Lemony Sardine Pasta

Lemon lovers, this is the pasta for you.

By
Karishma Pradhan
Karishma Pradhan
Karishma Pradhan
Karishma is the founder of Home Cooking Collective (HCC) as well as a freelance food writer, recipe developer, and photographer.
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Published July 12, 2023
Karishma Pradhan
Lemony Sardine Pasta Topped With Toasted Breadcrumbs in a Bowl Next to a Glass of Wine and a Bowl With More Breadcrumbs on a Piece of Wood

Simply Recipes / Karishma Pradhan

When I'm feeling a quick and easy meal, I lean hard on my repertoire of pantry pasta. I'll whip up a classic aglio e olio (garlic and olive oil sauce), throw together a quick pesto, or toss pasta with some simple sautéed greens. 

I fully believe that pasta doesn't have to be complicated to be tasty or impressive. So when I set off to develop a recipe featuring canned sardines, I knew it needed to feel special without feeling burdensome. The resulting recipe is loosely inspired by pasta con le sarde, a Sicilian sardine pasta. 

Here, the mild, briny flavor of sardines is complemented by tangy, sweet caramelized lemons and buttery Castelvetrano olives. Garlic and red chili flakes sauté in oil, and the aglio e olio-like base serves two functions: it amps up the pasta sauce and provides a flavorful canvas for frying breadcrumbs. 

In addition, the crispy, crunchy garlic and breadcrumbs offer a fun textural component. Keeping things light and bright, a garnish of parsley completes the dish. 

Lemony Sardine Pasta Topped With Toasted Breadcrumbs in a Bowl Sitting on a Mustard Colored Table Linen

Simply Recipes / Karishma Pradhan

Best Pasta Shapes for This Pasta

I recommend a long pasta shape you can twirl around your fork to pick up all those jammy, crispy bits. Spaghetti, bucatini, or fusilli col buco are all great options.

If your budget allows, opt for bronze-cut pasta. Bronze-die pasta has more texture on the surface, so it picks up the sauce better. And these cuts release significantly more starch into the pasta water, yielding a saucier dish. 

How to Select Sardines

There are a few different characteristics to look for when purchasing sardines. 

  • Look for canned sardines packed in oil, providing lots of added flavor. 
  • Choose wild sardines over farmed varieties. 
  • Sardines from Portugal or Spain are likely to be of high quality. My go-to brand is Matiz, which is excellent value and has a firm texture. 
Lemony Sardine Pasta Topped With Toasted Breadcrumbs in a Bowl

Simply Recipes / Karishma Pradhan

Tips and Tricks

  • Don't be afraid of giving those lemons some color! The caramelization will offset any bitterness in the fruit. 
  • Season and adjust the dish as needed. The pasta should taste briny, lemony, and garlicky, with a hint of spice. Not spicy enough? Add more chili flakes. Not lemony enough? Add a squeeze of juice. 

Serving Suggestions

I love pairing this pasta with vibrant greens, like a classic green salad, kale salad, or a shaved Brussels sprouts Caesar salad. And if you're feeling up for it, a glass of cool, crisp, dry white wine makes for an ideal pairing.

Quick Pasta Dinners

Lemony Sardine Pasta

Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 15 mins
Total Time 30 mins
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

  • 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced

  • 1 teaspoon red chili flakes, plus more if needed

  • 1/3 cup panko breadcrumbs

  • Salt, to taste

  • 2 lemons

  • 12 ounces of dried pasta, such as spaghetti or bucatini

  • 2 (3.5-ounce to 4.5-ounce) tins of sardines in olive oil, drained and roughly chopped

  • 1 cup pitted Castelvetrano olives, chopped

  • 1/4 cup flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped

Method

  1. Cook the pasta:

    Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta, and cook until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving 3/4 cup of pasta water.

  2. Toast the breadcrumbs:

    While the water is coming to a boil, prepare the breadcrumbs. Add the olive oil, garlic, and chili flakes to a large skillet. Set over medium heat, and saute for 2-3 minutes, or until the garlic is just beginning to turn golden. 

    Remove from the heat, and transfer half of the garlic-oil mixture to a small bowl. Set aside to add to the pasta later.

    Add the breadcrumbs to the pan with the remaining garlic-oil mixture and toss to combine. Set over medium-low heat, and toast the breadcrumbs for 2-3 minutes until golden brown. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate, season with a pinch of salt, and set aside.

    Chili Flakes and Sliced Garlic Sizzling in a Pot With Some Olive Oil for Lemony Sardine Pasta

    Simply Recipes / Karishma Pradhan
  3. Prep the lemons: 

    Trim off the pointy ends of the lemons. Thinly slice 1 1/2 lemons into 1/8-inch rounds. Remove any seeds, then finely chop the rounds. 

    Cut the remaining 1/2 lemon into wedges for serving.

    Lemon Thinly Sliced and Cut Into Small Bite Size Pieces on a Cutting Board

    Simply Recipes / Karishma Pradhan
  4. Caramelize the lemons:

    Wipe the pan clean, then add the reserved garlic-oil mixture back into the skillet. Set over medium-low heat, then add the lemons. 

    Sauté for 4-6 minutes until they've fully softened and caramelized, turning slightly golden brown.

    Lemon Pieces Sautéed in the Pot for Lemony Sardine Pasta Recipe

    Simply Recipes / Karishma Pradhan
  5. Add the sardines:

    Add the sardines and olives to the pan, and saute over medium-high heat for 1-2 minutes. Reduce the heat to low.

    Sardines and Olives Added to Pot With Lemon Pieces

    Simply Recipes / Karishma Pradhan
  6. Serve:

    Add the pasta to the skillet, and stir to combine with tongs. Stir in about 1/4 cup of pasta water, and toss the pasta, stirring frequently until the sauce clings to the noodles. 

    Season with salt to taste, and add chili flakes if desired. Divide amongst serving bowls, top with the breadcrumbs, then garnish with the parsley and a squeeze of lemon if needed. 

    Refrigerate leftover pasta and breadcrumbs in separate airtight containers for up to 2 days.

    Love the recipe? Leave us stars and a comment below!

    Pasta Added to Pot and Tossed With the Lemony Sardine Sauce

    Simply Recipes / Karishma Pradhan
    Lemony Sardine Pasta Topped With Toasted Breadcrumbs in a Bowl Sitting on a Mustard Colored Table Linen

    Simply Recipes / Karishma Pradhan
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
559 Calories
29g Fat
60g Carbs
23g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 559
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 29g 37%
Saturated Fat 4g 20%
Cholesterol 85mg 28%
Sodium 476mg 21%
Total Carbohydrate 60g 22%
Dietary Fiber 9g 32%
Total Sugars 14g
Protein 23g
Vitamin C 131mg 655%
Calcium 340mg 26%
Iron 6mg 33%
Potassium 770mg 16%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.