15-Minute Garlic Butter Pasta

Ingredients

• 14 oz (400g) spaghetti (or any long pasta)
• 6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• 5 1/2 tbsp (80g) unsalted butter
• Large pinch of red pepper flakes
• 2/3 cup (60g) parmesan, finely grated
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Cook pasta in heavily salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup (250ml) of pasta water before draining.
2. While pasta cooks, melt butter in a large pan over medium-low heat. Add sliced garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook for 2-3 minutes until garlic is golden, not brown.
3. Add drained pasta to the garlic butter. Toss well. Add pasta water a splash at a time, tossing constantly. The starch in the water emulsifies with the fat, creating a glossy, silky sauce that clings to every strand.
4. Remove from heat. Add parmesan, toss again. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Serve immediately. Top with parsley if you've got it.

Notes

The pasta water is doing the heavy lifting here. The starch emulsifies with the butter and cheese to create the sauce. Don't skip it. Pairs perfectly with Roasted Tomato Soup for a quick dinner.