Description
St. Joseph's Spaghetti is a traditional Italian-American dish featuring al dente spaghetti layered with a flavorful topping made of toasted breadcrumbs, garlic, walnuts, golden raisins, capers, and fresh parsley, all enhanced with olive oil and a touch of red pepper flakes for a mildly spicy finish. This unique recipe combines sweet, savory, and tangy flavors in a comforting, easy-to-make pasta dish perfect for family meals.
Ingredients
For the Topping
- ¾ cup golden raisins
- 8 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups unseasoned breadcrumbs
- ½ cup walnuts, chopped
- 4 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- ⅓ cup capers, drained
- Salt to taste
- Red pepper flakes, for serving
For the Pasta
- 1 lb. spaghetti
Instructions
- Soak the Raisins: Place the golden raisins in a small bowl and cover them with water. Allow them to soak and plump while you prepare the rest of the dish.
- Cook the Spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to the package directions until al dente. Drain the spaghetti, reserving about ½ cup of the pasta water for later use.
- Prepare the Topping Base: In a large cast iron skillet or heavy-bottomed pan, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Toast the Breadcrumbs: Reduce the heat to low. Add another tablespoon of olive oil plus the breadcrumbs to the skillet. Toast the breadcrumbs, stirring frequently, for 2-3 minutes until they turn a golden brown color.
- Add the Walnuts: Mix in the chopped walnuts and continue toasting for another 2 minutes to bring out their flavor and crunch.
- Combine Raisins, Parsley, and Capers: Drain the soaked golden raisins and add them to the skillet along with the fresh parsley and drained capers. Stir gently and cook for an additional 2 minutes. Remove the skillet from heat and set the mixture aside.
- Incorporate Pasta Water: Pour the reserved pasta water into the topping mixture in the skillet to loosen and combine the flavors.
- Assemble the Dish: In a large serving pan or dish, create alternating layers of the cooked spaghetti and the prepared topping. Ensure the layers are evenly distributed for a harmonious flavor blend.
- Finish with Olive Oil and Seasoning: Drizzle the remaining 4 tablespoons of olive oil over the top of the assembled spaghetti and topping layers. Sprinkle red pepper flakes and additional chopped parsley as desired to add heat and freshness.
- Serve: Serve the St. Joseph’s Spaghetti hot, enjoying the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors in every bite.
Notes
- The golden raisins can be soaked in warm water for about 10 minutes for faster plumping.
- Use unseasoned breadcrumbs to control the saltiness of the dish better.
- If you prefer a nut-free version, omit the walnuts but keep the texture by adding extra breadcrumbs.
- Adjust red pepper flakes according to your spice preference.
- Fresh parsley can be substituted with dried parsley if necessary, but use about 1 tablespoon dried.
- Reserving pasta water is essential to help the topping meld with the spaghetti and prevent dryness.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
