Boil noodles in a large pot of water. Make sure to add salt to water before adding noodles. Cook noodles according to package direction by cutting time by 2 minutes. If the package says to cook for 10 minutes. Then only cook pasta for 8 minutes in boiling water. The additional time will be cooked in a skillet.
Over medium to high heat, heat Olive Oil or Butter. Add minced garlic and quickly saute. Being careful to not overcook as garlic tends to burn quickly.
Once pasta has cooked for allotted time and reached al dente. Carefully remove pasta from water and place in skillet making sure to reserve 1 cup of pasta water cooking liquid.
Toss the noodles with the garlic and add the reserved pasta water allowing the noodles to cook for the additional 2 minutes.
add half the lemon juice and at least 1 tablespoon of lemon zest right into the noodles along with some fresh basil.
As the time winds down on those final 2 minutes, go ahead and add the remaining lemon juice and finely grated Romano cheeses. Stir together allowing cheese to melt.
Serve pasta on a plate and garnish with additional lemon zest and basil. Extra cheese can also be used as well. Season with pepper to taste
Instant Pot Directions
Add enough water to cover pasta with salt to Instant Pot liner and carefully layer pasta in a criss cross method in the liquid. Place lid on. Seal pressure value and set Instant Pot to 3 minutes. Allowing for a 3 minute natural pressure release.
While Instant Pot is pressure cooking take the time to wash fresh herbs, grate cheese, and zest and juice lemons.
Open pressure value when cook time is complete and drain liquid making sure to reserve 1 cup of pasta water.
Heat Instant Pot using the Satue button and wait until it reads hot. Add Olive Oil or melt the Butter and minced garlic to saute until just golden.
Add pasta and 1 cup reserved liquid and allow pasta to saute for the 1-2 minutes. Most of the liquid will evaporate or absorb into the noodles.
Stirring occasionally as needed and add lemon juice and zest and continue to saute. Add fresh cut herbs to pasta and continue to stir.
Just before cooking time is complete, add freshly grated cheese. Cheese will melt with heat.
Serve pasta on plate and garnish with lemon zest, basil and extra cheese if desired. Season with pepper to taste
Notes
Substitutions.
There are many substitutions and I'm happy to share my tips!Pasta. Try Spaghetti, Linguini, Fetechini, or any pasta you preferHerbs. In this recipe you can substitute Fresh Mint for Basil. Although I do prefer Basil.Cheese. Romano Cheese is preferred but a good Parmesan Cheese is also excellent