Description
This Creamy Caesar Pasta is a unique and flavorful twist on the classic Caesar salad! Bucatini pasta is tossed in a rich and creamy sauce with Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and a hint of anchovy. Topped with crunchy breadcrumbs, it’s a simple yet satisfying dish that’s perfect for a quick weeknight meal.
Ingredients
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- 4 tablespoons salted butter
- 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 pound bucatini or spaghetti
- 4 ounces Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (from 1-2 lemons)
- 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 ounces anchovies, drained and minced (see notes)
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Optional garnish: fresh chopped parsley, extra Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Make Breadcrumbs: Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add breadcrumbs and garlic powder; cook until golden brown. Set aside.
- Cook Pasta: Cook pasta according to package directions in salted boiling water. Reserve 1 ยฝ cups pasta water before draining.
- Make Caesar Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and egg. Set aside.
- Sautรฉ Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic, anchovies, red pepper flakes, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute.
- Finish Sauce: Pour the Caesar sauce mixture into the skillet and cook for 1 minute. Whisk in 1 cup of reserved pasta water and cook until thickened.
- Assemble and Serve: Add cooked pasta to the skillet and toss with the sauce. Add more pasta water if needed for desired consistency. Top with breadcrumbs, parsley, and extra Parmesan cheese (if desired). Serve immediately.
Notes
- You can reduce the amount of anchovy to 1 ounce for a milder flavor.
- If you don’t have bucatini, you can use spaghetti or another long pasta shape.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the anchovies and use vegetable broth instead of pasta water.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ยผ cups
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 1000mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 100mg