek dinner. The fresh flavours of Mediterranean cuisine shine through, creating a simple yet delicious meal. The light, flavourful sauce is one of the easiest you’ll ever make, ensuring a satisfying meal without the hassle. Whether for a busy weeknight or a cozy dinner, Prawn Aglio E Olio is a recipe you’ll want to keep handy!
What is Aglio E Olio sauce?
Aglio E Olio sauce is a classic Italian pasta dish originating from Naples, known for its simplicity and rich flavours. The sauce primarily consists of olive oil, chili flakes and parsley, with some reserved pasta water to create a smooth texture. It’s incredibly quick and easy to make, relying on high-quality ingredients for the best results. For an elevated version, adding shrimp or prawns enhances the dish. Optional but delightful, a sprinkle of parmesan adds extra richness. With minimal ingredients, aglio e olio proves that simplicity can be delicious.
Ingredients needed for Prawn Aglio E Olio:
For Prawn Aglio E Olio, the key to a delicious dish lies in the quality of your ingredients. The simplicity of the recipe calls for fresh and top-notch items. Here’s what you’ll need:
Prawn: Raw prawns are the star of this dish. For the best flavour, use medium or large prawns as they absorb seasonings better. Ensure they are de-shelled, de-headed and deveined prawns for convenience. Always wash the prawns thoroughly before cooking to maintain freshness and enhance the dish’s taste. Store the cleaned and washed prawns in your freezer for quick meal.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Extra Virgin Olive Oil forms the base of the dish, so make sure to use high-quality oil. Extra Virgin Olive Oil provides a rich and smooth texture to the sauce.
Garlic: Fresh garlic is essential for the dish, so don’t hold back. Use plenty of fresh garlic to infuse your oil with flavour.
Red Chili Flakes: For a spicy kick, red chili flakes enhances the flavour and bring heat to balance the garlic.
Salt: Salt is used to season the pawns and pasta, it enhances the overall flavour of the dish.
Spaghetti: Spaghetti is a classic choice for this dish,while other type of pasta like, linguine works well.
Pasta water: Pasta water, rich in starch from boiling, is a secret weapon for creating flavorful sauces. It enhances the taste and helps bind the sauce to the pasta, adding glossy finish. Always save 1/4 to 1 cup of pasta water, depending on the quantity, to blend everything smoothly and elevate your dish. Never toss it out- its key to a well-balanced, cohesive pasta dish.
Fresh Parsley Leaves & Stems: To enhance the dish’s freshness and to add a pop of colour, fresh Parsley leaves are added. Fresh parsley leaves and stems elevate the flavours beautifully.
Serving Suggestions:
Serve Prawn Aglio E Olio with sides like crispy Garlic bread, fresh green salad, Prawn Cutlet, Crispy Fried Oyster Mushroom. These light flavourful dishes complement the pasta perfectly, adding texture and balance to create a complete and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
For Marinating the Prawns:
150 gm Prawns, shelled & deveined
1 tsp Red Chili Flakes
2 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 tsp Salt
For Aglio E Olio:
250 gm Dried Spaghetti
1 litre water
1 tbsp Salt
4-5 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 tbsp Garlic cloves, sliced
1 tbsp Parsley Stems, chopped
1 tsp Red Chili Flakes
1/4 cup Pasta water
Garnish:
1 tbsp Fresh Parsley, chopped
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
1-2 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Preparation
- Step 1: Marinate the prawns with red chili flakes, extra virgin olive oil and salt, mix well. keep aside.
- Step 2: Boil water and 1 tbsp salt in a saucepan, then add the pasta and cook till al dente and strain.
- Step 3: Heat olive oil in a pot, add sliced garlic and chopped parsley stems, saute on medium heat for 2-3 minutes or until fragrant.
- Step 4: Then add red chili flakes, saute for a minute and add marinated prawns and cook for 3-4 minutes or until pink and firm.
- Step 5: Add the pasta water to the pot and bring to a boil. When the pasta water has reduced a little and thickened into a sauce, turn off the heat and toss drained spaghetti in the sauce and mix properly.
- Step 6: Serve the pasta immediately, top with some grated parmesan cheese, drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and some chopped parsley. Enjoy!!
Pro tips:
Always add pasta to boiling water, cooking until al dente and reserve some pasta water to thicken the sauce.
Cook the prawns over medium-high heat to avoid overcooking.
You can also swap prawns for alternatives like bacon, mushrooms for a twist on the classic recipe.
About Me
DEBJANI MONDAL
Welcome to Kitchenstagram, the home of delicious recipes, culinary inspiration and cooking adventures. I’m Debjani and I’m thrilled to be your guide through the wonderful world of food. I’m a self-taught professional baker, home chef, recipe developer, author of Kitchenstagram and an aspiring YouTuber.
My passion for food and cooking began at a very young age, when I would watch my mom and dad cook for me and my brother. My dad, in particular is a great cook whose culinary skills made a lasting impression on me. My dad would cook up a storm on special occasions by cooking variety of dishes, from delicious biriyani to samosa, fish fry, rasgullas and kachoris (sweet & spicy deep fried pastry with filling of lentils, meat or fish…>>>>>
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