Ina Garten's Secret For A Flavor-Packed Summer Pasta

When the Barefoot Contessa opines on pasta, it's wise to pay attention. When she shares a secret that will elevate your summer pasta from ordinary to remarkable, it's worth trying immediately. Ina Garten, host of Food Network's "Barefoot Contessa," has made a name for herself by creating delicious yet simple recipes. Among the library of recipes in her cookbooks are many disparate pasta dishes. While Garten has not cornered the market on simple pasta dishes like this flavorful five-ingredient pasta recipe, she has a secret that you might never have heard of to provide a unique zest.

Recently, Insider tried nine of Garten's simplest pasta recipes and ranked them by how tasty they were. The unexpected step in the dish that Insider ranked the most delicious of the nine is the culinary star's simple but effective secret. Regardless of what cheeses or proteins you want to add to your summer pasta, taking this extra step will wow everyone who tries your dish.

Ina Garten says the secret to making her favorite summer pasta is giving the dish's basil, garlic, and tomatoes an olive oil bath. She isn't talking about a quick sprinkle, either. Instead, her recipe calls for allowing those three ingredients to fully soak in olive oil for at least four hours (via Insider). While fresh produce will make for the best flavor, according to Lloyd's Cuts, you don't need to splurge to provide your fresh basil, garlic, and tomatoes with this luxurious soak. One of the best olive oils that won't break the bank like Kirkland Signature Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil will do just fine for these purposes.

Insider says the extra preparation of these three ingredients transformed the tomatoes from an accompaniment into the star of the dish. Other than the simplicity of just setting your basil, garlic, and tomatoes in a bowl and then covering them in olive oil, this secret is fantastic because its components are pantry staples. With just a little prep work, you can treat yourself and others to a summer pasta that will taste like a seasoned chef's masterpiece. The Barefoot Contessa's secret is now yours.