Classic Creamy Garlic Parmesan Pasta

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces of pasta (spaghetti, fettuccine, or any pasta of your choice)
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until it’s al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving some pasta water.
2. In a large skillet or saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1-2 minutes, or until fragrant. Be careful not to let the garlic burn.
3. Pour in the heavy cream and bring it to a simmer. Let it cook for about 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Gradually add the grated Parmesan cheese to the cream sauce, stirring continuously until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
5. Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste. Keep in mind that Parmesan cheese is salty, so you may not need much additional salt.
6. Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss until the pasta is well coated. If the sauce seems too thick, you can add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it up.
7. Once everything is heated through and well combined, remove the skillet from the heat.
8. Serve the creamy garlic Parmesan pasta immediately, garnished with chopped fresh parsley if desired.