Sardines Pasta! An easy, light, and delicious dish that you can make within 20 minutes. If you love canned sardines as I do, then this recipe is for you.

Pasta with Canned Sardines in Oil

Sardines Pasta Ingredients

  • Canned Sardines in oil – use your favorite brand. Remove the bones by splitting the meat into two and picking the bones with a fork; use boneless canned sardines if available.
  • Garlic and onions – this further elevates the flavor of the dish. I recommend using red onions or shallots for a sweeter flavor.
  • Lemon juice – balances the overall flavor of the dish and masks the fishy taste of the sardines.
  • Add-ins – I added cherry tomatoes and black olives. You can also add capers, spinach, or kale for some greens.

How to make it

Cook garlic and onions in warm oil until fragrant and translucent. Make sure the oil is not too hot.

sardines, olives, tomatoes

Next, throw in your choice of add-ins like sliced cherry tomatoes and black olives. I also added some scallions for color. Cook for less than a minute if you want an added texture or cook until softened. I did the former 🙂

sardines in oil recipe
Add canned sardines along with their oil and lemon juice. Sprinkle salt and red pepper flakes for heat. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes, gently stirring.

Sardines Pasta recipe

Finally, add the cooked pasta and a splash of pasta water, about 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup. The starchy water helps bind the pasta and the sauce together. Gently toss with a tong to combine.

Turn off the heat. Taste, and adjust salt and lemon juice as needed. Sprinkle some grated parmesan cheese and parsley.

Sardines pasta in oil
And that is it! Easy peasy. Serve with buttered toast or eat on its own! I find sardines pasta most enjoyable when freshly cooked and warm. How about you?

More pasta recipes for your weekly menu!

Sardines pasta in oil

Sardines Pasta Tomatoes and Olives

5 from 5 votes
Canned Sardines Pasta! An easy, light and delicious recipe that you can make within 20 minutes for two people.
Servings2 servings
preparation time5 minutes
Total cooking time20 minutes

Ingredients
 

  • 200 grams /7 oz / .5 lbs spaghetti (or any long pasta)
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 2 cloves garlic (chopped)
  • 1 small red onion (sliced)
  • 6 pcs cherry tomatoes (sliced)
  • 6 pcs pitted black olives (sliced)
  • 1 can /120g canned sardines in oil
  • ½ tsp red pepper flakes
  • ½ lemon (juiced)
  • ½ cup pasta water (add more if needed)
  • salt (to taste)
  • grated parmesan cheese
  • chopped parsley (to garnish)

Instructions

  • Cook pasta in boiling salted water just until tender (al dente). Reserve 1/2 cup cooking water, then drain pasta.
  • Heat oil in a skillet. Add onions and garlic. Cook until fragrant and translucent. Add choice of add-ins like sliced cherry tomatoes and black olives. I also added some scallions for color. Cook until slightly softened.
  • Add canned sardines along with its oil. Sprinkle salt and red pepper flakes. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes. minute.
  • Add the cooked pasta and a splash of pasta water, about 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup. Toss well with a tong to combine. Turn off the heat. Taste and adjust salt and lemon juice as needed. Sprinkle grated parmesan cheese and parsley. Serve immediately.

Recipe Notes & Tips:

  • Canned Sardines in oil: use your favorite brand. Remove the bones by splitting the meat into two and picking the bones with a fork; use boneless canned sardines if available.
  • Add-ins: I added cherry tomatoes and black olives. You can also add capers, spinach or kale for some greens.
Author : Mella
Course : Main Course
Cuisine : Western
Keyword : canned sardines recipe
Nutrition Facts
Sardines Pasta Tomatoes and Olives
Amount per Serving
Calories
658
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
23
g
35
%
Saturated Fat
 
12
g
75
%
Cholesterol
 
89
mg
30
%
Sodium
 
383
mg
17
%
Potassium
 
589
mg
17
%
Carbohydrates
 
84
g
28
%
Fiber
 
5
g
21
%
Sugar
 
6
g
7
%
Protein
 
30
g
60
%
Vitamin A
 
216
IU
4
%
Vitamin C
 
20
mg
24
%
Calcium
 
285
mg
29
%
Iron
 
3
mg
17
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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7 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Very nice indeed! I usually make my sardine pasta just with green olives stuffed with pimentos, or black Kalamata olives, but the addition of tomatoes and red onion, plus the garlic and chilli flakes, gives this dish a bit more ‘bite’ and makes it more substantial. Definitely going in my favourites list. Iona