A light and zesty pasta dish that transforms humble canned sardines into a vibrant and satisfying meal with fresh herbs and lemon. Simple, quick, and bursting with flavor.

Sardine Suppers: Quick & Healthy Meals
A light and zesty pasta dish that transforms humble canned sardines into a vibrant and satisfying meal with fresh herbs and lemon. Simple, quick, and bursting with flavor.
Ingredients
- 200 g spaghetti or linguine
- 2 cans sardines in olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 0.5 cup fresh parsley chopped
- 0.25 cup fresh basil chopped
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 0.25 cup olive oil extra virgin
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
- While pasta cooks, gently flake the drained sardines into a bowl. Set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Do not brown.
- Add the flaked sardines, chopped parsley, chopped basil, lemon zest, and lemon juice to the skillet. Stir gently to combine and warm through for 2-3 minutes.
- Drain the pasta and add it directly to the skillet with the sardine mixture. Add half of the reserved pasta water. Toss well to coat, adding more pasta water as needed to create a light sauce.
- Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Serve immediately, garnished with extra fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
For an extra crunch, toast some breadcrumbs in olive oil and sprinkle over the finished dish. A pinch of chili flakes can add a lovely kick. Serve with a crisp green salad.
