The garlic powder gives a subtle flavor, we add the minced garlic for a more flavorful experience as well as for texture – since pasta can be bland. The same goes for minced onions. You can leave them out, but the final result won’t be nearly as tasty. However, if you prefer less flavor or aren’t used to having garlic and onions, leaving them out is an easy way to do that.

I’m sorry to hear that. Unfortunately, that can happen for a multitude of reasons – elevation, climate, size of the cooker, how the ingredients are measured, and even the brand of pasta. I would recommend reducing the water to 3 cups. But do keep in mind that this will thicken as it cools.