Description
A quick and elegant pescatarian dinner featuring tender lobster tails tossed with spaghetti and topped with spicy, crunchy chili breadcrumbs. Perfect for weeknights or impressing guests with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large fresh lobster tails (about 1 lb / 450g total)
- 12 oz (340g) spaghetti
- 1 cup (100g) breadcrumbs (day-old crusty bread toasted and pulsed or panko)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon red chili flakes (or to taste)
- 1/4 cup (60ml) olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- 1/2 cup (120ml) white wine (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with salted water and bring to a boil. Add spaghetti and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
- While pasta cooks, slice lobster tails lengthwise to remove meat and chop into bite-sized pieces. Set aside.
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and red chili flakes, cooking until fragrant (about 1 minute). Add breadcrumbs and stir until golden and crunchy (3-4 minutes). Remove from heat, stir in chopped parsley, and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add more olive oil and heat to medium-high. Add lobster pieces and cook 2-3 minutes until just opaque. Pour in white wine (if using) and lemon juice, scraping pan bits. Simmer 1-2 minutes, then season with salt and pepper.
- Add drained spaghetti to skillet with lobster. Toss gently to combine, adding reserved pasta water a splash at a time if dry. Finish with lemon zest and extra olive oil drizzle.
- Serve immediately, generously topping each plate with chili breadcrumbs.
Notes
Do not overcook lobster to avoid toughness; cook until just opaque. Toasting breadcrumbs is essential for crunch and flavor. Reserve pasta water to help sauce cling to pasta. Chili breadcrumbs can be made ahead and stored airtight. Use fresh lobster if possible for best flavor. For gluten-free, substitute gluten-free pasta and breadcrumbs.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Seafood, Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4
- Calories: 430
- Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 40
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 35
Keywords: lobster spaghetti, chili breadcrumbs, pescatarian dinner, seafood pasta, easy lobster recipe, weeknight dinner, spicy breadcrumbs