Instant Pot Spaghetti Aglio E Olio is one of the simplest pasta recipes you'll make but its shockingly flavorful and satisfying! With just 7 basic ingredients, this instant pot pasta is ready in just 20 minutes - No stock or broth!
Looking for more easy instant pot pasta recipes? Try my instant pot alfredo pasta or the instant pot pesto pasta recipe next!
A Quick Look at the Recipe
✅ Recipe Name: Instant Pot Spaghetti Aglio e Olio
🕒 Ready In: ~20 minutes
👪 Serves: 3 Servings
🧑🍳 Main Ingredients: spaghetti, garlic, olive oil, butter and parmesan cheese
📖 Dietary Info: Vegetarian, meatless
📌 Difficulty: Easy, one pot recipe
Why you’ll love this instant pot spaghetti aglio e olio?
I can confidently say this spaghetti aglio e olio is one of the simplest yet most flavorful dishes you’ll ever make. With just 7 ingredients, no stock or broth, and minimal cleanup, it’s ready in 20 minutes. Cooking the spaghetti in starchy pasta water in the pressure cooker creates a silky, perfectly coated sauce—ideal for busy nights or when a grocery run isn’t an option. It’s incredibly satisfying, and one night I paired it with air fryer zucchini parmesan for a full dinner without ever turning on the stove or oven.
- maria doss
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Ingredients
Scroll down to the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and amounts.
- Butter and olive oil - Butter adds richness and luxuriousness, while olive oil contributes its distinct flavor and aroma. The combination of both enhances the overall taste.
- Garlic - Like all garlic recipes, this pasta recipe is a garlic lovers dream. I have used 6 large cloves of minced garlic.
- Red pepper flakes - While red pepper flakes are optional, I highly recommend including them or adjusting the quantity to your preference. As in the spicy kale pasta, they add a kick of heat, enhancing its flavor, especially given the simplicity of its ingredients.
- Spaghetti - Ain't aglio e olio without spaghetti!
- Parmesan Cheese - Like in garlic parmesan sauce or all other parmesan cheese recipes, parmesan adds a salty and nutty flavor.
- Fresh or dried parsley - I prefer using dried parsley in this recipe as it's a staple in my pantry and also infuses the noodles with its flavor during cooking.
Tips for Success
- Salt - Given the simplicity of this recipe, the seasoning plays a crucial role. I found that using ¾th to 1 teaspoon of salt provided ample seasoning and enhanced the taste perfectly. However, feel free to adjust the salt according to your personal preference.
- Butter - Traditional recipes typically calls for olive oil exclusively. While the addition of butter can impart an extra layer of flavor, it's entirely optional. If opting out of using butter, simply use a total of 2 tablespoons of olive oil instead.
- Fresh parsley - If using fresh parsley, add at the end along with parmesan cheese.
More instant pot pasta recipes
Instant Pot Spaghetti Aglio e Olio
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 6 large cloves garlic finely chopped
- 2 cups water
- ¾ to 1 teaspoon salt use according to taste
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 8 ounces spaghetti
- ½ cup grated parmesan
Instructions
- Cook garlic. Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode. Once hot, add the olive oil and butter, letting the butter melt. Stir in the garlic and cook until it just starts to turn pale golden—avoid letting it brown, as this can make it bitter.2 tablespoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon butter, 6 large garlic cloves
- Add water and pasta. Press ‘Cancel’ on the Instant Pot, then add the water, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and dried parsley. Stir to combine. Break the spaghetti noodles in half so they fit better and cook evenly, then lay them on top of the water. Use a spoon to gently press the noodles down, separating them slightly, but do not stir them into the liquid, as this can cause sticking.2 cups water, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, ½ teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon dried parsley, 8 oz spaghetti
- Pressure cook. Close and lock the Instant Pot lid, ensuring the valve is set to ‘Sealing.’ Cook on Manual (High Pressure) for 5 minutes. Allow the pot to naturally release pressure in ‘Keep Warm’ mode for 6–7 minutes, then carefully release any remaining pressure. Open the lid, stir in the grated parmesan, let the pasta rest for 3–4 minutes, and serve hot.½ cup parmesan
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information, based on third-party calculations, should be seen as estimates, not guarantees, as various factors like product types, brands, processing methods, and more can alter the nutritional content in recipes.
Variations
- Addition of anchovies: Some agio e olio sauce recipes include anchovies for an extra layer of umami flavor. The anchovies are usually minced and sautéed along with the garlic and it melts into the cooked pasta.
- Vegetables: You can incorporate vegetables like cherry tomatoes, spinach, or broccoli to add more texture and nutrients.
- Protein: Stir in raw shrimp or cubed chicken chunks along with the water and then proceed with the recipe, to turn the dish into a heartier meal.
- Nuts: A sprinkle of chopped walnuts, toasted pecans or pine nuts can provide a crunchy texture.
- White wine: Replace some of the water with white wine to add a subtle acidity and depth of flavor.
- Sun-dried Tomatoes: Chopped sun-dried tomatoes can add a sweet and tangy flavor.
- Lemon zest: Finely grated lemon zest can be added along with the seasonings for a bright, citrusy flavor.
- Other pasta shapes: Use any other medium sized pasta shapes instead of spaghetti to make pasta aglio e olio.
How to make?
You can find full printable recipe below, but here is a quick overview of the procedure along with step-by-step photos.
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Stir in grated parmesan and serve!
Frequently Asked Questions
Aglio e olie literally means olive oil and garlic in Italian! Originating from Naples, this traditional Italian pasta dish involves sautéing minced garlic in olive oil and tossing it with cooked spaghetti, grated parmesan (although some Italians may consider this optional), and parsley, along with a splash of pasta cooking liquid to bring it al together. Red pepper flakes is sometimes added and then the dish is titled Spaghetti Aglio, Olio E Peperoncino.
Burned garlic can taste bitter and overpower the sauce, so it’s usually best to start over. Remove most of the oil along with the burnt garlic, wipe out the Instant Pot with paper towels, and begin again. It’s much easier to fix the problem at the start than risk ruining the entire dish—especially since the pasta cooks in the garlic-infused water, which can carry the bitter flavor throughout.
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Hi, I’m Maria! I share easy, flavor-packed dinners, high-protein meals, and irresistible baking ideas. If you’ve ever asked, “Don’t know what to cook tonight?” you’re in the right place. And yes—there’s plenty here for breakfast, snacks, and dessert too. More about maria ->
Kelly @ Kelly Lynns Sweets and Treats
This is total comfort food to me and I am in need of some comfort food!! This looks like the perfect dinner!
Priyanka
You’ve got to be a genius! I never though I could use the IP to
make this recipe!
Julie
Unbelievably delicious! Thank you for great instructions - this recipe is a keeper, for sure!
Maria Doss
That sounds wonderful, glad you liked it 🙂