Ready in just 15 minutes, this is an easy yet flavorful real-food meal the whole family will love.
Ingredients
8ouncespasta
2Tablespoonsbutter
2-3clovesgarlicminced
1/4teaspoonred pepper flakes
1/4cupbrothchicken or vegetable
1cupheavy cream or half-and-half
1/3cupfreshly-grated Parmesan cheese
1/2teaspoonlemon juiceoptional
kosher salt & fresh-ground black pepper
sprinkling of parsleydried or fresh
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Instructions
Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil, then add a generous pinch of kosher salt and the pasta. Cook just to al dente, according to package directions, then drain and set aside.
While the pasta cooks, melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Stir in garlic and red pepper, followed by broth. Bring to a simmer and cook for 1-2 minutes.
Stir in the cream or half-and-half. Lower heat to medium. Cook 1-2 minutes, until thickened slightly. Add Parmesan plus lemon and salt and pepper to taste. Stir well.
Add drained pasta to sauce, toss to coat, and sprinkle with parsley. Serve right away.
Notes
If you prefer a looser sauce, reserve a small amount of the pasta water -- 1/3 to 1/2 cup should do the trick -- to mix into the sauce near the end. Using pasta water to thin out a sauce works well because the starch released into the water by the pasta allows the sauce to thin out more slowly and naturally than tap water would.