Cheese Pasta by Hotspice Palette

Ingredients

• 250g (8 oz) pasta of choice
• 150g (1.5 cup) cheddar or parmesan cheese, shredded
• 1/2 cup reserved pasta cooking water
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta according to package directions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes.
2. Reserve 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining the pasta until ready to serve.
3. Return the drained pasta to the pot over low heat, adding the butter and half of the reserved water.
4. Add the shredded cheese gradually, stirring constantly for 2-3 minutes until the cheese is melted and forms a smooth, creamy sauce.
5. Add more pasta water if the sauce is too thick, then season with black pepper and serve immediately until ready to serve.