Cook the Pasta
Boil linguine or angel hair in salted water until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.
Sauté the Peppers & Garlic
In a skillet, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add banana peppers and garlic. Sauté for 2-3 minutes, until softened and fragrant.
Build the Sauce
Add 1/2 cup broth, simmer for 1 minute. Lower the heat, then stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream. Let the sauce simmer gently until slightly thickened.
Combine Everything
Toss the cooked pasta into the sauce. Add reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce. Stir in 1 tbsp chopped parsley and 1/4 cup Parmesan (if using).
Finish & Serve
Season with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if you like it spicy). Serve immediately.