Description
Witches Hair Pasta is a dramatic and flavorful Italian-inspired dish featuring squid ink spaghetti tossed in a garlicky, spicy olive oil sauce. The black pasta offers a striking visual, complemented by the rich aroma of garlic and a gentle heat from crushed red pepper flakes, making it an impressive yet simple meal perfect for a quick dinner or special occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 6 large garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon salt (for pasta water)
- 1 lb dried squid ink spaghetti
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Prepare the garlic: Finely chop the garlic cloves and set aside to be used in the sauce later.
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pan of water to a boil. Add 1 tablespoon of salt to the boiling water and cook the squid ink spaghetti according to the package instructions, usually about 8-10 minutes until al dente.
- Make the garlic oil base: While the pasta cooks, heat ⅓ cup of olive oil in a large pan over low heat. Add the chopped garlic and cook gently for 4 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent burning and to release the garlic’s aroma.
- Add heat: Stir in 1 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes and cook for an additional 30 seconds to infuse the oil with spice.
- Create the sauce liquid: Carefully remove ½ cup of the hot pasta cooking water using a measuring cup and add it to the garlic oil mixture. Let this simmer gently until you are ready to drain the pasta to help marry the flavors and loosen the sauce.
- Reserve pasta water: Before draining the pasta, reserve an additional 1 cup of the cooking water and then drain the pasta thoroughly.
- Toss pasta with sauce: Add the cooked spaghetti to the garlic oil pan and stir vigorously over high heat to combine well, coating the pasta evenly. Add some of the reserved pasta water as needed to achieve a silky, well-emulsified sauce.
- Serve: Serve immediately while hot, ensuring each plate is well coated with the flavorful garlic, chili, and olive oil sauce.
Notes
- Be careful not to burn the garlic; cooking it over low heat helps bring out its flavor without bitterness.
- Squid ink pasta has a delicate seafood flavor that pairs well with simple sauces like this one.
- Adjust the amount of crushed red pepper flakes to your preferred spice level.
- Using reserved pasta water helps to create a glossy, cohesive sauce that clings to the pasta.
- This dish is best enjoyed fresh and hot as the sauce does not reheat well.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
