Spaghetti Aglio e Olio: The Classic Italian Delight

1.Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.

2.Add the spaghetti to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes.

3.While the spaghetti is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

4.Add the sliced garlic to the skillet and sauté until it turns golden brown, about 2-3 minutes. Be careful not to burn the garlic as it will become bitter.

5.Once the garlic is golden, add the red pepper flakes and stir for about 30 seconds to release the flavors.

6.When the spaghetti is cooked, reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water, then drain the spaghetti.

7.Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet with the garlic and oil, tossing to coat the pasta evenly.

8.If the pasta seems dry, add a little reserved pasta water until you reach your desired consistency.

9.Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

10.Remove from heat and garnish with chopped parsley and grated Parmesan cheese before serving.