Easy Tinned Fish Meals
This quick and flavorful pasta dish transforms humble tinned sardines into a gourmet-level meal in minutes, perfect for a busy weeknight.
Ingredients
- 1 cup short pasta such as penne or fusilli
- 1 can sardines in olive oil drained (reserve oil)
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 0.25 cup fresh parsley chopped
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
- While pasta cooks, heat a tablespoon of the reserved sardine oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using), and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add the drained sardines to the skillet, breaking them up gently with a spoon. Cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing them to warm through and infuse with garlic.
- Add the cooked and drained pasta to the skillet with the sardines. Stir in the chopped parsley and lemon juice.
- Add a splash of reserved pasta water (2-3 tablespoons) to create a light sauce, stirring until everything is well combined and coated. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Serve immediately.
Notes
Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat or some fresh lemon zest at the end for brightness. Any small, short pasta like penne or fusilli works well.