Spicy Garlic Oil Pasta with Peas and Crispy Breadcrumbs
Ingredients
- 1 poundpasta (spaghetti or linguine)
- 2 cupsfrozen peas
- 6 clovesgarlic
- ¾ teaspoonred pepper flakes
- ½ cupolive oil
- ¾ cuppanko breadcrumbs
- 1lemon
- ¾ cupparmesan cheese
- ·salt
- ·black pepper
Prep
- 01
Mince 6 garlic cloves.
- 02
Cut 1 lemon into halves for juicing.
Method
- 01
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente, about 9 minutes. Reserve 1 cup pasta water before draining.
- 02
While pasta cooks, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add panko breadcrumbs and toast, stirring often, until golden and crispy, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
- 03
In the same skillet, add remaining olive oil and heat over medium. Add sliced garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook, stirring frequently, until garlic is golden and fragrant, about 2 minutes. Do not burn.
- 04
Add frozen peas to the skillet and cook for 2 minutes, stirring gently.
- 05
Add drained pasta to the skillet and toss to coat in the spicy oil. Add 1/2 cup pasta water and toss again. Add more pasta water as needed to create a light sauce that clings to the noodles.
- 06
Remove from heat. Squeeze lemon juice over the pasta, then toss in 1/2 cup parmesan. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- 07
Divide pasta among bowls. Top each with crispy breadcrumbs and a sprinkle of remaining parmesan.
Spice Tips
This recipe has a gentle heat from red pepper flakes. For more kick, increase flakes to 1 teaspoon or add a pinch of cayenne. For less heat, reduce to 1/2 teaspoon. A dash of hot sauce at the table lets diners adjust their own spice level.