I LOVE Secret Recipe Club reveal days – they definitely make Mondays way more fun than they usually are. I missed out on participating last month, so I’m extra excited to be back in it for the month of March. This month I was assigned Authentic Suburban Gourmet, which is quickly turning into one of my new favorite food blogs. It’s written by Lisa, who lives in the Bay Area with her husband and a few of the cutest dogs ever (seriously, they are so cute!). I was especially blown away by her appetizer recipes, and I’ve added her Gooey White Cheddar Bacon Crostini, Roasted Shallot Dip, and Cranberry Cocktail Meatballs to my list of things to make for football season this year (only 6 months to go!).

Since we’re in our temporary apartment, without anything but the most basic cooking utensils, while our house is (still!) being put back together after the flood, I decided to make something extra easy from Lisa’s site. When I saw Spaghetti with Garlic, Olive Oil, and Red Chili Flakes, I knew it would be the perfect thing to make. This is an easy recipe (and you probably already have everything on hand to make it!), but its flavor is anything but simple. I loved the strong hits of garlic and the spice from the red pepper flakes, and of course anything with Parmesan cheese is delicious. This is the ultimate weeknight meal: easy, quick to make, and full of flavor. Add it to your dinner meal rotation, and you won’t be sorry.

Printable Recipe
Serves 2 (I halved Lisa’s original recipe)

ingredients:
1/2 pound spaghetti
1/4 cup olive oil
5 cloves garlic
1 tsp crushed red pepper
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

instructions:
Boil water for the pasta and cook according to package directions.

While the pasta is cooking, chop the garlic.

When the pasta is about halfway done, heat the olive oil over medium heat in a skillet. Add in the garlic and the crushed red pepper and cook until the garlic is fragrant and slightly brown, or 3-5 minutes.

When the pasta is al dente, reserve 1/8 cup pasta water and drain. Add the pasta and water to the skillet, and stir in 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.

Divide the pasta between two bowls and top with the remaining cheese. Drizzle with additional olive oil, if desired.

Enjoy!

Adapted from Authentic Suburban Gourmet