MEDITERRANEAN OLIVE OIL PASTA

Celebrate the fall season with our easy and comforting Olive Oil Pasta recipe. This dish brings together the flavors of olive oil, olives, and fresh herbs, making it a perfect choice for a delicious autumn meal that's ready in just 20-25 minutes.

Makes: 4 Servings |  Preparation Time: 20-25 minutes

Ingredients

• 12 ounces (340g) of your favorite pasta (such as spaghetti, fettuccine, or penne)
• 1/4 cup La Panza Extra Virgin Olive Oil
•  4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to your spice preference)
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
• 1/4 cup black olives, pitted and halved
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
•  1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• Grated Parmesan cheese for serving (optional)

Instructions

1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. Prepare the Sauce: While the pasta is cooking, heat the extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté for about 1-2 minutes, or until the garlic becomes fragrant, but not browned.
3. Combine Ingredients: Add the halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet and sauté for about 2-3 minutes until they begin to soften.
4. Mix in Olives and Herbs: Stir in the Kalamata and black olives, and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
5. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing to combine and coat the pasta with the olive oil and tomato mixture. If the pasta seems dry, you can drizzle in a bit more olive oil.
6. Season and Garnish: Season the dish with salt and black pepper to taste. You can also add more red pepper flakes if you prefer extra spiciness.
7. Stir in the fresh basil and parsley, reserving a little for garnish.
8. Serve: Transfer the Mediterranean Olive Oil Pasta to serving plates. 
9. If desired, top each serving with crumbled feta cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, and the reserved herbs for garnish.