Bottarga Pasta Recipe

Bottarga Pasta Recipe

Prep: 10 mins

Cook: 20 mins

Total: 30 mins

Servings: 4 servings

If you’re not familiar with bottarga, this will be a new and exciting recipe to add to your repertoire. Bottarga is fish roe that’s been salted and then pressed and dried in what is essentially a curing process. It makes bottarga a satisfyingly savory ingredient, salty and packed with umami flavor. In this dish, it adds a deliciously salty punch of flavor to fresh pasta, parsley, garlic, red pepper flakes, and lemon.

While it can be a pricey item to keep on hand, you can usually find bottarga at specialty food stores or order it online. Purchase this ingredient grated in small amounts and add to vegetables, salads, pasta, on top of bagels, and even sprinkled on chowders and other soups.

This version of the pasta combines the salty, tangy flavor of bottarga with the spicy bite of red pepper flakes and the zest of lemon to create a well-rounded and simple dish. Pair this pasta with a lean protein like grilled chicken or prawns and a light green salad. You can add as much or as little of the red pepper as you desire, or you can remove it altogether if you aren’t a fan of spice.

“Some of my favorite recipes are those that are simple with tons of flavor. I have never had bottarga before, but it really does add a special something to the simple ingredients featured in this dish. If you are looking for a quick/easy recipe that is sure to impress, no need to look any further”. —Kiana Rollins

Bottarga Pasta Recipe

A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • Kosher salt

  • 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil

  • 4 cloves garlic, lightly crushed

  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or to taste

  • 1 tablespoon grated bottarga, more to taste

  • 12 ounces dry or fresh pasta, such as spaghetti or linguine 

  • 1/2 cup finely chopped fresh parsley

  • 1 lemon, zested and juiced

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Bottarga Pasta Recipe

  2. Bring a large pot of well salted water to a boil.

    Bottarga Pasta Recipe

  3. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring frequently, until the garlic is fragrant and golden, 5 to 6 minutes.

    Bottarga Pasta Recipe

  4. Remove from heat and stir in the bottarga. Set aside.

    Bottarga Pasta Recipe

  5. Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to package directions to al dente.

    Bottarga Pasta Recipe

  6. Drain the pasta, reserving one cup of the pasta cooking water.

    Bottarga Pasta Recipe

  7. Add the cooked pasta to the bottarga mixture to the skillet and toss to coat.

    Bottarga Pasta Recipe

  8. Return the skillet to medium heat. Add some of the reserved pasta water, a splash at a time, if the pasta looks dry.

    Bottarga Pasta Recipe

  9. Toss with half the parsley, the lemon zest, and juice.

    Bottarga Pasta Recipe

  10. Transfer to a serving platter or individual plates and garnish with the remaining parsley. Serve immediately.

    Bottarga Pasta Recipe

How to Store

This pasta dish is best served and eaten right after cooking. However, if you happen to have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container for up to five days. Reheat the pasta in the microwave until warmed through or on the stovetop in a skillet with about 1/4 cup of water or stock. 

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 500
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 21g 26%
Saturated Fat 3g 14%
Cholesterol 69mg 23%
Sodium 348mg 15%
Total Carbohydrate 71g 26%
Dietary Fiber 6g 21%
Total Sugars 8g
Protein 15g
Vitamin C 118mg 592%
Calcium 84mg 6%
Iron 4mg 23%
Potassium 479mg 10%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Comments

No comments yet. Why don’t you start the discussion?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *