Breadcrumbs Pasta Salad

Breadcrumbs in pasta

Did you know that in Italian cuisine, there is a recipe where pasta is made with breadcrumbs? It is said that this thrifty pasta dish is from an era when clever home cooks had to feed large families and meat and cheese were too expensive and often hard to come by. The bread was always easily available, cheap, and extensively used. They never wasted even stale bread.

In fact, stale bread shows up in many classic Italian soups, pasta, appetizers like Bruschetta, and even desserts. We Indians, use leftover bread to make Bread Upma! This pasta recipe with breadcrumbs can be made as healthy or indulgent as possible. Adding the kind of veggies, pasta, and amount of cheese depends upon you. I feel, this dish just takes the pasta + bread combo to a whole new level! Crisp, savory breadcrumbs are the star of this dish. The simple ingredients used here are deceptively flavorful.

Why make this

• Adds a nice texture to the pasta
• It's a vegan pasta salad dish
• Is budget-friendly
• 100% customizable
• No sauce and less cheese required
• Quick and easy to make
• Ideal recipe to use leftover bread and veggies

Pasta - I have used heart-shaped organic pasta. But you can use any variety.

Breadcrumbs - I have used store-bought Italian breadcrumbs here. You can also make breadcrumbs at home using stale bread.

Veggies - Mushrooms and edamame. But you can add or skip any veggies of your choice. 

Garlic - Since the predominant flavor is garlic, we need lots of it preferably fresh.

Fresh herbs - Fresh parsley works with the flavors well. Can use cilantro instead if required.

Dried Italian seasonings and red pepper flakes are the other basic ingredients needed.

Cheese - Vegan or regular Parmesan cheese. Adding cheese is optional.

To make seasoned breadcrumbs

1. Heat olive oil in a pan and fry the minced garlic.

2. Add the bread crumbs to it once the garlic is slightly burnt. Toss it for 5 minutes. The crumbs will turn crispy.

3. Take it off the flame and add parsley, grated vegan Parmesan cheese, and pepper.

4. Mix and keep it aside for now. You can also make this in advance and store it in the fridge. 

To make the Breadcrumbs Pasta Salad

5. Cook pasta as per instructions on the packet. Strain the water and keep it aside for now.

6. In the same pan, add olive oil, mushrooms, and edamame. Saute till all the water from the mushrooms is evaporated. This could take a couple of minutes.

7. Add salt, red pepper flakes, and Italian seasonings. Saute for another 2 minutes.

8. Next add the cooked pasta and mix lightly. Lastly, add the bread crumbs mixture, toss them all together, and cook for another minute. 

Garnish with some dairy-free Parmesan cheese, lemon/orange zest, and oregano. Serve this vegan pasta dish warm with some hot soup and/or breadsticks or maybe some wine! Since this is a vegan no sauce pasta recipe with breadcrumbs, it can be served more like a salad. The garlic-flavored Italian breadcrumbs give it a crunchy-crispy texture and an appetizing flavor. 

Breadcrumbs Pasta comes together very quickly on weeknights, date nights, or even brunches. It's also perfect for days you are feeling too lazy or bored to cook! 

Store-bought or homemade plain, seasoned, or Italian breadcrumbs can be used here. Use any pasta variety based on your preference. If you can't find edamame, you can add green peas instead. Feel free to add or skip veggies based on what you have available. You can totally make this vegan pasta salad without adding any veggies! If you are not vegan, use regular Parmesan cheese.

FAQs 📖