Quick Garlic and Lemon Sardine Spaghetti
Make this flavorful, budget-friendly sardine pasta in under 20 minutes using pantry staples. The lemon and garlic balance the rich flavor of the sardines perfectly.
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 12 min
- Total Time: 17 min
- Yield: 3 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz spaghetti or linguine
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 2 (3.75 ounce) cans sardines in olive oil, drained (reserve 1 tablespoon oil)
- 1/4 cup dry white wine or pasta water
- Zest of 1 large lemon
- Juice of 1 large lemon
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining.
- While the pasta cooks, heat the 1/4 cup olive oil and the reserved 1 tablespoon of sardine oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the sliced garlic and red pepper flakes to the skillet. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes until the garlic is fragrant and lightly golden. Do not let it burn.
- Add the drained sardines to the skillet. Use a fork to gently break them up into smaller pieces. Cook for 1 minute.
- Pour in the white wine or a splash of pasta water. Let it bubble and reduce slightly for about 30 seconds.
- Add the lemon zest and lemon juice to the skillet. Stir to combine the sauce base.
- Add the drained pasta directly to the skillet. Toss well to coat everything in the sauce.
- Add reserved pasta water, a few tablespoons at a time, until the sauce coats the pasta nicely.
- Stir in the fresh parsley. Season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, use sardines packed in olive oil rather than water.
- If you prefer a less intense fish flavor, rinse the sardines lightly before adding them to the pan.
- This dish pairs well with a simple green salad for a complete meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Unsaturated Fat: 18
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 65
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 25
- Cholesterol: 60