Sardine Pasta with Olives, Capers, and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Sardine Pasta with Olives, Capers, and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 1 pound spaghetti, cooked al dente
- 1 cup pasta water, reserved
For the Sauce
- 1/4 cup olive oil, or as needed
- 2 tablespoons capers, drained
- 1/2 cup olives, pitted and halved (e.g., Kalamata, Castelvetrano)
- 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, packed in oil, drained and chopped
- 4 garlic, cloves, grated or minced
- 2 cans sardines, 3.75-ounce each, with their oil
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped, plus more for garnish
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of the pasta water. Drain the spaghetti and set aside.
⏱️ 10 min
- 2
While the pasta cooks, prepare the sauce. Place a large skillet or pan over low heat. Add the olive oil, capers, olives, and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Sauté gently for 3-5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld, being careful not to burn the ingredients.
⏱️ 5 min
- 3
Grate or mince the garlic directly into the pan. Stir and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant. Do not let the garlic brown.
⏱️ 1 min
- 4
Add the sardines, along with their oil, to the pan. Gently break up the sardines with a wooden spoon and stir to combine with the other ingredients. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
⏱️ 2 min
- 5
Add the cooked spaghetti directly to the pan with the sauce. Pour in 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water. Grate the lemon zest over the pasta and squeeze in the fresh lemon juice. Add the chopped fresh parsley.
⏱️ 3 min
- 6
Toss all ingredients thoroughly to combine, ensuring the spaghetti is well coated with the sauce. If the pasta seems too dry, add more reserved pasta water, 1-2 tablespoons at a time, until desired consistency is reached. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
⏱️ 3 min
- 7
Serve immediately in bowls, garnished with additional fresh parsley and a lemon slice, if desired.
⏱️ 1 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Sardine Pasta with Olives, Capers, and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
For the Pasta
- 1 pound spaghetti, cooked al dente
- 1 cup pasta water, reserved
For the Sauce
- 1/4 cup olive oil, or as needed
- 2 tablespoons capers, drained
- 1/2 cup olives, pitted and halved (e.g., Kalamata, Castelvetrano)
- 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, packed in oil, drained and chopped
- 4 garlic, cloves, grated or minced
- 2 cans sardines, 3.75-ounce each, with their oil
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped, plus more for garnish
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of the pasta water. Drain the spaghetti and set aside.
⏱️ 10 min - 2
While the pasta cooks, prepare the sauce. Place a large skillet or pan over low heat. Add the olive oil, capers, olives, and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Sauté gently for 3-5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld, being careful not to burn the ingredients.
⏱️ 5 min - 3
Grate or mince the garlic directly into the pan. Stir and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant. Do not let the garlic brown.
⏱️ 1 min - 4
Add the sardines, along with their oil, to the pan. Gently break up the sardines with a wooden spoon and stir to combine with the other ingredients. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
⏱️ 2 min - 5
Add the cooked spaghetti directly to the pan with the sauce. Pour in 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water. Grate the lemon zest over the pasta and squeeze in the fresh lemon juice. Add the chopped fresh parsley.
⏱️ 3 min - 6
Toss all ingredients thoroughly to combine, ensuring the spaghetti is well coated with the sauce. If the pasta seems too dry, add more reserved pasta water, 1-2 tablespoons at a time, until desired consistency is reached. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
⏱️ 3 min - 7
Serve immediately in bowls, garnished with additional fresh parsley and a lemon slice, if desired.
⏱️ 1 min