INGREDIENTS

• 1 box spaghetti, or homemade
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 5 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/2 red bell pepper, sliced
• 2 tablespoons butter
• juice of half a lemon
• 3/4 cup finely grated parmesan
cheese, plus more for serving
• 3/4 cup reserved pasta cooking water
• 1/4 teaspoon lemon pepper

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Cook pasta as directed on box.
2. Once the pasta is halfway done, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until golden, approximately 3 minutes. Lower heat, add your red pepper flakes and red bell pepper, and stir. Cook peppers until hot.
3. After the pasta is cooked, transfer the pasta directly from the water to the garlic mixture with tongs. (It’s OK if water gets into garlic mixture; this will help loosen the sauce.) Stir thoroughly to coat pasta.
4. Add butter and lemon juice, stirring with tongs until butter is melted.
5. Add the cheese and pasta cooking water, stirring vigorously until the cheese evenly covers the pasta. Add more water if needed.
6. Garnish with fresh parsley, cheese, and serve.