Spaghetti Aglio E Olio (Print Version)

Ingredients:

01 - 12 oz spaghetti.
02 - 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil.
03 - 6-8 garlic cloves, thinly sliced.
04 - 1 tsp red pepper flakes (or more, to taste).
05 - Salt and pepper to taste.
06 - 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped (optional).
07 - Freshly grated Parmesan cheese (optional).
08 - Lemon wedges (optional for serving).

Instructions:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to the package instructions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining, then set the pasta aside.
02 - While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
03 - Add the sliced garlic and sauté for 2-3 minutes, or until the garlic is golden and fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
04 - If using, add the red pepper flakes and sauté for an additional 30 seconds.
05 - Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet with the garlic and olive oil. Toss to coat the pasta with the garlic-infused oil.
06 - If the pasta seems too dry, add a splash of the reserved pasta water, 1/4 cup at a time, until the desired consistency is reached.
07 - Season with salt and pepper to taste. Toss in the chopped parsley, if desired, and top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a squeeze of lemon, if preferred.
08 - Serve immediately, garnished with extra parsley, red pepper flakes, or lemon wedges.

Notes:

01 - Prep Time: 5 minutes.
02 - Cook Time: 15 minutes.
03 - Total Time: 20 minutes.
04 - Servings: 4.