Boil pasta in salted water until al dente or cooked to your liking
8 ounces pasta
Scoop out about one cup of the pasta water and set aside
Drain pasta
While the pasta is boiling, melt butter in a large pan and add garlic. Cook over low heat for just until the garlic is fragrant. You don't want it browned, just warmed to flavor the butter. Turn off heat.
4 tablespoons butter, 1 clove garlic
Add drained pasta to the pan with the garlic butter. Toss to coat.
Add parmesan and toss to coat
½ cup parmesan cheese
Add a bit of the reserved water. You want everything to be silky smooth. You probably won't need all the water.
Taste and add salt and pepper if needed
salt, pepper
Top with freshly chopped parsley and additional grated parmesan
1 teaspoon fresh parsley
Notes
Use any type of pasta. I like to use spaghetti, but bowtie, fettuccine or orecchiette works too. Use what you have in your pantry.
Freshly grated parmesan works best because it just melts right into the pasta
Slowly add the pasta water. You will probably not need it all.
Add freshly chopped parsley or other fresh herbs just before serving