Aglio e Olio with Lap Cheong and Oyster Sauce
If you’ve ever seen the 2014 movie Chef, there’s a scene where Jon Favreau makes a late-night, intimate meal for Molly (Scarlett Johansson). This scene really showcased how a simple yet luxurious pasta can be made in minutes. My aglio e olio with lap cheong and oyster sauce takes the classic Italian garlic oil pasta and gives it a rich, savory upgrade with a distinctly Asian pantry twist. Think silky spaghetti, golden garlic, crispy Chinese sausage, and just enough oyster sauce to deepen the flavor without overpowering the dish.
This is the kind of pasta that tastes like it came from a restaurant kitchen, but comes together in under 20 minutes. It’s super customizable and works great with a myriad of toppings shrimp, sauteed veggies, and a squeeze of lemon.
Ingredients
8 oz spaghetti
3 tablespoons olive oil
5–6 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
2 Lap cheong sausages, diced
1–2 teaspoons oyster sauce
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
½ - 1 cup reserved pasta water
2 tablespoons butter
freshly cracked black pepper
chopped parsley or scallions for garnish
grated parmesan (optional)
1. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the diced Lap cheong. Cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the edges are caramelized and glossy. Remove the sausage and set aside.
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti until al dente. Reserve at least a 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.
3. To cold pan, add the olive oil and drop in the sliced garlic. Cook low and slow until the garlic is lightly golden and fragrant, then add the red pepper flakes.
4. Add in some splashes of pasta water and mix. Stir in the pasta and oyster sauce along with splashes of reserved pasta water and whisk until the sauce turns glossy and emulsified.
5. Add the crispy Lap cheong back to the pan. Toss everything together, adding more pasta water as needed until the noodles are silky and evenly coated.
6. Finish with freshly cracked black pepper and garnish with chopped parsley, and parmesan if using.
Minimal effort, maximum flavor
