Name: Brown Butter Garlic Noodles with Toasted Breadcrumbs
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 150 grams noodles; 4 tbsp butter (cubed); 1 1/2 tsp garlic (finely chopped); 1/2 tbsp chilli flakes; salt; pepper; 1 cup bread crumbs (3 slices); 1/4 cup parmesan cheese

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Brown butter garlic pasta with toasted breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese served in a white pasta dish (bowl) placed on a white tile.

Unbelievably easy, yet delicious brown butter garlic pasta noodles tossed in crunchy, (baked & crispy) toasted golden breadcrumbs - simple, hearty and comforting vegetarian lunch or dinner noodle bowl.

Nothing makes me happier than a comforting bowl of golden, velvety, buttery pasta noodles tossed in a delicious and easy, brown butter "sauce" with a hint of garlic, lots of chilli flakes, pepper and topped with toasted bread crumbs + freshly grated parmesan. Forever fan of simple and quick meals made with pantry staples or basic kitchen essentials ready in less than 20 minutes. Plus this fits right into my current eating lifestyle of vegetarian meals.

Inspired by this recipe of simple Spaghetti aglio e olio, this is an elevated version with an addition of toasted bread crumbs and that brown butter sauce (or buerre noisette), which is really something special which adds that natural nuttiness, natural caramelisation and so much extra flavour to such a simple pasta recipe.

Brown butter garlic pasta with toasted breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese served in a non stick pan placed on a white tile.

How to brown butter?

Start by adding some cubed butter to a pot or a pan and let that melt over medium heat while stirring with a wooden spoon.
After a few seconds, you would notice the butter sizzling, forming a foamy texture. Continue stirring with the wooden spoon.
After about 3-4 minutes, the butter will start getting darker in colour (golden brown) and you would notice the milk solids getting toasted on the bottom of your pot or pan. (see video of the recipe right above the recipe card. Scroll down in this blog post)
This is your brown butter sauce that is caramelised and nutty. Switch the flame from medium to low and continue with the remaining steps of this recipe.

How to make brown butter garlic pasta noodles with toasted bread crumbs?

Ingredients

butter => regular salted butter to make a rich brown butter sauce
noodles => any kind of noodles. We used spaghetti pasta, you can use what ever you like, rice noodles should work fine to or other kinds of pasta (fusilli, penne, farfalle...)
garlic => freshly chopped garlic
spices => salt, pepper, chilli flakes
bread crumbs => golden brown crispy toasted bread crumbs for that extra crunch in every bite of this delicious vegetarian pasta.
cheese => freshly grated parmesan right before serving.

Steps

Toasted bread crumbs: Start by toasting some bread crumbs (3 slices blitzed in a food processor to form bread crumbs) by transferring them to a baking sheet and baking for 5 minutes in the oven until they get toasted.

Brown Butter Sauce: Add butter to a pan and let that melt over medium flame until a rich and nutty brown butter sauce is formed. Add garlic and mix for a few seconds. Add the boiled spaghetti, chilli flakes, salt and pepper. Mix well. Add crunchy toasted bread crumbs and mix. Transfer to serving bowls and add some freshly grated parmesan & serve.

Possible variations

add some grilled veggies (I normally bake them in the oven)
lots of grilled corn
serve with homemade garlic bread sticks
or a fresh arugula salad
or with quick and easy garlic toast
or homemade soft and eggless dinner rolls

If you liked this recipe, you might wanna check out all pasta recipes here.