I Tried Nicole Kidman’s Quick and Clever Pasta Recipe—I Already Can’t Wait To Make It Again
Her technique takes it to the next-level.

Pasta makes a weekly appearance in my dinner rotation. Whether it’s creamy cacio e pepe, buttered noodles, or a classic Bolognese, I can’t get enough. Most recipes come together in about 30 minutes, which makes them ideal for busy nights. But more than that, pasta just hits that comfort-food spot. There’s nothing I love more than digging into a big bowl of spaghetti, rigatoni, or gnocchi after a long day.
That said, even a pasta lover like me gets bored sometimes. And as a food writer, I’m always on the lookout for ways to keep things interesting.
Recently, I came across Nicole Kidman’s crispy orecchiette recipe from an old copy of Paul Newman’s "Newman’s Own Cookbook"—chock-full of celebrity recipes and anecdotes—and realized she might be on to something. Her pasta caramelization technique involves pan-frying the carb-rich morsels until they’re crisp, then tossing them in a buttery balsamic sauce with plenty of cheese. I knew right away this trick could snap me out of any pasta rut.
So, the next time I made dinner, I gave it a try. The result? A dreamy mix of crunchy and saucy pasta that I couldn’t stop obsessing over. The whole thing came together in about 30 minutes. Fair warning: Kidman’s version serves a crowd—probably eight—so if you’re cooking solo, scale it down unless you’re ready for a mountain of leftovers.
Flavor-wise, it blew me away. Think caramelized orecchiette with a hint of char, coated in a tangy, rich sauce, and topped with nutty Parmesan. It delivers comforting bites with minimal effort.
And while the dish itself impresses, the crispy pasta hack truly takes center stage. It’s a quick and clever upgrade that doesn’t require any fancy ingredients, and it’s worth trying to make dinner just a smidge more exciting.
Read on to learn how to make it yourself.

How To Make Nicole Kidman’s Crispy Orecchiette With Broccoli, Pine Nuts, and Garlic
Cook 16 ounces of orecchiette in a large pot of boiling water until just shy of al dente. Drain and rinse the pasta under cold water to prevent overcooking.
Have two large sauté pans ready. Heat 1/4 cup of vegetable oil in each. Once hot, add the cooked orecchiette in an even layer. Let it fry for about 3 minutes, then flip and cook another 2 minutes, or until the pasta is lightly browned on all sides. Repeat until all the pasta is fried.
Using one of the same pans, add 5 cups of broccoli florets and 2 tablespoons of slivered garlic to the leftover oil. Sauté for about 5 minutes. Then pour in 1/3 cup of white wine, 1/4 cup of lemon juice, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Adjust the seasoning to taste. Stir and cook for another 3 minutes.
Transfer the broccoli mixture to a larger skillet. Add the fried orecchiette, 3 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar, 6 tablespoons of softened salted butter, and 1/2 cup of toasted pine nuts. Sauté over medium-high heat until the butter is fully melted and everything is coated.
Finish by topping with 1 cup of freshly grated Parmesan. Serve right away.

How To Upgrade Nicole Kidman’s Crispy Orecchiette Pasta Recipe
When you dig into Kidman’s dish, you’ll quickly realize it shines on its own just as it is. But that doesn’t mean you can’t kick it up a notch.
One easy way to upgrade it is by using a different pasta shape, such as farfalle, conchiglie rigate, ditalini, radiatori, or any other bite-sized noodle you have in your cabinet. I’d recommend steering clear of longer ones like spaghetti, since smaller ones are easier to fry in batches.
Once you’ve got your crispy pasta, the sauce is totally up to you. If the zesty, buttery balsamic coating isn’t your thing, go for something like a spicy arrabbiata, creamy pesto, or a rich vodka sauce.
Kidman’s pasta caramelization technique adds crispy texture and slightly charred flavor that pairs well with almost any sauce. It’s a smart way to elevate your dinner without having to put in a lot of effort.