Buttery Garlic Pasta with Crispy Breadcrumbs and Peas
Ingredients
- ·pasta (short shapes like penne or fusilli)
- 4 tablespoonbutter
- 3 clovesgarlic
- 1½ cupfrozen peas
- ½ cuppanko breadcrumbs
- ·parmesan cheese
- ·salt
- ·black pepper
- ·red pepper flakes (optional)
Prep
- 01
Mince 3 cloves garlic.
- 02
Grate or finely shred parmesan cheese (about 1/2 cup for serving).
Method
- 01
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions until tender. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain.
- 02
While pasta cooks, melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add breadcrumbs and cook, stirring often, for 3 to 4 minutes until golden and fragrant. Transfer to a small bowl and set aside.
- 03
In the same skillet, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant (do not brown).
- 04
Add frozen peas and cook for 2 minutes, stirring gently, until warmed through.
- 05
Add cooked pasta to the skillet along with 1/2 cup of reserved pasta water. Toss gently over low heat for 1 to 2 minutes until everything is well coated and creamy. Add more pasta water if needed for a silky sauce.
- 06
Season with salt and a pinch of black pepper to taste. Divide among bowls and top with crispy breadcrumbs and grated parmesan cheese. Serve warm.
Spice Tips
This recipe is naturally mild and kid-approved. If serving adults too, pass red pepper flakes at the table for a gentle kick. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice added at the end brightens the butter without adding heat.