Crab Stick Aglio Olio: A Quick & Flavorful Pasta Delight
Crab Stick Aglio Olio: A Quick & Flavorful Pasta Delight
Simple Crab Stick Aglio Olio Pasta Recipe for an Easy Meal
Experience the delightful combination of perfectly cooked pasta, fragrant garlic, and tender crab sticks with this incredibly simple Aglio Olio recipe. This dish is perfect for a quick and satisfying meal, bringing a touch of Italian flair to your kitchen with minimal effort.
Main Ingredients- Pasta (Spaghetti or Linguine) – 1 serving
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil – 5-6 Tbsp
- Coarse Salt – 1 Tbsp (for boiling pasta)
- Reserved Pasta Water – 1 cup
- Garlic – 5-6 cloves, thinly sliced
- Minced Garlic – 1 Tbsp
- Crab Sticks (Imitation Crab Meat) – 2-3 sticks
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add 1 Tbsp of coarse salt, then cook your pasta about 1-2 minutes less than the package directions suggest, aiming for ‘al dente’. Crucially, reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining. This water is key to creating a silky sauce!
Step 2
Heat a large skillet over low heat. Add a generous amount of extra virgin olive oil and the thinly sliced garlic. Gently sauté the garlic, allowing it to infuse the oil with its aroma without burning. Cook until the garlic is lightly golden and fragrant.
Step 3
Once the sliced garlic is fragrant, add the minced garlic. If you like a little heat, now is the time to add the crushed red pepper flakes or dried chili. Increase the heat to medium and sauté for another minute, stirring constantly to develop the garlic flavor further. Be careful not to burn the garlic at this stage.
Step 4
Pour the reserved 1 cup of pasta water into the skillet. If using, stir in the chicken stock for an extra boost of umami. Let the liquid simmer and reduce slightly. Then, add your al dente pasta to the skillet. Toss the pasta with the sauce for 1-2 minutes, allowing it to absorb the flavors. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt if needed, keeping in mind the pasta water is already salty.
Step 5
Finally, shred the crab sticks into bite-sized pieces and add them to the skillet. Gently toss everything together for about 1 minute, just until the crab sticks are heated through and combined with the pasta and sauce. Avoid overcooking, as the crab sticks can become dry. Garnish with grated Parmesan cheese, if desired, for an extra layer of flavor.
