Classic Spaghetti Aglio e Olio

Ingredients

• 1 pound Spaghetti
• 0.5 cup Extra virgin olive oil
• 8 pieces Garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• 1 teaspoon Red pepper flakes
• 0.5 cup Fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tablespoon Lemon juice(optional)
• 0.25 cup Grated Parmesan cheese(optional)
• 2 tablespoons Kosher salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper

Instructions

1. 1

   Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add the kosher salt.

2. 2

   Cook the spaghetti according to package directions until just 'al dente', about 8-10 minutes.

3. 3

   While the pasta cooks, combine the olive oil and sliced garlic in a large cold skillet.

4. 4

   Place the skillet over medium heat and cook until the garlic is golden brown and fragrant, about 3-5 minutes.

5. 5

   Stir in the red pepper flakes and black pepper, then remove the skillet from heat.

6. 6

   Reserve 1 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining the spaghetti.

7. 7

   Add the drained pasta and 1/4 cup of the reserved water to the skillet, tossing vigorously to emulsify the oil.

8. 8

   Stir in the fresh parsley and lemon juice, adding more pasta water if the sauce is too dry.