Step 1

Fill a pot with water and place on the stove to boil.

Step 2

Start warming a pan with the olive oil over medium heat. Smash the garlic and add it and the red pepper flakes to the pan and let them sizzle for about 30 seconds. Stir in the tomato sauce, water, tomato paste, sugar, and salt and pepper. Stir in the butter until it melts. Slowly stir in the milk, then reduce heat and simmer gently for about 10 minutes.

Step 3

When the water is boiling, add the pasta and cook as directed on the package until al dente (if all goes according to plan, this will be about 10 minutes, the same amount of time as the sauce simmers!)

Step 4

Off heat, stir the cheese into the sauce until melted.

Step 5

Drain the pasta and stir it into the finished tomato sauce.