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Orecchiette with Kale and Breadcrumbs
That first bite of crunchy, golden breadcrumbs against the tender pasta is still my favorite part. I originally made this for a friend who was skeptical about kale, but she went back for seconds before the sauce even hit her plate.
Ingredients
Method
- Toast the breadcrumbs: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the breadcrumbs and cook, stirring frequently, until they are golden brown and crisp, about 4–5 minutes. Be careful not to burn them; if they start smelling bitter, remove them immediately. Transfer to a plate lined with a paper towel.
- Sauté aromatics: In the same skillet (do not wash it), add another tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to brown the garlic. Remove from heat.
- Cook the kale: Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add the orecchiette and cook according to package directions for al dente. In the last 2 minutes of pasta cooking time, add the chopped kale directly into the boiling water with the pasta. Drain both together, reserving about 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining completely.
- Combine: Return the drained pasta and kale to the pot (or back to the skillet if using one large pan). Pour in the garlic-infused oil from step 2. Add the toasted breadcrumbs and most of the lemon zest. Toss vigorously, adding splashes of reserved pasta water as needed to create a glossy sauce that clings to the noodles.
- Finish: Transfer to serving bowls. Top with remaining lemon zest and plenty of freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately while the crumbs are still crunchy.
Nutrition
Notes
The trick isn’t just the crunch; it’s toasting the breadcrumbs in olive oil until they’re deeply nutty, which adds a savory depth that simple dry toast can’t match. It comes together fast and feels substantial without weighing you down.
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