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This is the archived version of the Milk Street website and is no longer up to date.

Please visit 177milkstreet.com to see the current website with all of the latest recipes!

Spaghetti with Garlic and Walnut Breadcrumbs

4-6 Servings

45 minutes

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This pasta dish was one of the best things we ate during our trip to Southern Italy. It was prepared for us by Giancarlo Suriano, whose condiment company specializes in preserving regional ingredients, such as Calabrian chilies and Tropea onions. He added chopped walnuts, chilies and oregano to simple toasted breadcrumbs, amping up the flavor and texture of the pantry-friendly dish. To mimic the fruitiness of Calabrian chilies, we opted for Fresnos, which are easier to come by in the U.S. They’re spicier than Calabrian chilies, though, so we seed them to temper the heat. If you prefer a kick, leave the seeds in one or both of them. Red pepper flakes also work well, just add half to the breadcrumb mixture and half with the anchovies, as you would the fresh chilies.

4-6

Servings

Tip

Don’t hesitate to add more pasta cooking water if the spaghetti is dry. (During testing, we often wound up using all of the reserved liquid.) It’s fine if the pasta has some extra sauciness before you top it with the breadcrumbs; the noodles eventually will absorb the moisture.

45 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1

    ounce country-style bread, cut or torn into rough ½-inch pieces (about 1 cup)

  • ¾

    cup walnuts

Directions

Reviews
MARGARET F.
March 27, 2026
OMG! Delicious
I misread the directions and added all the chillies to the food processor and so opened a jar of Calabrian chillies for the pan, so more heat than should but still delicious. Also omitted the anchovies to keep vegetarian. Not missed by anyone. Will definitely make again and again!

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