Dragon Breath Pasta with Garlic Butter and Red Pepper Crunch
Ingredients
- 1 poundspaghetti or penne
- 6 tablespoonbutter
- 6 clovegarlic
- ½ teaspoonred pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoonkosher salt (plus more for pasta water)
- ¼ teaspoonblack pepper
- ¾ cuppanko breadcrumbs
- ¾ cupparmesan cheese
- 3 tablespoonfresh parsley
- 1lemon
Prep
- 01
Mince 6 cloves garlic.
- 02
Chop 3 tablespoons fresh parsley.
Method
- 01
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- 02
Meanwhile, in a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes, stirring constantly for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant and golden (watch so garlic doesn't burn).
- 03
Add panko breadcrumbs to the skillet, stirring often for 2 to 3 minutes until golden and toasted. Season with a pinch of salt and black pepper. Transfer to a small bowl and set aside.
- 04
Return the skillet to medium-low heat. Add the drained pasta and 1/2 cup of reserved pasta water, tossing to coat. Add salt and black pepper to taste. If the pasta looks dry, add more pasta water a little at a time.
- 05
Divide pasta among bowls. Top generously with toasted breadcrumb mixture and grated parmesan. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over each serving and garnish with fresh parsley.
Spice Tips
For milder heat, reduce red pepper flakes to 1/4 teaspoon. For a fierier Dragon Breath, go up to 3/4 teaspoon. A splash of hot sauce stirred into individual servings lets older kids customize their own spice level.
The red pepper flakes give it a fun kick that kids find thrilling without being too intense. The toasted breadcrumbs add satisfying crunch and texture. You can adjust the spice level by using less red pepper flakes (start with 1/4 teaspoon) if serving very young kids.