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–+ servings

Fettuccine with Spicy Anchovy Bread Crumbs Dinner Recipe

This fettuccine recipe combines the bold, salty flavor of anchovies with a bright lemon butter sauce and crispy, spicy bread crumbs for a satisfying dinner.
The dish is quick to make and delivers a perfect balance of textures and flavors, ideal for seafood lovers seeking a unique pasta dinner.
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Cook Time 20 minutes
Course Dinner
Cuisine Italian-inspired
Servings 2

Equipment

  • 10-inch skillet
  • Large pot

Ingredients
  

  • Kosher salt as needed
  • 8 ounces fettuccine or linguine
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • ½ cup panko bread crumbs
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 6 to 10 oil-packed anchovy fillets coarsely chopped
  • Finely grated zest of ½ lemon
  • Juice of ½ lemon or more to taste
  • Chopped fresh parsley as needed (optional)

Instructions
 

  • Cook the Pasta: Fill a large pot with heavily salted water and bring it to a boil. Add the fettuccine and cook until it's just slightly underdone, shy of al dente. This ensures the pasta finishes cooking in the sauce later. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
  • Toast the Bread Crumbs: In a 10-inch skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the panko bread crumbs and stir frequently, allowing them to toast until they turn a deep golden brown, about 5 to 7 minutes. Once toasted, transfer the bread crumbs to a separate bowl.
  • Make the Sauce: Using the same skillet, return it to medium heat and add the butter, chopped anchovies, and lemon zest. Stir the mixture as the butter melts, using a fork to mash and break up the anchovies until they fully integrate into the sauce.
  • Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the anchovy mixture. Toss everything together and let the pasta cook briefly in the sauce, about 1 minute, until it’s fully coated and heated through. Remove the skillet from the heat, then stir in the lemon juice and the toasted bread crumbs. Toss the pasta to evenly distribute the flavors.
  • Garnish and Serve: For an optional finishing touch, sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the pasta before serving. Enjoy immediately while warm.

Notes

  • For a spicier kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes while cooking the anchovy sauce.
  • Adjust the lemon juice to taste for a brighter flavor.
  • This recipe works well with other pasta shapes, such as spaghetti or bucatini.
Keyword Anchovy pasta recipe, dinner recipe, Lemon butter pasta, Panko bread crumb pasta, quick dinner ideas, Spicy fettuccine recipe
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