Italian Countryside Pasta

Take a little trip to the Italian countryside without leaving your kitchen!

This rustic pasta dish is simple, fresh, and packed with flavor thanks to garden herbs, a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil, and a touch of garlic heat. With just a few ingredients, you can whip up a dinner that feels like it came straight from a cozy farmhouse table.

It’s light, zesty, and exactly the kind of recipe you’ll want to keep on repeat for easy weeknights or casual entertaining.

Ingredients:

(This recipe makes 4 servings)

• 1 pound dried spaghetti – the heart of this countryside classic
• ½ cup Big Horn extra-virgin olive oil – fresh, bold, and silky smooth
• 3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon red pepper flakes (or more if you like it spicy!) – for a little countryside fire
• ¼ cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley – bright and fresh
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil – that sweet, peppery Italian note
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint – a refreshing twist that makes this dish sing

Instructions:

Act 1: Pasta Prep

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti until al dente (tender but with a little bite), then drain—save a cup of the pasta water just in case you need to loosen up the sauce.

Act 2: Build the Layers of Flavor

While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced garlic and cook until golden and fragrant, about 2 minutes. Careful not to burn it—you want that perfect golden flavor.

Act 3: Spice it Up!

Stir in the red pepper flakes and let them sizzle in the oil for 30 seconds. This will infuse the oil with that wonderful, gentle heat.

Act 4: Toss in the Finishing Touches

Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet and toss well to coat every strand in garlicky, spicy olive oil. If it looks too dry, splash in a little of the reserved pasta water until it glides just right.

Remove from the heat and toss in the parsley, basil, and mint. Give it all a gentle stir so the fresh herbs brighten the whole dish.

Pile the pasta high on a platter, drizzle with a touch more Big Horn EVOO, and serve it right away. Rustic, simple, and downright delicious.

Enjoy!