Description
Ina Garten’s Midnight Pasta is a simple yet flavorful Italian-inspired dish featuring perfectly al dente spaghetti tossed in fragrant garlic-infused olive oil, red pepper flakes for a gentle heat, fresh parsley, lemon zest, and Parmesan cheese for a rich finish. This quick stovetop recipe is perfect for a late-night meal or any time you want a delicious, comforting pasta with minimal ingredients and effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Spaghetti:
- 400 grams (about 14 oz) spaghetti
Sauce and Garnish:
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated (plus extra for serving)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add the spaghetti. Cook until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water to use later for adjusting the sauce consistency.
- Prepare the Garlic Oil: While the pasta cooks, heat 1/2 cup of extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté for 1 to 2 minutes until the garlic is fragrant and just starting to turn golden, being careful not to burn it.
- Toss Pasta in Garlic Oil: Add the drained spaghetti directly to the skillet with the garlic oil. Toss well to coat the spaghetti evenly. Gradually add reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce and achieve the desired consistency.
- Add Fresh Flavor: Stir in the chopped fresh parsley and lemon zest. Season the pasta with salt and black pepper to taste. Toss everything together until well combined and the flavors are evenly distributed.
- Plate and Garnish: Transfer the pasta to serving plates. Generously sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top. Optionally, garnish with additional chopped parsley and a pinch of red pepper flakes for extra color and heat.
- Serve: Serve the Midnight Pasta immediately while warm and enjoy the bright, rich, and comforting flavors of this classic late-night dish.
Notes
- You can adjust the red pepper flakes quantity based on your heat preference.
- Use good quality extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor.
- Reserve pasta water is key to creating a silky sauce; add gradually to control sauce texture.
- If preferred, substitute spaghetti with linguine or fettuccine.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days; reheat gently with a splash of water or oil.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: Ina Garten, midnight pasta, garlic pasta, simple pasta recipe, easy Italian pasta, comfort food, spicy pasta, quick dinner
