Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add spaghetti and cook according to package directions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
While the pasta is cooking, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring frequently, until garlic is fragrant and lightly golden, about 2-3 minutes. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet with the garlic oil. Toss to coat, adding a little of the reserved pasta water at a time if needed to create a smooth sauce.
Stir in fresh basil and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve immediately, garnished with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
Optional: Add a squeeze of lemon juice for extra brightness.
For a richer flavor, add a tablespoon of butter along with the pasta water.
This is my go-to recipe now! Super easy, quick, and the flavors are amazing. The garlic and basil combination is just perfect. Highly recommend!
A decent weeknight meal. It could use more seasoning. I added more salt and pepper. Nothing special but okay.
Quick and tasty weeknight meal. I added some shrimp to it. The recipe is very versatile. Great dish for a beginner cook, easy to customize.
It was good, but nothing special. The sauce could have used a bit more complexity. Perhaps a splash of white wine would elevate the flavors. Overall, an easy recipe to follow.
A classic, well-executed. The spaghetti was perfectly cooked, and the sauce had a great depth of flavor. I would recommend using high-quality olive oil for the best results. The subtle kick from the red pepper flakes was a nice touch.
