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    Home » Recipes » Main Dish » Garlic Butter Pasta with Crispy Prosciutto

    Garlic Butter Pasta with Crispy Prosciutto

    Published: Sep 21, 2021 by Erin · This post may contain affiliate links · 10 Comments

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    Pinterest Pin: Garlic butter pasta on a plate with pasta twisted around a fork.

    Sweet, salty, crispy prosciutto comes together with Garlic Butter Pasta for a stunning 20-minute pasta dish that is packed with flavor and texture!

    This post is sponsored by Citterio USA. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

    Two plates of pasta and a bowl of crispy prosciutto.
    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Buying Prosciutto
    • Step-By-Step Instructions
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Recommended Recipes
    • Recipe
    • Reviews

    The best dishes don't have to be complicated! When you use quality, fresh ingredients you can have an impressive dish that is a really simple recipe to make! And this uses just 8 ingredients for a restaurant-quality meal that your whole family will love!

    The garlic butter sauce is just right to coat the pasta without being dry, and the crispy prosciutto adds a salty crunch that makes this dish so addicting! This is my new favorite easy pasta recipe!

    For more easy meals, try this One Pot Pasta or Thai Cashew Chicken. Both are great for busy weeknights!

    Ingredients

    Ovrhead image of ingredients that are labeled.
    • Pasta - I used Bucatini pasta for this recipe, which is a thick spaghetti-type noodle that is hollow in the center. Spaghetti, linguini, or angel hair can also be used. I have even made this with Gemelli and it was delicious!
    • Prosciutto - Prosciutto is similar to bacon but it is salt-cured for a year or more. And I prefer it over bacon in recipes because it does not have nitrates. It is both sweet and salty, and provides an addictive crunch to this recipe!
    • Starchy Water - The sauce is made with pasta water to create thickness and help bind the pasta and sauce together.
    • Garlic - To keep this easy, I use minced garlic in this recipe. If you have a good garlic press you know how simple mincing garlic can be! If you do not own a garlic press, just peel and slice the garlic. The flavor is more intense with minced garlic, so I recommend adding 2 additional cloves if slicing.
    • Parmesan Cheese - Freshly grated Parmesan will produce the creamiest texture. You can grate your Parmesan in advance if you wish, but I recommend against using pre-shredded Parmesan as it has additives that dry the Parmesan to keep it from sticking
    • Fresh Oregano - If you do not have fresh oregano then replace it with 1 teaspoon of dried oregano or Italian seasoning. Or you can use fresh basil or other fresh herbs, if you prefer.

    Buying Prosciutto

    When you are working with just a handful of ingredients, each ingredient contributes a lot to the overall dish. By using high-quality ingredients you can end up with a masterpiece dish, that is simple to make.

    I love Citterio prosciutto because it is top-notch quality! They say that it is made with just 4 ingredients: Pork, salt, air, and time. There are no extra filler ingredients or preservatives.

    They dry-cure their prosciutto through an aging process that takes over a year! There is a lot of love that goes into each package. And I love it for this recipe because Citterio's Prosciutto Fresco is sliced perfectly, so it doesn't fall apart like some prosciutto I have tried, yet it is still thin enough to crisp up nicely.

    In addition to delicious prosciutto, they have a variety of quality charcuterie items, like salami and mortadella, as well as convenient snack packs of meat and cheese, for great food on the go!

    Citterio is an Italian company that is expanding throughout the US. You can find where they are sold near you by using their online locator. But here's a hot tip: Check out Trader Joe's! I found a whole variety of Citterio products at my local TJ store.

    Package of Citterio prosciutto, with plate of pasta and bowl of crispy prosciutto.

    Step-By-Step Instructions

    Step One: Crisp the Prosciutto

    Lay the prosciutto on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 8-12 minutes.

    Leave some space between each strip of prosciutto. This will help them crisp up nicely.

    Cooked prosciutto on a sheet pan.

    Step Two: Cook the Pasta

    This pasta is cooked with less water than you may typically use, as you want the pasta starch to be concentrated. So you will add a pound of pasta to an 8 cup pot of water.

    Because there is less water you need to stir it often so that the pasta does not stick together. Cook according to the package instructions for al dente pasta.

    Before draining the pasta, reserve 1 ½ cups to use in the sauce. Resist the urge to reserve this water early! The longer the pasta cooks the more starch it releases, and you want all of the starch that you can get!

    Pasta in water wtih steam rising up.

    Step Three: Prepare Garlic Butter

    Once your pasta is cooked, the rest of this dish comes together quickly! I find it helpful to have all of the ingredients prepped and next to the stove before moving on to the garlic butter.

    Add garlic and crushed red pepper to melted butter. Once you smell the garlic, it's time to add the oregano.

    Stir the garlic butter frequently, and watch it carefully. Garlic will become bitter if it burns, so you do not want to overcook it.

    garlic butter and oregano cooking in melted butter.

    Step Three: Stir in Pasta Water

    Add a cup of the pasta water, setting the other ½ cup aside.

    The sauce will bubble. Stir and cook the sauce for 1 minute.

    Adding a cup of starch water to the garlic butter.

    Step Four: Toss in the Pasta

    It is easiest to get the pasta well-coated with the sauce when you add it in two parts.

    Add half of the hot pasta and use tongs to toss it in the sauce, then add the remaining pasta.

    Tossing pasta with tongs to mix into sauce.

    Step Five: Finish with Parmesan & Prosciutto

    Add the Parmesan cheese and work quickly to toss it into the sauce. Your goal is to have it distributed throughout the sauce before it fully melts so that you don't end up with big clumps.

    You can toss the prosciutto into the pasta in the pan, or top each individual serving once it is plated. I like it mixed into the pasta so that you get a little bit of prosciutto with every bite!

    Garnish with additional Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley, if you'd like.

    Parmesan and crispy prosciutto added to pasta.

    Serving Suggestions

    Because this has prosciutto, it works perfectly as a main dish! Serve alongside a salad like the Spinach Caprese Salad or Kale Crunch Salad. Or enjoy it with a green vegetable, like broccoli or steamed asparagus.

    Garlic butter noodles also make a delicious side dish, when served with grilled chicken or steak. It would also pair beautifully with crab cakes.

    Add some vegetables to turn this into an easy one-pot meal! You could saute some mushrooms with the garlic, or add peas or spinach with the pasta and cook for several minutes before finishing with the Parmesan cheese and prosciutto. You've got a complete meal!

    Recipe FAQs

    How do I store Garlic Butter Pasta?

    Refrigerate your Garlic Butter Pasta in airtight containers for 3-5 days. The prosciutto can be stored separately in a zip-top bag if you did not mix it into the pasta and is good for 3-4 days.

    Does Garlic Butter Pasta with Crispy Prosciutto reheat well?

    While this pasta is at its very best when served fresh, it does reheat well! Add just a little bit of water and reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.

    Can I make a lighter version of Garlic Butter Pasta?

    For a lightened-up version of Garlic Butter Pasta, reduce the butter by up to 4 tablespoons. You can also replace the butter with olive oil for a more heart-healthy dish. And zucchini noodles or spaghetti sauce work well as a healthier pasta substitute.

    Can I make a smaller portion?

    Yes, it is easy to make a smaller portion of Garlic Butter Pasta! Just reduce the quantity of each ingredient by half.

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    Plate of pasta in front of a bowl of crispy prosciutto and a glass of wine.

    Let me know how you like this recipe by leaving a review! And follow along on Instagram @stateofdinner for behind-the-scenes and to be among the first to know when new recipes post!

    Recipe

    Plate of garlic butter pasta with crispy prosciutto, with pasta twirled around fork.

    Garlic Butter Pasta with Crispy Prosciutto

    Recipe by: Erin
    Garlic Butter Pasta with Crispy Prosciutto is an easy recipe that takes just 20 minutes to make! Your family will love this simple weeknight dinner!
    4.98 from 39 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 15 mins
    Total Time 20 mins
    Course Main Course, Side Dish
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 8
    Calories 431 kcal

    Equipment

    • Garlic Press
    • Dutch Oven
    • Baking Sheet

    Ingredients
      

    • 4 ounces prosciutto
    • 1 pound Bucatini or spaghetti noodles
    • 2 quarts water 8 cups
    • 1 teaspoon kosher salt plus ¼ teaspoon
    • ½ cup butter
    • 6 garlic cloves minced
    • ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes or to taste
    • 1 tablespoon fresh oregano chopped, or 1 teaspoon dried
    • 1 cup Parmesan cheese finely grated
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    Crispy Prosciutto

    • Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
    • Lay the prosciutto strips onto the baking sheet with some space between each one. Bake for 8-12 minutes, or until the edges are brown.
    • Remove from the oven and cool completely, then break into pieces.

    Garlic Butter Pasta

    • While the prosciutto is cooking, Bring 8 cups of water to a boil in a large pan. Add the pasta and salt and stir well. Cook according to package directions for al dente pasta, stirring occasionally.
    • When pasta has reached al dente, tip the pan and scoop out 1 ½ cups of the pasta water, then drain the rest of the water from the pasta. Do not rinse the pasta.
    • Melt butter in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the garlic and crushed red pepper flakes and cook for 60 seconds.
    • Add the oregano and cook until the garlic browns. Be careful not to burn the garlic, or it will become bitter.
    • Add 1 cup of pasta water to the garlic butter. It will bubble. Stir and let it cook together for about a minute.
    • Add half of the pasta to the pan and toss to coat with the sauce. Then add the remaining pasta and toss together. If it seems dry, add the remaining reserved pasta water.
    • Sprinkle the Parmesan over the pasta and toss to distribute the Parmesan throughout the pasta.
    • Just before serving, toss the crispy prosciutto into the pasta. Alternatively, you can add the prosciutto on top of the pasta once it has been plated. Garnish with chopped parsley and additional Parmesan cheese, if desired.

    Notes

    Water: The water measurement is important because it is the right amount to create starchy pasta water. Reserve the water immediately before draining the pasta, for the maximum amount of starch.
    Storage: Store in an airtight container for 3-5 days.
    Reheating: Add a little bit of water and reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.
    Substitutions: Use your favorite pasta noodle or spaghetti squash. 1 teaspoon of dried oregano or Italian seasoning could be used in place of the fresh oregano. Fresh basil could also be substituted.
     
     
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 431kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 51mg | Sodium: 694mg | Potassium: 195mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 497IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 178mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
    Share a photo of your creation with your friends!Mention @stateofdinner or tag #stateofdinner!

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Sasa

      January 03, 2023 at 3:39 am

      5 stars
      So good! It tasted so delicious! Buonissimo!

      Reply
      • Erin

        January 03, 2023 at 9:09 am

        Grazie, Sasa!

        Reply
    2. Elizabeth

      October 26, 2022 at 1:00 pm

      4 stars
      This had lots of flavor and was very easy to make. That said, I put the prosciutto in the oven for the time specified and it burned the prosciutto and set off the smoke alarm. So I would recommend just cooking the prosciutto in the butter sauce.

      Reply
      • Erin

        October 28, 2022 at 8:22 am

        I'm so glad that you enjoyed the ease and flavor of this pasta, but am sorry to hear your prosciutto burned! You may want to place an oven thermometer inside your oven to confirm it is cooking at the proper temperature, as the prosciutto will definitely cook faster if your oven is hotter than 400°F.

        Reply
    3. Naomi

      September 25, 2021 at 8:09 pm

      5 stars
      Just sat down to eat and OH-MY! It is so easy and so delicious! Will be in my dinner rotation.

      Reply
      • Erin

        September 27, 2021 at 9:12 am

        Thank you, Naomi! I am so glad that you enjoyed it!

        Reply
    4. Audrey

      September 24, 2021 at 10:03 am

      5 stars
      Such a simple meal but so tasty!

      Reply
    5. Serena

      September 24, 2021 at 10:02 am

      5 stars
      Hard to go wrong with crispy prosciutto!

      Reply
    6. Beth H.

      September 21, 2021 at 10:44 am

      I love simple, tasty recipes. This looks like a winner! Can’t wait to try it.

      Reply
      • Erin

        September 21, 2021 at 10:47 am

        It's so good! Let me know how you like it!

        Reply

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    Photo of Erin Gierhart

    Welcome! I'm Erin: Wife, mom, lover of great food, and former food safety administrator. I am passionate about cooking mostly from scratch recipes that bring comfort, without spending all day in the kitchen. Most recipes on this site can be made in under 30 minutes! This approach to cooking allows me to provide delicious meals for my family while freeing up time to spend with those I love.

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