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Nigella Sardine Pasta Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 422 reviews

Nigella Sardine Pasta is a quick and flavorful Italian-inspired dish featuring al dente spaghetti tossed in a savory sauce made with sardines, cherry tomatoes, garlic, and lemon. Enhanced with fresh parsley and a hint of white wine, this pasta combines rich umami flavors and a fresh, zesty finish, perfect for a satisfying weeknight meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 12 oz (340g) spaghetti or your choice of pasta

Sauce

  • 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)

Instructions

  1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
  2. Sauté Onion: While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and cook for about 5 minutes until softened and translucent.
  3. Add Garlic and Red Pepper Flakes: Stir in the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, if using, and cook for 1-2 minutes more until the garlic becomes fragrant but not browned.
  4. Add Sardines and Tomatoes: Add the roughly chopped sardines and halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet. Cook for 3-4 minutes, allowing the tomatoes to soften and the sardines to break down, infusing the sauce with flavor.
  5. Simmer with White Wine: Pour in the white wine, if using, and let it simmer gently for 2-3 minutes until reduced by half, which deepens the sauce flavor.
  6. Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the drained pasta back into the skillet along with the reserved pasta water. Toss everything together thoroughly so that the pasta is evenly coated with the sardine and tomato sauce.
  7. Finish with Lemon and Parsley: Add the lemon zest, lemon juice, and chopped parsley to the skillet. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then toss and cook for another 1-2 minutes to combine all flavors and heat through.
  8. Serve: Divide the pasta among serving plates. Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately for the best flavor.

Notes

  • Reserve some pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency if it becomes too thick.
  • White wine is optional but adds depth to the sauce; substitute with vegetable broth if preferred.
  • Adjust red pepper flakes according to your heat preference.
  • For a dairy-free option, omit Parmesan or use a vegan cheese alternative.
  • Use fresh lemon juice and zest for the best bright flavor.

Keywords: sardine pasta, Italian pasta recipe, quick pasta, seafood pasta, lemon pasta, easy weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://yumwithmia.com/nigella-sardine-pasta-recipe/