Salted Caramel Pasta Pretzel (Printable)

Tender noodles coated in rich salted caramel, finished with a buttery pretzel crunch for sweet-salty delight.

# Components:

→ Pasta

01 - 7 oz tagliatelle or fettuccine (fresh or dried, preferably egg pasta)

→ Salted Caramel Sauce

02 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1/4 cup water
04 - 1/4 cup heavy cream
05 - 3 tbsp unsalted butter, cubed
06 - 1/2 tsp sea salt
07 - 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

→ Pretzel Crunch Topping

08 - 2 oz mini salted pretzels, coarsely crushed
09 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
10 - 2 tbsp light brown sugar

→ Garnish (Optional)

11 - Flaky sea salt
12 - Extra crushed pretzels
13 - Whipped cream

# Directions:

01 - Bring a generous pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Cook the tagliatelle or fettuccine according to package directions to achieve an al dente texture. Drain the pasta, reserving 2 tablespoons of the cooking water for later use.
02 - Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Introduce the crushed pretzels and brown sugar. Continue to stir and toast the mixture for approximately 3–4 minutes until it develops a golden hue and releases a fragrant aroma. Transfer to a plate to cool and crisp.
03 - In a medium saucepan, combine the granulated sugar and water. Cook over medium heat, gently swirling the pan (avoid stirring) until the mixture transforms into a deep amber color, typically taking 6–8 minutes. Remove the saucepan from the heat and carefully whisk in the heavy cream, butter, and sea salt. The mixture will foam vigorously. Continue whisking until smooth, then incorporate the vanilla extract.
04 - Add the drained pasta to the saucepan containing the salted caramel sauce. Toss gently to ensure the pasta is thoroughly coated. If a silkier sauce consistency is desired, add a small amount of the reserved pasta water.
05 - Portion the caramel-coated pasta evenly among serving bowls. Generously sprinkle the pretzel crunch over each serving. As an optional enhancement, garnish with flaky sea salt, additional crushed pretzels, or a dollop of whipped cream. Serve immediately to best enjoy the textural contrast.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Ready in just 35 minutes from start to finish
  • Uses simple ingredients you likely have on hand
  • Perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors
  • Creates a unique dessert that will impress guests
02 -
  • This dessert is best served immediately after preparation
  • The contrast between warm pasta and crunchy topping creates the perfect textural experience
  • Can be made ahead through step 3 and finished just before serving
  • The caramel sauce can be made a day ahead and gently reheated
03 -
  • The key to perfect caramel is patience and attention. Never walk away from caramel as it cooks, as it can go from perfect to burnt in seconds. If you're nervous about making caramel, keep a cup of ice water nearby to plunge the bottom of your pot into if the caramel starts to darken too quickly. For the pretzel topping, crushing the pretzels to varying sizes creates more interesting texture—some pieces should be almost powder while others remain in small chunks. Finally, don't skip the salt! It's what elevates this dish from merely sweet to a sophisticated dessert with complex flavor notes.

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