Orecchiette with Toasted Bread Crumbs
Elevate your weeknight pasta game with this irresistible recipe for Orecchiette with Toasted Bread Crumbs. Featuring tender, bowl-shaped orecchiette pasta tossed in a fragrant garlic-chili oil and topped with golden, crispy bread crumbs, this dish is a perfect marriage of texture and flavor. Fresh parsley and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese add brightness and richness, while a touch of pasta water creates a silky, light sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes, this simple yet elegant recipe is a celebration of wholesome ingredients and classic Italian techniques—ideal for an effortless dinner that's big on taste.
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Ingredients
- 400 g Orecchiette pasta
- 100 g Bread crumbs (preferably homemade or Panko)
- 60 ml Extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 Garlic cloves
- 1 tsp Red chili flakes
- 15 g Fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 50 g Parmesan cheese, grated
- 20 g Unsalted butter
- 1 to taste Salt
- 1 to taste Black pepper
Directions
Step 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the orecchiette pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
Step 2
While the pasta is cooking, heat 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the bread crumbs and toast them, stirring frequently, until golden brown and crispy, about 3-5 minutes. Remove the bread crumbs from the skillet and set aside.
Step 3
In the same skillet, add the remaining olive oil (30 ml) and the butter. Melt over medium heat, then add the garlic cloves, minced, and sauté until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
Step 4
Stir in the red chili flakes and cook for 30 seconds to bloom their flavor.
Step 5
Return the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat it in the garlic-chili oil. Add a few splashes of the reserved pasta cooking water to create a light sauce, if needed.
Step 6
Fold in the toasted bread crumbs, finely chopped parsley, and grated Parmesan cheese. Toss everything together until well combined. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Step 7
Divide the pasta among serving plates, garnish with extra parsley and Parmesan if desired, and serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (663.2g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 2727.2 |
| Total Fat 105.4g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 29.5g | 0% |
| Cholesterol 94.3mg | 0% |
| Sodium 3976.0mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 370.3g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 12.6g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 11.0g | |
| Protein 82.3g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 0IU | 0% |
| Calcium 970.6mg | 0% |
| Iron 17.6mg | 0% |
| Potassium 826.4mg | 0% |
Source of Calories