4-Ingredient Garlic Pasta by Lemonblossomsblog

Ingredients

• 250 g (8 oz) pasta of choice, such as spaghetti or linguine
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
• 1 cup pasta cooking water, reserved
• 1/2 tsp salt, plus more for pasta water
• 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water.
2. While the pasta cooks, melt the unsalted butter in a large skillet or pan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and softened, being careful not to brown it.
3. Add the cooked, drained pasta to the skillet with the garlic butter. Pour in 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water and add 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese.
4. Toss the pasta continuously for 1-2 minutes, allowing the cheese and pasta water to emulsify and create a creamy sauce that coats the noodles. Add more pasta water, 1-2 tablespoons at a time, if the sauce is too thick.
5. Season the pasta with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper, adjusting to taste. Serve immediately, garnished with chopped fresh parsley and extra Parmesan cheese, if desired.