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Creamy Garlic Scape Bucatini Recipe with Crispy Capers

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A quick and easy creamy garlic scape bucatini pasta with crispy capers, delivering a fresh, mellow garlic flavor and a delightful crunchy texture. Perfect for weeknights or dinner parties.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces (340 grams) bucatini pasta, preferably bronze-cut
  • 1 cup chopped garlic scapes (about 8–10 scapes), trimmed and roughly chopped
  • 3 tablespoons capers, drained and patted dry
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream (can substitute with full-fat coconut milk for dairy-free)
  • ½ cup (50 grams) grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra to serve
  • 1 small shallot, finely chopped
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil (about 4 quarts or 3.8 liters). Add 12 ounces (340 grams) of bucatini and cook according to package instructions (usually 9-11 minutes) until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 3 tablespoons drained capers and fry for 2-3 minutes until they puff up and become crispy. Use a slotted spoon to transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate. Leave the oil in the pan.
  3. In the same skillet with caper oil, add 1 tablespoon olive oil and the finely chopped shallot. Cook for 2 minutes until translucent, then add 1 cup chopped garlic scapes. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant but still bright green.
  4. Transfer the sautéed garlic scapes and shallot to a food processor or blender. Add 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream, ½ cup (50 grams) grated Parmesan, zest of 1 lemon, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Blend until smooth and creamy. If the sauce feels too thick, add a splash of pasta water to loosen it up.
  5. Drain the pasta, reserving ½ cup (120 ml) of pasta water. Return the pasta to the skillet over low heat. Pour in the creamy garlic scape sauce and stir to coat the bucatini evenly. Add reserved pasta water a little at a time to create a silky, smooth sauce that clings to the noodles.
  6. Stir in 1 tablespoon olive oil for extra gloss and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Sprinkle the crispy capers on top along with chopped fresh parsley if using.
  7. Plate the pasta with extra Parmesan on the side. Serve immediately and enjoy warm.

Notes

If the sauce gets too thick, add reserved pasta water gradually to loosen it. Keep heat low when mixing sauce to avoid curdling. Use good-quality olive oil for best flavor. Toast capers carefully to avoid burning. For vegan version, substitute heavy cream with coconut milk or cashew cream and Parmesan with nutritional yeast.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy pasta, garlic scapes, bucatini, crispy capers, easy dinner, quick pasta, vegetarian pasta

Find it online: https://twirltaste.com/creamy-garlic-scape-bucatini-recipe-with-crispy-capers-easy-and-delicious/