Lemon Garlic Pasta

Ingredients

• 12 oz spaghetti
• 6 clove garlic
• 2 lemon
• ½ cup unsalted butter
• ½ cup Parmesan cheese (optional)
• ¼ cup fresh parsley (optional)
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper

Steps

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add spaghetti and cook according to package directions until al dente.
2. While pasta cooks, mince the garlic. Zest and juice the lemons. Chop fresh parsley if using.
3. In a large skillet, melt butter with olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using) and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to brown the garlic.
4. Drain the cooked spaghetti, reserving 1 cup of the pasta water.
5. Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet with the garlic butter. Stir in lemon juice and lemon zest. Toss to combine.
6. Gradually add reserved pasta water, a quarter cup at a time, tossing until a light sauce forms and coats the pasta.
7. Stir in Parmesan cheese (if using) and fresh parsley (if using). Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Serve immediately.