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    Home » Recipes

    pasta pangrattato with fried egg

    Published: Aug 19, 2019 · Modified: Jun 16, 2021 by Marni Katz · This post may contain affiliate links

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    “This post may contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using this link.”

    Pasta pangrattato is one of those hard dishes to remember the name of but so simple to make.  Add a fried egg on top and you have a complete meal made in less than 30 minutes.

    This recipe comes originally from Smitten Kitchen, but as usual, I have tried to simplify it even more.  The first few times I made it, I found myself referring to the recipe over and over again.  

    pasta pangrattato on a white plate with a fried egg on top with a fork next to it

    Maybe it’s because I wanted to get it just right, or maybe I was totally tired.  But I really wanted to create a recipe for you that you could just learn. One that you could turn to time and time again.  A simple recipe that could make on a moments notice when everyone comes home at the end of the day a little bit “hangrier” than expected.

    This post may contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using this link

    What’s is pasta pangrattato?

    Pangrattato is Italian for grated breadcrumbs.  Traditionally it has been used as a poor man’s Parmesan, but in this simple pasta pangrattato we are still going to use Parmesan because its just so good.

    And when it comes to Parmesan, buy the best you can afford. If you can grate it yourself, even better. If you are buying already grated cheese, make sure it is finely grated for this recipe.

    up close toasted breadcrumbs in a black pan

    Is this really a simple pasta dish?

    Yes, I promise.  It looks like there are a lot of steps and a lot of ingredients, but they really are all pantry staples.  Let’s start with the panko breadcrumbs. I suggest panko because I find that the crisp up the best, but you could use any unseasoned bread crumbs you like.  Make your own, that’s awesome! They will totally work here as well.

    The bread crumbs get their flavor from the garlic, lemon zest and herbs.  Don’t have fresh herbs, feel free to use dried. Like things a bit spicier, feel free to add red pepper flakes into the mix.  The goal in this pasta pangrattato is to start with a delicious bread crumb mixture to really bring great flavor to an otherwise simple pasta dish.

    up close crispy edge of a fried egg over pasta pangrattato

    The pasta can be any shape you like.  I like long skinny pasta in this dish.  Think spaghetti, angel hair or fettuccine noodles, but any pasta you have on hand will work.  It’s all about texture here, so the only pasta I would steer away from would be things that are tubular (like mostaccoli, penna, and rigatoni), because you wouldn’t want all the pangrattato to get stuck in the pasta.

    Make sure you salt the pasta cooking water well.  Add more salt than you think as it’s the only chance you have to season the pasta itself.

    Why add a fried egg to this pasta dish?

    The fried egg brings this pasta pangrattato dish together.  It adds some richness to the pasta mixture and a protein to the meal.  It feels decadent, but is so simple. It’s really important to know how to make a fried egg and this is a great meal to practice with.

    oozing egg yolk of a fried egg over pasta pangrattato

    Tips and Tricks:

    • Always make your fried eggs in olive oil.  You’ll want delicious crispy wispy edges and the best way to achieve this is with a big glug of evoo.  Deb Perlman of Smitten Kitchen taught me how to make these the best so I’ll defer to her here.
    • If you don’t have panko, use regular bread crumbs, if you don’t have bread crumbs, use panko.  If you have neither, you can make your own by toasting some bread and blitzing it in the vitamix or food processor
    • Work quickly on this recipe, you’ll want the pasta ready to go when the fried eggs are ready, so that the yummy, runny yolk can be mixed in for that little something extra.
    • Breadcrumbs can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container for a day or two.

    Looking for other simple,yet delicious pasta dishes? Check some of my favorites out here:

    • One pan lemon garlic pasta
    • One pan tomato basil pasta

     

    pasta pangrattato with fried egg

    Marni Katz
    Pasta pangrattato is one of those hard dishes to remember the name of but so simple to make.  Add a fried egg on top and you have a complete meal made in less than 30 minutes.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 10 mins
    Total Time 25 mins
    Course Dinner
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 6 servings
    Calories 511 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    Crumbs

    • 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
    • 1 clove garlic minced or one frozen cube
    • ½ cup panko or plain breadcrumbs
    • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
    • 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary or basil if easy to get minced
    • Salt
    • Red pepper flakes optional

    Fried Egg

    • 2 generous pours of olive oil olive oil
    • 4 egg
    • Salt and pepper to taste

    Pasta

    • 1 lb pasta 16 oz
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • ⅔ cup Parmesan

    Instructions
     

    Make the Bread Crumbs & Pasta

    • Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil.
    • In a medium pan over medium heat, heat the olive oil or melt the butter. Once the oil is hot, add the garlic and saute for only 15-30 seconds, so that it doesn’t burn
    • Add the panko and toss in olive oil and garlic. Let the panko get toasty, stirring every few minutes.
    • Add the lemon zest and herbs once the breadcrumbs are light brown and then turn off the heat. Transfer the breadcrumbs to a small bowl.
    • The water should be boiling by now, so add the pasta to the boiling water and cook according to the directions on the package
    • Once the pasta is done, drain and reserve some of the pasta cooking water.  
    • Return the pasta to the pan and toss with parm and garlic breadcrumbs

    Fried Eggs

    • Wipe out the breadcrumb pan with a paper towel. Pour a generous amount of olive oil into the pan and heat until oil is just shimmering.
    • Gently crack two eggs into the pan making sure they don’t touch. These eggs will crack and splatter so stand back
    • Cook until the edges get lacey and then carefully flip over. Cook on the second side until egg is set to your preference.

    Assembly

    • Divide pasta into bowls and top each one with a fried egg.  Enjoy while hot!  

    Notes

    Always make your fried eggs in olive oil.  You’ll want delicious crispy wispy edges and the best way to achieve this is with a big glug of Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
    If you don't have panko breadcrumbs, you can easily substitute your favorite store bought or homemade breadcrumbs. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 511kcalCarbohydrates: 64gProtein: 20gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 144mgSodium: 402mgPotassium: 248mgFiber: 3gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 297IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 185mgIron: 2mg
    Keyword 30 minute meal, easy pasta recipe, pangrattato recipe
    Tried this recipe?Let me know what you think!

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    About Marni Katz

    Marni Katz is the recipe developer, photographer and writer behind Simple Gray T-Shirt. She wants to help people keep things simple in the kitchen. With simple recipes, easy menu ideas and plenty of tips and tricks along the way, she wants getting a meal on the table to be as simple as putting on your favorite gray tee!
    "I want to inspire you to get back in the kitchen and do this, because you can!"

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Lisa

      May 02, 2020 at 4:13 pm

      When/what I’d the reserved pasta water for?

      Reply
      • Marni Katz

        May 09, 2020 at 8:10 am

        Lisa - great catch. In most pasta dishes I like to keep the pasta water to loosen the sauce up if needed. Here you can use it to help incorporate the Parmesan cheese with the pasta if you wanted. I'm going to update the recipe to indicate that's an optional step.

        Reply

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