Name: Ina Garten’s Sleeper Recipe: A Simple Dish that Delights Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: Spaghetti: 1 pound; Olive Oil: 1/3 cup; Garlic, thinly sliced: 6 cloves; Crushed Red Pepper Flakes (optional): 1/2 teaspoon; Lemon Zest: Zest of 1 lemon; Lemon Juice: Juice of 1 lemon; Parmesan Cheese, freshly grated: 1/2 cup, plus more for serving; Fresh Parsley, chopped: 1/2 cup; Salt and Black Pepper: To taste.

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If there’s a dish that knows how to be quietly spectacular without even trying, it’s Ina Garten’s Sleeper Recipe: A Simple Dish that Delights. Ready in under half an hour, it’s the kind of pasta you whip up on a busy Wednesday but remember fondly for days after. Lively lemon, silky olive oil, Parmesan, and a touch of garlic do all the heavy lifting, creating a plate that feels sun-kissed and impossibly fresh. This is weeknight cooking at its best—relaxed, elegant, and deeply satisfying.

Ina Garten’s Sleeper Recipe: A Simple Dish that Delights Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

What makes this recipe magical is its reliance on a handful of vibrant pantry staples, each one pulling more than its weight. With just a few fresh accents and a sprinkle of cheese, you coax out glorious flavor, zesty brightness, and that perfectly twirlable pasta texture every time.

Spaghetti (1 pound): The classic base, providing chew and structure—feel free to use your favorite shape.
Good olive oil (1/3 cup): Choose a fruity, flavorful oil; it coats every strand and brings rich body to the sauce.
Garlic, thinly sliced (6 cloves): Paper-thin slices mellow in the oil for just the right aromatic kick.
Crushed red pepper flakes (1/2 teaspoon, optional): A gentle heat—add or skip according to your spice preferences.
Zest of 1 lemon: The zest infuses brightness and a sunny aroma throughout the pasta.
Juice of 1 lemon: Fresh juice livens up the pan sauce, balancing the richness of the oil and cheese.
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese (1/2 cup plus more for serving): Adds a salty, nutty depth and melts beautifully into the sauce.
Chopped fresh parsley (1/2 cup): Vibrant green flavor and color finish the dish—swap for basil if you like.
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste: Essential for perfectly seasoning every element.

How to Make Ina Garten’s Sleeper Recipe: A Simple Dish that Delights

Step 1: Cook the Spaghetti

Bring a generous pot of salted water to a rolling boil—salty like the sea—and drop in the spaghetti. Cook it to al dente, following your package directions for timing. Don’t forget to reserve about a cup of that cloudy, starchy pasta water before draining; you’ll use it to bring everything together later.

Step 2: Sauté the Garlic and Red Pepper

While the pasta bubbles away, heat your best olive oil in a roomy skillet set over medium heat. Add the garlic slices and red pepper flakes and gently cook them for just a minute or two. Your kitchen will smell magical! Keep an eye out—garlic should be golden and fragrant, but never browned or bitter.

Step 3: Add Lemon Zest and Juice

Stir in the lemon zest and juice, inviting their bold citrusy fragrance to hit the warm oil. The combo of heat and citrus wakes up the flavors, ensuring every bite is bright and lively.

Step 4: Combine Pasta and Sauce

Add the drained spaghetti directly to the skillet, tossing it gently so every strand glistens with lemony garlic oil. Now comes the moment when Ina Garten’s Sleeper Recipe: A Simple Dish that Delights really earns its name—it transforms pantry basics into sheer luxury!

Step 5: Finish with Cheese and Parsley

Off the heat, shower the pasta with grated Parmesan cheese and a big handful of parsley. Toss again, adding reserved pasta water little by little as needed to help the cheese melt and form a luscious, silky sauce that clings beautifully to your spaghetti. Taste and season generously with salt and freshly cracked black pepper.

How to Serve Ina Garten’s Sleeper Recipe: A Simple Dish that Delights

Garnishes

For a polished look and even more flavor, serve with a fresh dusting of Parmesan cheese and a scattering of extra chopped parsley. A crack of black pepper right before serving wakes everything up. If you’re into a little heat, a pinch more red pepper flakes wouldn’t go amiss.

Side Dishes

This cheerful pasta needs only the simplest partners. A lemony arugula salad, garlicky roasted veggies, or a loaf of crusty bread make wonderful additions. To add protein, top your plates with sautéed shrimp or slices of grilled chicken.

Creative Ways to Present

Ina Garten’s Sleeper Recipe: A Simple Dish that Delights truly shines as a family-style centerpiece. Serve it in a big, shallow platter with lemon wedges on the side. Or, for a dinner party, you could twirl individual portions into little nests and garnish with edible flowers or microgreens for a burst of color. Use colorful pasta bowls to make it feel truly restaurant-worthy.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Any extras? Store leftover spaghetti in an airtight container and pop it in the fridge—it’ll keep beautifully for up to 3 days. The flavors meld and deepen overnight, giving you an extra-special lunch the next day. Just remember to add a splash of water or a drizzle of olive oil when reheating to loosen up the sauce.

Freezing

While this recipe is at its most vibrant when fresh, you certainly can freeze leftovers. Transfer the pasta to a freezer-safe container, removing as much air as possible, then freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating for best results.

Reheating

To bring this dish back to life, reheat gently in a skillet with a little reserved pasta water or a splash of broth. Avoid using the microwave if possible—stovetop reheating helps keep the spaghetti tender and the sauce silky, just like when you first made it.

FAQs

Can I use a different type Main Course

Absolutely! While spaghetti is classic and wonderful, linguine, fettuccine, or even a short pasta like penne or rigatoni all work well. Just keep an eye on your cooking time and make sure to reserve some pasta water for the sauce.

How can I make this recipe gluten-free?

It’s easy—simply swap in your favorite gluten-free pasta. Everything else in the recipe is naturally gluten-free, so you won’t need to change a thing about the garlicky lemon sauce or other mix-ins.

What’s the best way to add more protein?

Sautéed shrimp, grilled chicken, or even flaky salmon are all fantastic protein additions. Simply cook them separately and toss them in with the pasta, or serve on the side for anyone who’d like extra substance.

Can I prepare any components in advance?

You can zest and juice the lemon, grate the Parmesan, and chop the parsley ahead of time to make the whole process even speedier. For the freshest flavor and best texture, cook the pasta and assemble just before serving.

Does Ina Garten’s Sleeper Recipe: A Simple Dish that Delights work for entertaining?

It’s one of the best dishes you can serve when entertaining! The ingredients are simple and fuss-free, but the flavor payoff feels special. Plus, you can double (or triple) the recipe for feeding a crowd without a worry.

Final Thoughts

Every cook deserves a secret weapon, and Ina Garten’s Sleeper Recipe: A Simple Dish that Delights is exactly that. It’s easy, breezy, and somehow always leaves your guests wanting just one more forkful. So, twirl up a serving, share it with people you love, and savor the unmatched comfort of a supremely simple, delicious meal.

Ina Garten’s Sleeper Recipe: A Simple Dish that Delights Recipe

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4.8 from 14 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Ina Garten’s Sleeper Recipe: A Simple Dish that Delights is a quick and flavorful pasta dish that combines the freshness of lemon with the richness of Parmesan and the subtle kick of garlic. This recipe is perfect for a busy weeknight or a casual dinner with friends.

Ingredients

Spaghetti:

1 pound;

Olive Oil:

1/3 cup;

Garlic, thinly sliced:

6 cloves;

Crushed Red Pepper Flakes (optional):

1/2 teaspoon;

Lemon Zest:

Zest of 1 lemon;

Lemon Juice:

Juice of 1 lemon;

Parmesan Cheese, freshly grated:

1/2 cup, plus more for serving;

Fresh Parsley, chopped:

1/2 cup;

Salt and Black Pepper:

To taste.

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Instructions

Cook the Spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain.
Sauté Garlic and Red Pepper: Heat olive oil in a skillet, add garlic and red pepper flakes, sauté until fragrant.
Add Lemon and Combine: Add lemon zest and juice, stir to combine. Toss drained pasta in the skillet.
Add Parmesan and Parsley: Toss pasta with Parmesan and parsley until coated.
Adjust Consistency and Seasoning: Add reserved pasta water gradually. Season with salt and black pepper.
Serve: Top with extra Parmesan and enjoy!