Description
Ina Garten Midnight Pasta is a quick, comforting, and savory dish featuring smoky turkey bacon, creamy plant-based cheese, and simple pantry staples. Ready in under 30 minutes, it combines rich flavors and luscious textures, perfect for a late-night or anytime dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Primary Ingredients
- 8 ounces gluten-free spaghetti
- 4 ounces smoked turkey bacon, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 cup creamy plant-based cheese
- 1 tablespoon vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tablespoons grape juice
Instructions
- Prepare the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the gluten-free spaghetti until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve about one cup of pasta water before draining to help with the sauce’s consistency later.
- Cook the Smoked Turkey Bacon: While the pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the smoked turkey bacon pieces. Cook until golden and crispy, then remove from the pan and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the skillet.
- Sauté the Garlic: Add extra virgin olive oil to the skillet with the bacon fat and toss in the minced garlic cloves. Sauté gently on medium-low heat to release the fragrance but avoid browning, ensuring a sweet, mellow garlic flavor.
- Combine Ingredients and Build the Sauce: Return the cooked turkey bacon to the skillet, pour in grape juice, and stir in the vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural). Let the mixture simmer for a few minutes to meld the flavors, then add the creamy plant-based cheese. Stir continuously, adding reserved pasta water in small amounts to create a luscious, velvety sauce.
- Toss Pasta and Finish with Fresh Parsley: Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss thoroughly so every strand is coated with the flavorful sauce. Season generously with freshly cracked black pepper and sprinkle chopped fresh parsley on top before serving.
Notes
- Use a high-quality gluten-free spaghetti for the best texture and flavor absorption.
- Sauté garlic gently on medium-low heat to avoid bitterness in the sauce.
- Reserve pasta water to help bind your sauce and keep it silky.
- Simmer sauce gently to deepen flavors and create a smooth texture.
- Add fresh parsley just before serving to preserve its bright color and fresh taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: Ina Garten Midnight Pasta, quick pasta recipe, plant-based cheese pasta, smoked turkey bacon pasta, gluten-free pasta
