Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces spaghetti or your favorite pasta
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 1 cup reserved pasta cooking water
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus extra for serving)
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
- Red pepper flakes to taste (optional, for a little heat)
Substitutions: For a dairy-free version, swap Parmesan for nutritional yeast or a vegan cheese alternative. Use gluten-free pasta if needed. You can also replace butter with a plant-based alternative or simply increase the olive oil by a tablespoon.
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes. Be sure to reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining.
- While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced garlic and sauté gently until fragrant and golden but not burnt, about 2-3 minutes. This step fills the kitchen with the kind of aroma that takes me right back to Mama Lou’s cozy kitchen.
- Reduce the heat to low, then add the butter to the skillet and let it melt, stirring it through the garlic oil. The combination of butter and olive oil creates such a silky base without the heaviness of cream.
- Add the reserved pasta water slowly to the skillet, stirring to combine. The starch in the water helps create a natural sauce that clings beautifully to every strand of pasta.
- Return the drained pasta to the skillet and toss vigorously to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce. Add the grated Parmesan cheese and freshly ground black pepper. Toss again until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens slightly. If it feels too thick, add a splash more pasta water.
- Taste and adjust with salt or pepper as needed. This is where a little patience and love, something Mama Lou always insisted on, comes into play—tasting and tweaking until it’s just right.
- Transfer the pasta to warm bowls and garnish with chopped parsley and red pepper flakes if you like a gentle kick. Serve immediately, with extra Parmesan on the side.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International
