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Pasta with Breadcrumbs is a quick, easy, and traditional Italian meal you can make with just a few simple ingredients. Perfect when you just need something fast!
Also known as Pasta ca Muddica, pasta with breadcrumbs is a traditional dish in the Southern part of Italy. I first learned what it was years ago on the Food Network when Giada shared her version. It quickly became my go to for lunch or when I just needed something fast.

I first shared this recipe back in 2012, so it is definitely time that it gets updated just a little bit. It is one of those dishes that I make often enough, but just never think to take new pictures or update the recipe to make it easier to read.
Pasta with breadcrumbs is one of those recipes that you can make in just a few minutes, with pantry ingredients, so you don’t have to have anything thawed or prepped. So it is great for super busy weeknights, quick lunches, or when you are just feeling lazy!
It also happens to be a meat-free recipe, so if you have vegetarian friends or are just trying to eat a little less meat this is a great one! That being said, I have seen people add anchovies or chopped prosciutto before, so there are ways to add protein as well.
What You’ll Need
Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the post for the FULL PRINTABLE recipe card.
- Olive Oil
- Seasoned Breadcrumbs – if you have old bread it is great to use and make your own breadcrumbs to take this to a whole new level!
- Garlic
- Red Pepper Flakes
- Salt & Pepper
- Parsley
- Parmesan Cheese – freshly grated for the best results
- Spaghetti – you really could use any shape or cut of pasta you like
Helpful Tools
How To Make Pasta with Breadcrumbs
- Cook Pasta. Bring a pot of water to boil and cook your pasta according to the package directions.
- Toast Breadcrumbs. In a small skillet heat olive oil over medium heat. Add in the garlic and red pepper flakes and let them cook for for a few minutes to soften and infuse the oil. Add the breadcrumbs, salt & pepper to the oil and mix until well coated. Cook for a few minutes until the bread is lightly toasted, be sure to stir frequently.
- Toss. Add your cooked pasta to the breadcrumbs and toss together with the Parmesan cheese and parsley.
Recipe Tips & Suggestions
- Be careful to not burn the breadcrumbs when you are toasting them, you will want to stir almost constantly.
- The coarser the breadcrumbs the more texture and flavor your dish is going to have. So if you have day old bread, pulse it in the food processor to make your own breadcrumbs! You can add whatever herbs or spices you would like to flavor them.
- Use a good quality olive oil. This dish has very few ingredients, so what you use will stand out. A good olive oil will really add great flavor to this dish.
- Brighten up the flavor by squeezing a little bit of lemon juice over the pasta right before you serve it!
- This recipe is great because you can make as much or as little as you like. If it is just you, cut the recipe in half. If you are making it for your whole family you can double it. It doesn’t take any more or less time to adjust the size.
Storage
I think this is one of those dishes that is best enjoyed the day it is made. The breadcrumbs lose their crispness as it sits. But it will last in the fridge for a day or two, it just won’t be quite the same when you reheat it.
More Easy Pasta Recipes
Pasta with Breadcrumbs
Ingredients
- 8 oz dried spaghetti
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/3 cup Italian breadcrumbs
- 2 Tablespoons Parmesan cheese
- 2 Tablespoons parsley
Instructions
- Bring a pot of water to boil and cook the pasta according to the package instructions.
- In a skillet heat oil over medium heat. Once at the garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook for a couple minutes for the garlic to soften and infuse the oil.
- Add the breadcrumbs, salt and pepper stir to coat. Cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring frequently to lightly toast the breadcrumbs
- Add the drained pasta and toss with Parmesan cheese and parsley to serve.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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this is my favourite kind of pasta, seriously! it’s faster to prepare than people think it is, and it is YUMMY!!! I can live with this type of aglio e olio pasta. I’m crazy about this! Pinning this now…
I’m with you – I like the lighter sauced pastas…and this one is perfect!
I have to say, your pasta is simple and delicious, way better than cereal for dinner!
I’ll take a simple pasta dish like this any day! This sounds delish! Love the breadcrumbs!
Hope you had fun with your parents!
I love simple pasta dishes like this, and well, the mention of anything garlic gets my mouth watering. ๐
Oh, does this look like the best comfort food in the world! Allen.
I absolutely LOVE breadcrumb pasta… all those carbs can’t be beat! Comfort food at its best!!! I wish I could get my husband to eat it, then I would make it a lot more!
Oh my goodness, this sounds like me and my husband. When I have no inspiration for dinner and ask what he feels like (actually sometimes hoping he will say that he will cook) he usually says, I’ll just have a bowl of cereal. I’m NOT a cereal person either. So I usually do the same thing- boil up some pasta and make a quick sauce or just put some cheese on top. I have a feeling tonight is going to be one of those nights since I haven’t taken anything out of the freezer. Maybe I’ll try your idea ๐
I’ve never had pasta like this, but it sounds like a fantastic, slightly crunchy treat ๐
That does sound good…love easy light pasta dishes as well ๐
Hope you had a great weekend with you parents visit!