Description
A quick and flavorful pasta dish featuring sardines and garlic, ready in under 20 minutes.
Ingredients
- 8 oz spaghetti or linguine
- 1 can (3.75 oz) sardines in olive oil (boneless or bone-in)
- 3 cloves garlic (thinly sliced)
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (plus more to finish)
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Optional topping: 1–2 tbsp toasted breadcrumbs or grated parmesan
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Drop the spaghetti or linguine into boiling salted water. Cook until al dente, following package directions, which usually takes about 8-10 minutes.
- Sauté garlic & chili: While the pasta cooks, heat 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté for about 1-2 minutes until the garlic softens and becomes fragrant.
- Add sardines: Carefully add the sardines, including the oil from the can. Gently break them apart using a wooden spoon. Allow this to simmer for another minute.
- Combine pasta & sauce: Once your pasta is ready, reserve a cup of pasta water. Drain the pasta and add it directly to the skillet with the sardine mixture. Toss everything gently.
- Finish & serve: Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the lemon zest, lemon juice, and chopped parsley. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Drizzle a little extra virgin olive oil on top just before serving.
Notes
For a vegetarian twist, substitute sardines with roasted cherry tomatoes or sautéed spinach.
