Salsas & Condiments

Caesared Spaghetti (Two Ways)

The main ingredients of Caesar salad—anchovies, garlic, olive oil, black pepper, toasted croutons, and Parmesan cheese—are naturals when reimagined as two different pasta sauces.

Caesared Spaghetti (Two Ways)
Servings 4
Difficulty Medium

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. 1

    In a medium skillet, combine oil and breadcrumbs and cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until toasted and golden brown, 5 to 7 minutes. Add parsley and lemon zest, season lightly with salt, stir to combine, and continue to cook until parsley begins to sizzle and mixture is very fragrant of citrus, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Transfer breadcrumb mixture to small bowl and set aside until ready to serve.

  2. 2

    In a large heatproof mixing bowl, whisk together whole eggs and yolks, Parmigiano-Reggiano, Dijon, Worcestershire, and black pepper.

  3. 3

    Bring a pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook, stirring, until al dente.

  4. 4

    Meanwhile, in a skillet or saucier, combine olive oil with anchovies and garlic and cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until anchovies have melted and garlic is lightly golden, about 3 minutes. Measure 1/2 cup (120ml) pasta cooking water (you can take it right from the pot as the pasta is cooking) and add to the anchovy-oil mixture.

  5. 5

    While whisking constantly, slowly drizzle the anchovy-oil mixture into the egg mixture; take care, because if you add the hot liquid too fast, you may scramble the eggs.

  6. 6

    Using tongs and/or a strainer, transfer pasta to egg mixture, stirring it in as you add it to ensure you don&

  7. 7

    Set mixing bowl over pot of boiling pasta water (make sure bottom of bowl does not touch the water; you can remove water from the pot to ensure they don&

  8. 8

    In a large Dutch oven or wide-bottomed pot, combine 3 quarts (3L) of water and 2 teaspoons (8g) salt, and bring to a boil over high heat. Add pasta and cook, stirring frequently for first 30 seconds to prevent noodles from sticking.

  9. 9

    Meanwhile, in a large skillet or saucier, combine olive oil with anchovies, garlic, and a generous amount of black pepper and cook, stirring and breaking up anchovies occasionally with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon, until anchovies have dissolved, about 4 minutes.

Chef's Tips

  • Once pasta has cooked for 5 minutes, transfer 1 cup (240ml) of pasta cooking water to skillet along with the Dijon and Worcestershire; continue cooking pasta. Return skillet to high heat and bring to a boil, swirling pan and stirring constantly until cooking water emulsifies with oil-anchovy mixture, 1 to 2 minutes. Reduce heat to low while pasta finishes cooking to prevent liquid from over-reducing.
  • Meanwhile, continue cooking pasta until it is softened on the exterior, but well shy of al dente and still uncooked in the center (about 3 minutes less than the package directions). Using tongs, transfer pasta to skillet, and reserve remaining pasta cooking water. Alternatively, drain pasta using a colander or fine-mesh strainer, making sure to reserve at least 2 cups (475ml) pasta cooking water.
  • Increase heat to high and cook, stirring and tossing rapidly, until pasta is al dente and sauce is slightly thickened and coats noodles with a creamy glaze, 2 to 3 minutes, adding more pasta cooking water in 1/4 cup (60ml) increments as needed. At this point, the sauce should be emulsified and loose enough to pool around the edges of the pan.
  • Remove from heat, add cheese and toss and stir rapidly to incorporate and emulsify into the sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Divide between individual serving bowls, sprinkle with gremolata breadcrumbs, and serve.
  • The gremolata breadcrumbs can be made ahead and stored in an air-tight container at room temperature. for up to 7 days.