Description

This Lobster Spaghetti with Chili Breadcrumbs is a luxurious and flavorful dish that’s easier to make than it looks. It features tender lobster meat tossed with spaghetti in a slightly spicy, rich tomato sauce and finished with crispy, chili-seasoned breadcrumbs. Ideal for special dinners, holidays, or anytime you want to impress.

Ingredients

For the lobster:

2 live lobsters (about 1.5 lbs each)

4 quarts water

2 tablespoons sea salt

1 lemon, halved

2 bay leaves

1 teaspoon black peppercorns

For the pasta:

1 pound spaghetti

4 quarts water

1 tablespoon sea salt

For the chili breadcrumbs:

1 cup panko breadcrumbs

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 teaspoon chili powder

½ teaspoon smoked paprika

¼ teaspoon garlic powder

¼ teaspoon salt

For the sauce:

4 tablespoons olive oil

4 cloves garlic, minced

½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)

1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes

½ cup reserved lobster cooking liquid

¼ cup chopped fresh parsley

2 tablespoons butter

Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

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Instructions

Cook the lobster: In a large pot, bring water, salt, lemon halves, bay leaves, and peppercorns to a boil. Add lobsters headfirst and cook for 12–15 minutes until bright red. Remove and cool slightly. Extract the meat, chop, and set aside. Reserve ½ cup of the cooking liquid.
Prepare chili breadcrumbs: In a skillet, combine panko, olive oil, chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, and salt. Toast over medium heat for 5–7 minutes, stirring frequently until golden and crisp. Let cool.
Cook the pasta: Boil spaghetti in salted water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain.
Make the sauce: Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking until fragrant (about 1 minute). Deglaze with wine, simmer for 2–3 minutes. Stir in crushed tomatoes and lobster liquid. Simmer for 10–15 minutes. Add parsley and butter, then season with salt and pepper.
Combine: Toss the cooked spaghetti with the sauce, adding pasta water as needed to loosen. Gently fold in lobster meat and heat through for 1–2 minutes.
Serve: Divide the pasta among plates and top with a generous amount of chili breadcrumbs. Serve immediately.

Notes

You can use pre-cooked or frozen lobster meat for convenience.
Add fresh basil or oregano for extra herb flavor.
For a creamy version, stir in a splash of heavy cream.
Substitute crab, shrimp, or scallops if lobster isn’t available.
Swap spaghetti with linguine or tagliatelle if preferred.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Roasting
Cuisine: Italian