Ina Garten Midnight Pasta Recipe

You catch the smell through the steam vent and suddenly you are starving. It's that kinda garlic and lemon thing that grabs ya, making you wanna drop everything and come find out what’s cookin'. That little hiss from the valve kinda teases you into the kitchen, like it won’t keep a secret much longer.

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You remember all those times you thought pasta was gonna take forever and then bam you end up eating late. But this round? You kinda nailed it. The whole place smells like that cozy, warm dinner spot where you just wanna sink your fork right in and forget the day’s chaos.

You feel that mix of excitement and hunger swirling together. It’s got that broth depth, the kind that makes you wanna ask for seconds, or at least dream about leftovers. Dinner’s basically ready in the time it takes to chill for a minute after work. That sealing ring did its job real good, keeping the steam and flavor locked in tight so the pasta comes out perfectly tender and full of taste.

The Truth About Fast Tender Results

• The sealing ring gotta be snug for that perfect pressure build-up.
• Using a natural release helps the pasta finish cooking gently without turning mushy.
• Your pasta water is like gold, adding that right broth depth when mixed back in.
• Thinly sliced garlic cooks fast and adds a quick, strong flavor.
• The valve hiss is your tells when pressure’s dropping and dinner’s almost ready.
• Don’t rush the slow release or you might end with a mess instead of pasta heaven.
• The lemon zest and parsley bring freshness that sorta wakes up the whole dish.

Your Simple Ingredient Checklist

• 1 pound spaghetti. Yep, regular spaghetti works best for this.
• ¼ cup olive oil. Good quality makes a difference here, trust me.
• 8 cloves garlic, thinly sliced. Don’t smash it, slicing lets flavor bloom.
• ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes. Just a little kick to keep things lively.
• ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley. Adds a bright green pop and freshness.
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest. The secret weapon for balancing richness.
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese. Real Parmesan, not that pre-grated stuff in a can.
• Salt, to taste. Always gotta taste your broth and adjust.
• Black pepper, to taste. Fresh cracked is best, you’ll feel the difference.
• 1 cup reserved pasta water. That starchy water’s gonna bring it all together.

The Exact Process From Start to Finish

Step 1: Get a large pot filled with salted water going to a boil while you prep everything else. When it’s rolling, toss in the spaghetti and follow the package directions for al dente. Don’t forget to scoop out 1 cup of that pasta water before you drain it.

Step 2: While pasta’s cooking, warm your pressure cooker skillet (or an insert if your cooker’s got one) with the olive oil on medium heat. Toss in the garlic slices and red pepper flakes. Let it cook for 1-2 minutes until the garlic smells bright and golden but be careful not to burn it.

Step 3: Drain your spaghetti and add it straight into the skillet with the garlicky oil. Toss it all together real good so that every strand gets some flavor love.

Step 4: Stir in the fresh parsley, lemon zest, and Parmesan cheese. You’ll see the cheese start to melt and coat the pasta in this luscious layer that’s kinda irresistible.

Step 5: If the pasta seems dry at this point, add reserved pasta water a splash at a time until you hit that perfect saucy texture. This water helps bring the broth depth to the dish, keeping things moist and flavorful.

Step 6: Finish by seasoning with salt and black pepper to your liking. Serve immediately so it’s hot, fresh, and all kinds of comforting.

Quick Tricks That Save Your Time

• Prep the garlic slices while the water is heating up. This little multitasking step shaves off minutes.
• Use the pressure cooker on sauté mode to brown the garlic. It heats faster and controls the cooking without fuss.
• Reserve pasta water in a heat-proof cup to keep it ready before you drain pasta. Don't wait till the last second or you’ll lose that broth depth.

The Flavor Experience Waiting for You

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You taste first, and that garlic pops right off your tongue, sharp and golden but not overwhelming. It kinda dances with the heat from those red pepper flakes, making each bite exciting and just a little surprising.

The lemon zest lifts everything, adds this zing that makes the dish feel fresh and bright, like springtime after a long cold day. Parsley brings in a cool herbal note to balance the richness of the olive oil and Parmesan.

Cheese melts into every crevice creating this rich, creamy coating that hugs the spaghetti. It’s simple but way better than you’d expect from such a quick dinner - satisfying in all the best ways.

Making It Last All Week Long

Store your pasta in an airtight container once it cools to room temp. This helps keep the flavors from fading and keeps that texture right.

If you wanna reheat, add a splash of water or broth before microwaving or reheating in a pan. This brings back that broth depth and softens things up again.

You can freeze portions in freezer bags if you wanna lock in freshness longer. Just thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Leftovers work great tossed with extra fresh parsley or a quick squeeze of lemon when reheated, giving it a little life back so it doesn’t feel boring.

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Your Most Asked Questions Answered

• Can I use gluten-free pasta? Yes, but cooking times might change and you gotta watch the texture close.
• What if my garlic burns? It gets bitter real quick so start over with new garlic if that happens.
• Why use reserved pasta water? It adds starch that helps the sauce stick and gives that broth depth you want.
• Is natural release really necessary? Yeah, it finishes cooking gently and helps keep pasta from getting mushy.
• Can I swap parsley for another herb? You can try basil or cilantro if you wanna mix it up but parsley is kinda perfect here.
• How do I know when to do slow release? When the timer’s up, just wait a few minutes before opening the valve slowly. You’ll hear the valve hiss and pressure reducing safe-like.

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I made Ina Garten's favorite weeknight pasta and had dinner ready in 30 minutes

This vibrant pasta dish bursts with garlic, lemon, and fresh herbs making it the perfect quick comfort meal—served hot in just 30 minutes.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Cuisine Mediterranean

Servings 4 servings

Calories 480 kcal

Equipment

• 1 Pressure cooker skillet or insert
• 1 Large pot for boiling pasta

Ingredients

  

Main Ingredients

• 1 pound spaghetti regular spaghetti works best
• ¼ cup olive oil good quality
• 8 cloves garlic thinly sliced
• ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes for a little kick
• ¼ cup fresh parsley chopped
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest
• ½ cup Parmesan cheese grated
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste
• 1 cup reserved pasta water

Instructions

 

Cooking Instructions

• Get a large pot of salted water boiling. Cook the spaghetti to al dente, reserving 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
• While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in your pressure cooker skillet or insert on medium heat. Add sliced garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook 1–2 minutes until golden but not burned.
• Drain spaghetti and add directly into skillet with the garlic oil. Toss thoroughly to coat the pasta evenly.
• Add chopped parsley, lemon zest, and Parmesan cheese. Stir until the cheese melts and evenly coats the noodles.
• If pasta appears dry, gradually add reserved pasta water until desired sauciness is achieved.
• Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Serve immediately while hot.

Notes

To reheat, add a splash of water and heat gently on the stove or microwave. Add more parsley or lemon zest to wake up the flavors. Freezes well in airtight bags for quick meals later.