Penne Pasta with Basil

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the 8 oz penne and cook until al dente, about 11 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 2

While the pasta cooks, thinly slice the 2 garlic cloves and roughly chop the 1 cup basil leaves.

Step 3

Heat the 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced garlic and cook until fragrant and lightly golden, about 2 minutes.

Step 4

Drain the cooked pasta, reserving 1/4 cup of the pasta water. Add the pasta to the skillet with the garlic oil, along with the chopped basil, 1 tsp salt, and 0.5 tsp black pepper.

Step 5

Toss everything together over low heat for 1-2 minutes, adding a splash of the reserved pasta water if needed to create a light sauce. Serve immediately.