Spaghettini with Garlic, Red Pepper & Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Since we can't all pack up and move to the pasta capital of the world, why not bring Italian flavour and quality to your dinner table by cooking with authentic, fresh ingredients?

Traditional Italians embrace the Mediterranean lifestyle, which emphasizes the consumption of grains such as pasta and bread; vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, fish, and lean meats. As well, when it comes to mealtime, Italians make it a family affair, using it as an opportunity to spend time with loved ones.

“For Italians, gathering with friends and family over a meal is just as important as the food, so the cuisine doesn't have to be fancy,” says Lorenzo Boni, the executive chef for Barilla North America. “Often the best meals come from a spontaneous get-together, where the cook makes a large pot of spaghetti pasta and throws in whatever ingredients are in the pantry (referred to as a spaghetatta).”

Chef Lorenzo recommends this easy-to-prepare spaghettini dish that won't disappoint: