Who doesn’t love bread? Who doesn’t love pasta?
Well if you’ve got some old bread that you hate to see go to waste and some pasta in the house, here’s a classic Italian recipe for you. This pasta dish is easy and delicious while not tossing out that old bread or feeding it to the birds (although feeding it to the birds is OK too)! Spaghetti with Toasted Garlic Breadcrumbs is a delicious and economical way to use them in an entree!
Or maybe you’ve been looking for some new meatless, yet tasty and filling recipes?
This recipe is for a mild-flavored pasta that is seriously ‘cucina povera’ (food of the poor). You’ll never find this on a menu in a restaurant, that’s for sure!
This dish has a delicious and pleasing crunch with the toasted, garlic-y breadcrumbs plus a tiny bit of heat with the dried red chili pepper flakes (of course if you don’t like heat, you can eliminate the chili pepper flakes). Many people add anchovies (which I love, but my husband does not), so it’s any easy recipe to add whatever you like, even green and/or black olives have been added to this pasta.
To add more of an intense flavor to this mild-flavored pasta, blend in some basil pesto to the taste level that you or your guests prefer (store-bought is OK too; here’s an easy link for pesto). My husband isn’t a fan of pesto, so he doesn’t add any it at all.
Me, on the other hand? I just love basil pesto, so I really enjoy amping up the flavor with it. I’ve provided a link ‘fresh basil pesto’ to take you directly to the recipe and the how-to’s of making home-made basil pesto.
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This pasta recipe is from the Southern Italian provence of Calabria and is quite common in the ‘toe’ area of the boot-shaped country. As I mentioned above, it typifies the foods prepared by those who could not afford other ingredients, thus it is truly peasant food. This meatless dish is traditionally eaten on Fridays in Lent and/or Christmas Eve in Italy when Catholics are not supposed to eat meat.
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Being close to the sea, anchovies are commonly added in Calabria. If you love anchovies as much as I do, always buy the best imported anchovies that you can find. Here’s a link to help you buy Italian anchovies. While on the Amalfi Coast, I bought the freshest and most delicious anchovies fresh from the sea!
Oh my goodness, I cannot tell you what a difference it makes to buy the real deal that is so straight out of the sea FRESH!
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Incredibly delicious crostini with fresh anchovies in olive oil enjoyed on the Amalfi Coast, Italy!
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Take a dried out loaf of bread (in this case I used some dried focaccia bread).
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This foccacia was already seasoned very nicely!
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Using a food processor, chop the bread until nice breadcrumbs form.
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.Toast the breadcrumbs until a beautiful golden brown color is achieved
.And now here is the full recipe for you; remember to always add more or less of any ingredient to suit your taste preferences!
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PinIngredients
- 1 lb. thin spaghettini
- 1 tsp. salt for the pasta
- 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- a small onion, finely chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1 pinch oregano
- 1/4 tsp. freshly cracked black pepper
- 1–1/2 cups seasoned and dried breadcrumbs
- 1 Tbsp. butter
- 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 1/4 tsp. dried red chili pepper flakes (pepperoncini)
- small fresh basil leaves and shaved parmesan to garnish
- 1/4 cup basil pesto (homemade or store-bought) to pass around and offer to guests to mix into their pasta if desired.
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling, salted water (1-1/2 tsp), until AL DENTE.
- Drain, reserving 1 cup of the pasta water.
- Gently heat 3 Tbsp. of olive oil in a large, heavy frying pan over medium (do not burn).
- Add the onion and garlic. cooking until fragrant, about a minute or two (do not burn).
- Mix in another 1/2 tsp. salt and the oregano, black pepper, and red chili pepper flakes.
- Remove from the heat and set aside.
- In the same frying pan, add the remaining olive oil and butter and gently heat on medium.
- Add the breadcrumbs and cook until toasted golden brown and fragrant, stirring frequently so they do not burn, about 2 – 3 minutes.
- Turn off the stove burner.
- Mix into the toasted breadcrumbs: the sauteed garlic, onion, oregano, chili pepper, salt and pepper mixture.
- Mix in the parmesan cheese.
- When the pasta is finished cooking, toss the pasta into the frying pan with the breadcrumb mixture gently tossing to coat the pasta evenly.
- Add some reserved pasta water OR olive oil if needed to loosen the pasta, adding about 1/4 cup at a time until your preferred consistency is achieved (I used a whole cup of the reserved pasta water and another 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil.
- Transfer to a large pasta platter and garnish with basil leaves and shaved Parmesan cheese.
- Offer basil pesto to guests to add to their pasta if desired.
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TThis is one of my most popular recipes of all times and has been pinned over 10,000 times.
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I’m going to be very clever with my response to this …. YUM! So simple and so delicious. I’m swimming in pesto right now, so would definitely mix some of that in. Looks so good Roz.
Simplicity seems to never fail when it comes to pasta, Lea Ann! Just a dab of pesto is all it takes for declisousness!
xo
Roz
This sounds like the perfect pasta for a busy weeknight and I always have some bread that needs to be used!
Pam
Sidewalk Shoes
It is super easy too Pam! An old classic recipe that has very humble beginnings.
xo
Roz
Color me a peasant – I know I would love this dish and absolutely with the anchovies.
I’ll do the same Larry! Anchovies always make a recipe so much better!
Oh my Goodness! WE LOVE this dish! This is my husbands absolute favorite, instead of anchovies they add fresh sardines -of course he is from Sicily! Lol….. they call this dish ” pasta con sarde” <3 !!
Oh yes, if your husband is from Sicily, then I’m sure that both of you not only love this dish, but also know how to prepare it much better than I do! I didn’t know what the official ‘name’ is for it, so I’ve learned something new!
xo
Roz
Oh yes … a gorgeous pasta fix, here! Good job bringing us such a simple, economical, and totally killer carb fix, Roz!
I was thinking the same thing Susan, this is a carb buster alright!
Roz
What a mouthwatering dish of spaghetti- so full of flavors! (But I’ll pass on the anchovies please.) This would be perfect for supper any time. 🙂
Hi Betty, it’s a very easy supper recipe with or without anchovies! Enjoy!
Roz
This looks perfect for an easy summer supper. I’m so glad you mentioned to buy the best anchovies you can find. That is just so true and there is a world of difference in quality in the world of anchovies.
Sam
Sam, I agree that whenever possible to always buy the best ingredients that make an incredibly big difference!
Roz
I am seriously HUNGRY! This looks so Italian and delicious!
Thanks Angie, it is humble, it is mild, and it is yummy!
xo
Roz
Oh my…looks scrumptious! This is definitely going on this weeks menu, as your recipes never let me down!
You are so sweet and so very gracious in this comment Nancy! Thank you so much! I really appreciate sharing all of my recipes with you!
xo
Roz
What a fantastic, meatless meal! I’ve never tried this pasta before…and I’d definitely add pesto 🙂
LIke you, Liz, I prefer the added zip of pesto in this very mild pasta dish . . . it’s a classic though. Great for meatless recipe lovers!
xo
Roz
toasting the breadcrumbs with the strong garlic flavor as a topping is GENIUS
You’re right Jessica . . . somehow poverty brings the most ingenious recipes simply from necessity!
xo
Roz
As a mostly non-meat eater, this pasta is perfect, Roz. I am delighted, too, that I now have a delectable remedy for the bread that has been in my freezer a tad too long.
P.s. Love anchovies, too!
Kim,
I need to include more meatless meals in my nutrition for a variety of reasons! I love the anchovies too!
xo
Roz
I adore anchovies, but I usually don’t get the chance to cook with them. This not only gives me a way to scarf up some little savory fishies, but find a way to use up any stale bread too in a pasta dish no less 😀
Oh Rochelle, whenever I have old, stale bread around, I think of ways that I can use it up in a good recipe and this one’s a classic, old Italian recipe. Thanks for your kind comment!
Roz
This looks amazing! I love finding meatless recipes and this will be on the menu 🙂
Hey Lisa, I, too, am enjoying more meatless recipes! I’ll be right over to check out what’s going on in your cucina!
xo
Roz
Terrific photos. I love this simple but flavorful dish. I’m like you, I like anchovy added to the dish for a nice depth of flavor.
I first topped pasta with flavored breadcrumbs last year after reading a post on another friend’s blog. I loved it.
What a great way to repurpose stale bread! I’m a pasta lover. I’m adding this to my “fast food at home” list.
This is a classic way to prepare pasta in an inexpensive way. I hope you enjoy it if you try it Debby!
Be well,
Roz
I grew up on this, yummy 🙂
I just printed out your Spaghetti/Breadcrumb recipe and yes, I will serve this with pesto to night – merci!
Love your recipe here…it’s become a favorite in my home! Thought you would find it interesting that a new restaurant opened nearby….”Gigi’s Cucina Povera.” Lots of amazing Sicilian dishes incorporating these ingredients!
My grandmother use to make this. She was from Sicily. She called it pasta con sarde. They called it peasant food. Restaurants will charge $20 a plate!! Imagine that!
Hi Roz, I just had to let you know I made this for dinner tonight, and my husband and I absolutely loved it! We loved the garlic and red pepper in it. It was so flavorful. The only problem was it made a lot, and I wanted to eat the whole bowl! It was hard to make myself quit. It is such a unique recipe from what we are used to, but it is going to be a regular one now. Thanks so much for sharing it!
I’m from an Italian family in Louisiana and I grew up eating the toasted bread crumbs on top of my spaghetti. I was always told it was called madika. Although none of us know for sure the spelling of it I was wondering if anyone knew exactly how it is spelled and if their family has called it the same thing.
Hey Dawn, it’s spelled Muddica- means breadcrumbs. Grew up on them, too. It was also called ” poor man’s cheese” because some families couldn’t afford cheese.
Thank you for this clarification Mick! I hope that you have a wonderful new year!!!
Roz
Thanks Dawn! I love this classic Italian dish too! Thanks for your visit! Have a Happy New Year!
Roz
Simple but delicious is always best!!
So true Val!
this looks delicious, I love simple pasta dish ! Un abbraccio
Oh Roz…I am definitely going to be making this!!! We love simple pasta dishes and this one is perfect! Thanks so much for sharing.
I love this beautiful pasta dish, Roz. I wish I could find some of those lovely, fresh anchovies here to try!
What a lovely pasta dish Roz! I love pasta with crunchy breadcrumbs, it is so addictive! A beautiful Italian dish indeed.
Roz, This is such a beautiful and delicious pasta dish! My grandmother (from Calabria) made it often, and it always hit the table on Christmas Eve with the feast of Seven Fishes. Thank you for the post….it brought back many great family memories!
Dear Diane,
I’m so glad to read that this recipe brings back such wonderful memories of your grandmother! What a wonderful compliment! I hope you stop by again to visit and to keep in touch as well!
Ciao,
Roz
Where are the anchovies!? I will definitely add some to this recipe; I buy them at an Italian supermarket. My basil is ready to harvest and I have a bottle of seasoned olive oil – a gift from my sister.
Hi Mpaula!
I love anchovies, but sadly my husband doesn’t. I mentioned that it is popular to add anchovies in the post. I’m sure your addition of those awesome little fish will be awesome!!!! I had them when I was in Amalfi and they were straight out of the sea. Magnificent!