Pasta with brown butter and bread crumbs

March 12th, 2012

Pasta with brown butter and breadcrumbs

This past weekend, my husband and I stole away for 48 hours with friends to Palm Springs.

We have been working like crazy, and parenting like crazy (is there any other way?!) and it was absolutely heaven to sneak out for a couple of days. I did not check email. I did not use my phone, except to check on the kids. For the first day it was actually really hard. And trust me, I never thought I would say it was hard to relax enough to read a magazine and hang out with my friends.

I even took a nap. Can’t remember the last time that happened.

So when we arrived home yesterday evening, and I was still (a little) relaxed and faced with having to whip up dinner- I went the easy route. I pulled basics out.

Basics that everyone has in their kitchen: dried pasta, butter and bread. Easy, right? But delicious too!

Pasta with brown butter and breadcrumbs

This is the most simple and tasty pasta dish. It is full of warm, nutty flavors and an array of textures, and the most important of all- it takes 10 minutes to make this and couldn’t be easier. I served this with a big salad- but it would be so easy to add some chicken, beef or seafood to this meal too.

Pasta with brown butter and bread crumbs, serves 6
1 lb angel hair pasta
4 Tbs butter
2 slices bread torn into pieces (I used white sandwich bread- but you could use any type at all, even a roll!)
Kosher salt and Black pepper to taste

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Put on a large pot of salted water to boil.

Put the butter in a small saucepan, and turn on over low heat.

Pasta with brown butter and breadcrumbs

In the bowl of a food processor, pulse the bread until you have a fine crumb.

pasta with brown butter and breadcrumbs

Transfer the bread crumbs to a sheet pan, by this time the butter will be melted. Drizlze a small spoonful of the melted butter over the breadcrumbs, and combine the butter and bread. (leave the butter over the heat.)

pasta with brown butter and breadcrumbs

Toast the breadcrumbs until golden brown, 5-6 minutes.

Pasta with brown butter and breadcrumbs

Meanwhile, add the pasta to the boiling water, and cook to al dente according to manufacturers directions.

Keep cooking the butter over the low heat until dark and golden in color (but not burnt!)

When the pasta is done- drain it and add back to the pot.

Pasta with brown butter and breadcrumbs

Pour the brown butter over the pasta and toss to evenly coat the pasta. Season well with Kosher salt and Black Pepper.

Pasta with brown butter and breadcrumbs

Add a handful of the bread crumbs to the pasta and toss to combine.

Pasta with brown butter and breadcrumbs

Dish the pasta into bowls and top with a large spoonful of the breadcrumbs.

Pasta with brown butter and breadcrumbs

Serve hot and enjoy!

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  1. Vittoria says:

    Ive grown up on this dish in italy. Its called the poor mans pasta- but very good! How can you not love- its got bread and butter! My kids go crazy for it!! In poland, also my heritage, you use butter and breadcrumbs on top of veggies- like cauliflower and green beans- its the only way my kids will eat veggies!!!

    2:37 am on March 12th, 2012
  2. Maria says:

    I love the addition of bread crumbs!

    7:54 am on March 12th, 2012
  3. Liz Olver says:

    This is a delicious dish, and easy. I make it a lot, the only thing I do different is add finely diced bacon, sweet onion, garlic and parsley.

    8:21 am on March 12th, 2012
  4. Cassie says:

    I adore your simple pasta dishes, Heather. This sounds absolutely divine!

    9:01 am on March 12th, 2012
  5. susan says:

    I love brown butter anything. This pasta would make me very, very happy! And good for you for grabbing some much needed “me” time!

    9:01 am on March 12th, 2012
  6. Esi says:

    I love quick getaways to Palm Springs. I always feel so refreshed when I get back. It’s literally the most relaxing place ever.

    9:19 am on March 12th, 2012
  7. Vicki B says:

    Palm Springs! Such a wonderful place. And I am making this for dinner tonight.

    9:26 am on March 12th, 2012
  8. marla says:

    Yay! so happy to hear you guys got away to Palm Springs. This pasta looks amazing girl. Have a happy day :)

    9:54 am on March 12th, 2012
  9. Jennifer S E says:

    How simple – yet it looks delicious! Thank you for this great idea! It is 70 degrees right now and I know my kids will want to play after school for as long as possible. This quick and easy dinner will be served tonight!!

    11:44 am on March 12th, 2012
  10. Kristina Vanni says:

    Yum! A simple way to spruce up any pasta! What a great idea!

    12:18 pm on March 12th, 2012
  11. JenMarie says:

    Oh, I could drink brown butter.
    This is perfect. You’ve combined nearly all of my favorite foods. All I have to do is have brownie’s for dessert and I’m set.

    1:28 pm on March 13th, 2012
  12. Heather Christo says:

    ha! that is tomorrow!!

    1:30 pm on March 13th, 2012
  13. aida mollenkamp says:

    So glad you took some time off, Heather! I’m heading out to Palm Springs this weekend and am also hoping to get some rest!

    4:00 pm on March 13th, 2012
  14. Baker Street says:

    Pasta in brown butter!! Holy yum! Sounds perfect for dinner tonight.

    10:16 pm on March 14th, 2012
  15. Lucy Lean says:

    Deliciousness in its simplicity – glad you were able to get away and try to relax ; )

    11:31 am on March 15th, 2012
  16. Allison [Girl's Guide to Social Media] says:

    my sister would love this! i need to add to my recipe box stat.

    10:39 pm on March 16th, 2012
  17. Cindy says:

    This is truly simple food made best!

    6:18 pm on March 17th, 2012
  18. Brown Butter Blueberry Muffins and Brown Butter Recipes says:

    [...] via Running to the Kitchen Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Brown Butter and Sage from Love and Olive Oil Pasta with Brown Butter & Bread Crumbs from Heather Christo Cooks Butternut Squash Gnocchi with Brown Butter & Fried Sage from Eat, [...]

    5:10 am on October 7th, 2012
  19. butik baju korea murah says:

    Woa i didn’t know that it was going to be this simple. Thanks

    9:55 am on February 26th, 2013

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