Step 1: Cook your pasta in heavily salted water but take it off one minute early. Save a cup of that starchy pasta water before draining.

Step 2: Melt butter in a big pan on medium heat and add the minced garlic. Let it cook for about a minute but don't let it turn brown.

Step 3: Pour in the cream and let it warm up gently. It should barely simmer, never boil.

Step 4: Add your finely grated Parmesan in batches. Stir it in and let each batch melt before adding more.

Step 5: Mix in the black pepper and a splash of pasta water. Let it bubble very gently for a couple minutes until it thickens slightly.

Step 6: Toss in your cooked pasta and let everything bubble together for another minute or two. Taste it and add salt if needed. Stir in the lemon juice right at the end.