Skip to main content

Pasta with Sardines and Lemon

Image may contain Spaghetti Food Pasta Noodle Meal and Dish

Sardines are one of the ocean’s most sustainable superfoods. Because they tend to fall apart, save half for topping the dish just before serving.

Recipe information

  • Total Time

    30 minutes

  • Yield

    6 Servings

Ingredients

2 4-ounce cans smoked whole sardines
12 ounces linguine or other dried pasta
4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 small shallot, finely chopped
4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
3/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
4 radishes, trimmed, quartered
2 cups baby kale or spinach leaves
2 tablespoons (or more) fresh lemon juice
Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper
Lemon zest (for serving)

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Clean sardines, if needed, by splitting in half lengthwise with a knife and removing backbones; set aside.

    Step 2

    Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Drain reserving 1 cup pasta cooking liquid.

    Step 3

    Meanwhile, heat 2 Tbsp. oil in a large heavy pot over medium heat. Add shallot, garlic, and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring occasionally, until fragrant, about 2 minutes.

    Step 4

    Add pasta, radishes, kale, half of sardines, and 1/2 cup pasta cooking liquid to pot. Increase heat to medium-high and cook, stirring and adding more pasta cooking liquid by Tablespoonfuls if needed, until sauce coats pasta. Stir in lemon juice and remaining 2 Tbsp. oil. Season with salt, pepper, and more lemon juice, if desired. Serve topped with lemon zest and remaining sardines.

Nutrition Per Serving

1 serving contains: Calories (kcal) 390 Fat (g) 15 Saturated Fat (g) 2 Cholesterol (mg) 55 Carbohydrates (g) 48 Dietary Fiber (g) 2 Total Sugars (g) 3 Protein (g) 18 Sodium (mg) 290
Read More
Khao niaow ma muang, or steamed coconut sticky rice with ripe mango, is a classic in Thai cuisine—and you can make it at home.
With just a handful of ingredients, this old-fashioned egg custard is the little black dress of dinner party desserts—simple and effortlessly chic.
This classic 15-minute sauce is your secret weapon for homemade mac and cheese, chowder, lasagna, and more.
With rich chocolate flavor and easy customization, this hot cocoa recipe is just the one you want to get you through winter.
Make this versatile caramel at home with our slow-simmered method using milk and sugar—or take one of two sweetened condensed milk shortcuts.
Crunchy and crowd-pleasing, this salad can be prepared in advance and customized to your heart’s content.
High on zucchini, corn, eggplant, and tomatoes. Low on dirty dishes.
Juicy peak-season tomatoes make the perfect plant-based swap for aguachile.