this little plate

Bucatini with Cavolo Nero

30 minsServes 4Ingredients:3 big slices day old sourdough, cut into peices3 garlic cloves, peeled3 tablespoons olive oil1 teaspoon lemon zest½ tbsp thyme leaves, picked¼ tsp salt¼ tsp of pepper400g dried bucatini80g butter (more if you love butter)3 cloves of garlic, finely chopped400g cavolo nero, de-stemmed and roughly chopped1 tsp chilli flakes½ cup parmesan + extra to serve¼ cup lemon juicegood pinch of salt and pepper1 cup pasta water1 tbsp olive oil
Rated 5/5 based on 1 customer reviews

Bucatini with Cavolo Nero

And Garlic Sourdough Breadcrumbs
Serves 4| Ready in 30 mins
article cover image

The best pasta dishes are often the simplest ones. This dish is easy as anything and flavour packed with earthy cavolo nero, crispy golden sourdough breadcrumbs, parmesan, lemon, garlic, thyme and chilli round out the delicious ingredient line up for one of the yummiest pasta you'll make.

Bucatini with Cavolo Nero

Bucatini with Cavolo Nero and Garlicy Sourdough Breadcrumbs is a spin on Pasta Aglio e Olio (Garlic and Olive Oil pasta) but souped-up with deep rich flavours of cavolo nero and crispy garlic and thyme breadcrumbs making this bucatini pasta dish outrageously yummy.

The steps to making this are simple and straightforward, which makes it perfect for a weeknight dinner when you’re firing on about 4% brain power and even less energy. Pull this one together on autopilot and enjoy.

What you need to make Bucatini with Cavolo Nero

Cavolo Nero, sourdough, lemon, butter, parmesan cheese, garlic, thyme, chilli flakes, salt, pepper, olive oil and bucatini
Sourdough
Day old works well
Olive oil & butter
Perfect fats for this dish
Lemon
Juice and zest
Thyme leaves
Brings a bright fragrance to the crispy breadcrumbs
Dried bucatini
You can also use spaghetti
Cavolo nero
Also called Tuscan kale, lacinato kale or black kale
Chilli flakes
For a little heat
Parmesan cheese
For creaminess and seasoning
Salt and pepper
For added flavour

How to make Bucatini with Cavolo Nero

Adding garlic and bread to a food processor
1. Make breadcrumb mixture

Put sourdough slices, garlic, and a pinch of salt in a food processor and pulse to make coarse breadcrumbs.

Breadcrumbs frying in a pan
2. Cook the crispy garlic breadcrumbs

Heat the 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a pan over medium heat, then add the breadcrumb mixture. Stir frequently, until the bread crumbs are golden brown and crispy, about 7 minutes. Turn off the heat and add lemon zest and thyme leaves. Put cooked breadcrumbs in a bowl and wipe out the pan for reuse.

Pasta cooking in a pot
3. Cook bucatini until al dente, adding a pinch of salt to the water.

Meanwhile, add butter and garlic to the pan, cook for a couple of minutes until the garlic just begins to brown and the butter becomes nutty and golden brown, then add in the cavolo nero, add chilli flakes and cook for another minute to soften.

Cavolo nero, garlic and chilli cooking in a pan
4. Cook garlic and cavolo nero

Meanwhile, add butter and garlic to the pan, cook for a couple of minutes until the garlic just begins to brown and the butter becomes nutty and golden brown, then add in the cavolo nero, add chilli flakes and cook for another minute to soften.

Pasta and parmesan cheese in a pan
5. Add sauce ingredients

Get your cup of pasta water before draining, then add in drained pasta, lemon juice, pasta water, parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper. Stir through so everything is combined, let it bubble together for a minute for the sauce to thicken, finish with olive oil.

A plate of pasta with cavolo nero and crispy breadcrumbs
6. Plate up

Serve onto plates and generously scatter the breadcrumbs and a little extra parmesan on top.

Watch how to make Bucatini with Cavolo Nero

Frequently asked questions & tips for Bucatini with Cavolo Nero

What even is Cavolo Nero?
Cavolo Nero is a type of kale originating from Italy. It’s has a striking deep blue green colour with long thin leaves and a ‘bubbly’ feeling texture, different to the more ubiquitous curly kale. It’s really versatile, you can eat it raw and add it to almost any type of stew, soup or pasta. You can blend it to make a delicious pasta sauce. I recommend removing the central stem as it can be a bit tough.
What substitutions can I make with Cavolo Nero?
If you can’t find it at your local, sub with curly kale, spinach, baby spinach, silverbeet, collard greens etc. Look for greens that wilt down as an easy swap.
What is Bucatini
Bucatini is really similar to spaghetti, but with a hole through the middle allowing for sauce to not only coat the outside of the pasta, but also travel through the pasta as well (yum). When cooked it’s a little thicker that spaghetti, but it handles just the same.
What meat could I add to this dish?
To make a heartier variation, adding your fave shellfish would be amazing. You could also add guanciale, pancetta, nduja, streaky bacon, chicken are some ideas. This dish is a great flavour base for almost any protein.
Delicious recipes, straight to your inbox
article cover image

Bucatini with Cavolo Nero

Cook Time
20 mins
Prep Time
10 mins
Serves
4
The best pasta dishes are often the simplest ones. This dish is easy as anything and flavour packed with earthy cavolo nero, crispy golden sourdough breadcrumbs, parmesan, lemon, garlic, thyme and chilli round out the delicious ingredient line up for one of the yummiest pasta you'll make.

For the breadcrumbs

  • 3 big slices day old sourdough, cut into peices
  • 3 garlic cloves, peeled
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • ½ tbsp thyme leaves, picked
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp of pepper

For the pasta

  • 400g dried bucatini
  • 80g butter (more if you love butter)
  • 3 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
  • 400g cavolo nero, de-stemmed and roughly chopped
  • 1 tsp chilli flakes
  • ½ cup parmesan + extra to serve
  • ¼ cup lemon juice
  • good pinch of salt and pepper
  • 1 cup pasta water
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
Category - Pasta
Cuisine - Italian inspired
Skill Level - Super easy
Other categories -
Pasta, Dinner, Weeknight meals, Vegetarian
Nutritional information
Calories 865.9 kcal43%
Carbohydrates 107.7 g36%
Sodium 977.1 mg42%
Magnesium 112.0 mg28%
Protein 26.3 g53%
Sugar 6.3 g7%
Calcium 469.1 mg47%
Vitamin A 216%
Fat 37.8 g58%
Fiber 8.9 g36%
Iron 5.3 mg30%
Vitamin C 125%

Create your account

Already have an account?
Preparing your Little Plate...
Explore categories
Made this and loved it? Leave a comment!
Be first to comment!
Preparing your Little Plate...