This easy and flavorful Nigella Sardine Pasta is a quick meal packed with Mediterranean goodness. With just a few simple ingredients like sardines, tomatoes, and lemon, it’s a perfect weeknight dinner. The combination of zesty lemon, fresh parsley, and a touch of heat makes it a tasty and satisfying dish!
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🧡Why You’ll Love This Sardine Pasta Recipe:
- Quick and Easy: Ready in about 20 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights.
- Healthy: Rich in omega-3 fatty acids from sardines and packed with fresh ingredients.
- Flavorful: A delicious combination of savory sardines, zesty lemon, and fresh parsley.
- Affordable: Uses inexpensive ingredients, making it budget-friendly.
- Simple Ingredients: Made with pantry staples and fresh produce.
- Elegant: Despite its simplicity, it’s a dish that feels sophisticated.
❓What Is Nigella Sardine Pasta Recipe?
Nigella’s Sardine Pasta combines spaghetti, sardines in olive oil, garlic, red pepper flakes, lemon zest, lemon juice, parsley, and Parmesan cheese it’s a quick, flavorful dish takes about 20 minutes to prepare.
🐟 Nigella Sardine Pasta Ingredients
- 12 oz (340g) spaghetti or your choice of pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (4 oz/115g) sardines in olive oil, drained and roughly chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup white wine (optional)
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Grated Parmesan cheese for serving (optional)
🍝 How To Make Nigella Sardine Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta.
- While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using) and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant
- Add the chopped sardines and cherry tomatoes to the skillet. Cook for 3-4 minutes, allowing the tomatoes to soften and the sardines to break down slightly.
- If using, pour in the white wine and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes until reduced by half.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet along with the reserved pasta water. Toss to combine, ensuring the pasta is well-coated with the sauce.
- Add the lemon zest, lemon juice, and chopped parsley. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Toss everything together and cook for another 1-2 minutes until heated through.
- Divide the pasta among serving plates. Top with grated Parmesan cheese, if desired. Serve immediately.
💭Recipe Tips
- Pasta Choice: While spaghetti is traditional, you can use other pasta shapes like linguine, fusilli, or penne.
- Fresh Sardines: If you have fresh sardines, you can use them instead of canned. Clean and fillet them, then cook as directed.
- Vegetable Add-ins: Add vegetables like spinach, kale, or zucchini for extra nutrients and variety.
- Lemon Zest: Use a microplane to zest the lemon finely, avoiding the bitter white pith.
- Anchovy Addition: For an extra punch of umami, add a couple of chopped anchovy fillets to the sauce when sautéing the onions and garlic.
- Spice Level: Adjust the red pepper flakes to your preferred spice level, or omit if you prefer a milder dish.
🧆 What To Serve With Sardine Pasta?
Serve Sardine Pasta with Potato Salad, Courgette Fritters, or Sausage Rolls a side of Ratatouille or Chicken And Ham Pie complements the flavors well for drinks, a crisp white wine or sparkling water pairs perfectly.
🎚 How To Store Leftovers Sardine Pasta?
- In The Fridge: Place leftovers sardine pasta in an airtight container store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- In The Freezer: Transfer leftovers sardine pasta to a freezer-safe container or bag freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating gently on the stovetop or microwave.
🥵 How To Reheat Leftovers Sardine Pasta?
- In The Stovetop: Place leftovers sardine pasta in a skillet or saucepan heat over medium-low heat stirring occasionally, until warmed through about 5-7 minutes.
- In The Microwave: Transfer leftovers sardine pasta to a microwave-safe dish. Microwave on medium power for 4-6 minutes stirring halfway through until evenly heated.
FAQ’S:
How do I keep the sardines from breaking apart?
To keep the sardines from breaking apart too much, handle them gently when adding them to the skillet. Cook just until heated through and avoid stirring too vigorously this helps maintain their texture and appearance in the dish.
What kind of pasta works best for Sardine Pasta?
Spaghetti is the most commonly used pasta for Sardine Pasta, but you can use other types like linguine, fettuccine, or penne. Choose a pasta shape that can hold the sauce well.
Are canned sardines good for Sardine Pasta?
Yes, canned sardines are perfect for Sardine Pasta they are convenient, affordable, and packed with flavor. Choose high-quality sardines in olive oil for the best taste.
How do I prevent the pasta from sticking together?
To prevent pasta from sticking together, stir it occasionally while cooking and add a splash of olive oil to the cooking water. After draining, you can toss the pasta with a bit of olive oil to keep it separate.
What kind of cheese goes well with Sardine Pasta?
Grated Parmesan cheese is a popular choice for Sardine Pasta. You can also try Pecorino Romano or even a light sprinkling of feta for a different flavor.
Can I use sardines packed in water?
Sardines packed in water can be used, but they may be less flavorful than those packed in olive oil. If using sardines in water, consider adding a bit more olive oil to the dish to enhance the flavor and richness.
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Nigella Sardine Pasta Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 412
- Total Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
- Sodium: 500mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 50g
- Dietary Fiber: 4g
- Sugars: 2g
- Protein: 20g
- Calcium: 8%
- Iron: 15%
Nigella Sardine Pasta
Description
Nigella’s Sardine Pasta is made of spaghetti, sardines in olive oil, garlic, red pepper flakes, lemon zest, lemon juice, parsley, and Parmesan cheese it serves 6 and takes about 20 minutes to prepare and cook.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta.
- While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using) and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant
- Add the chopped sardines and cherry tomatoes to the skillet. Cook for 3-4 minutes, allowing the tomatoes to soften and the sardines to break down slightly.
- If using, pour in the white wine and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes until reduced by half.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet along with the reserved pasta water. Toss to combine, ensuring the pasta is well-coated with the sauce.
- Add the lemon zest, lemon juice, and chopped parsley. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Toss everything together and cook for another 1-2 minutes until heated through.
- Divide the pasta among serving plates. Top with grated Parmesan cheese, if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Pasta Choice: While spaghetti is traditional, you can use other pasta shapes like linguine, fusilli, or penne.
- Fresh Sardines: If you have fresh sardines, you can use them instead of canned. Clean and fillet them, then cook as directed.
- Vegetable Add-ins: Add vegetables like spinach, kale, or zucchini for extra nutrients and variety.
- Lemon Zest: Use a microplane to zest the lemon finely, avoiding the bitter white pith.
- Anchovy Addition: For an extra punch of umami, add a couple of chopped anchovy fillets to the sauce when sautéing the onions and garlic.
- Spice Level: Adjust the red pepper flakes to your preferred spice level, or omit if you prefer a milder dish.