Dear Reader, allow us to change your mind about sardines with this zesty tasty and easy sardine pasta! You will ABSOLUTELY not believe how good it is until you make it. I’ve heard this from so many people who tried it! Pasta with sardines may sound odd to us, but it’s an Italian staple al the way from Sicily!
If you haven’t tried pasta with sardines before, you’re completely missing out. While we used canned sardines for this recipe, you can absolutely make it using our guide to cooking freshĀ Sardines. My grandpa, who is the genius cook behind some of our most viral recipes made sardines every week.
Some of my grandpa’s popular recipes include his Mediterranean Baked Fish,Ā Hot Pepper Sauce,Ā Olive Oil Cake, Pan Fried Potatoes and Fried Eggplant Salad.
Sardine pasta is one of the Mediterraneanās most flavorful and historically rich seafood dishes. Known for its bold savory depth, simple ingredients, and nourishing qualities. This dish transforms humble pantry staples into something deeply satisfying.
Today’s sardine pasta was inspired by our many trips to Italy and it’s gorgeous cuisine! While pasta with sardines is classically a Sicilian recipe and would include olives, we have twisted it slightly.
What is Sardine Pasta
Sardine pasta is a Mediterranean seafood pasta made by combining sardines with olive oil, aromatics like garlic or onion, herbs, and cooked pasta. The sardines naturally break down into a rich savory sauce that coats the pasta.
The dish appears across many coastal cuisines, but the most famous version comes from Sicily, known as pasta con le sarde.
Across coastal Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Greece, sardines have long been paired with pasta because their natural oils create an instant sauce that clings beautifully to noodles. The most famous version, Sicilian pasta con le sarde, dates back centuries and combines sardines with aromatics, herbs, olive oil, and sometimes fennel or citrus.
Fishermen often cooked sardines immediately after returning from sea, pairing them with dried pasta and whatever aromatics were available.
Today, sardine pasta remains a staple of the Mediterranean diet, known for its balance of seafood, olive oil, herbs, and simple seasonal ingredients.
Whether youāre cooking with Fresh Sardines or canned sardines, this dish delivers restaurant quality results with surprisingly little effort.
Why You’ll LOVE Sardine Pasta
- You WON’T taste the sardines like you expect to! This is especially important for those who aren’t super friendly with the fish. It’s rather a mild seafood flavor blended with lemon, garlic, olive oil, capers and sweet tomatoes. HEAVENLY!
- Itās incredibly flavorful: Sardines deliver a deep umami richness that coats pasta beautifully without requiring heavy sauces.
- Itās fast to make: Most sardine pasta dishes come together in about the same time it takes to boil pasta.
- Itās nutritious: Sardines are one of the most nutrient dense fish you can eat, packed with omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, and protein.
- Itās budget friendly: High quality canned sardines create restaurant quality pasta at a fraction of the cost of other seafood dishes.
- Itās authentic Mediterranean cooking: This dish represents centuries of coastal culinary tradition using simple ingredients and bold flavors.
- The quality of sardines is KEY. We love using MINA Sardines as they’re wild caught, boneless, skinless and packed in quality olive oil. It tastes and smells like the Mediterranean š
- Makes a weeknight dinner wonder!
- This pasta with sardines requires super simple basic ingredients, and it’s super versatile.
- Ā All you need is one pan for this recipe, no fuss and no mess!
- Other amazing seafood pasta recipes include:Ā Lobster Pasta,Ā Mussels Marinara &Ā Shrimp Pasta.
Ingredients To Make It
- Sardines.Ā While you can use freshĀ Sardines and cook it with our guide, we have loved MINA canned sardines! They are wild caught, skinless, boneless sardines packed in quality extra virgin olive oil. They genuinely taste and smell like the Mediterranean! SO CLEAN. Quality canned sardines are KEY to this recipe. Canned sardines are the most practical option and still deliver excellent flavor.
- Olive oil.Ā Since this recipes uses minimal ingredients, quality olive oil is also KEY to the recipe. While you can use butter, it’s not as authentic as using olive oil.
- Garlic.Ā While you can substitute shallots, we have loved garlic for this recipe.
- Capers.Ā The salty taste ad chewy texture makes capers one of the main flavors here–we use MINA capers as well.
- Tomatoes.Ā Fresh seasonal sweet cherry tomatoes are our favorite to use here.
- Lemon.Ā Lemon and seafood work wonderfully together, so we use the zest here and some slices to finish off the pasta.
- Basil.Ā While you can use any fresh herb like oregano or parsley, we’re sticking with the Italian classic : basil.
- Pasta. This is completely a taste thing, so feel free to use your favorite. Commonly it’s made with Spaghetti, Bucatini, Linguine or any long thin pasta shapes. These shapes help capture the oil based sauce and small pieces of sardine.
- Seasoning.Ā A simple salt, pepper and chili flakes is all you need.
- Optional: Anchovies for a richer Umami, some breadcrumbs for a crunch topping, pine nuts for a texture contrast, a hint of spice from red pepper flakes is also perfect!
Choosing the Best Sardines for Pasta
The type of sardines you choose dramatically affects the final dish.
1.Fresh Sardines
Fresh sardines deliver the most delicate flavor and tender texture. Look for fish that have bright, clear eyes, silvery skin, a clean ocean scent and firm flesh.
Fresh sardines are commonly used in southern Italy and Mediterranean coastal regions.
2. Canned Sardines
Canned sardines are the most common choice worldwide. They are already cooked and preserved, making them extremely convenient.
Look for sardines that are packed in olive oil, labeled wild caught with minimal additives.Ā Avoid sardines packed in heavy sauces if making traditional pasta. High quality canned sardines have firm flesh that breaks into beautiful flakes when warmed in the sauce.
How to Make Sardine Pasta
Cook the pasta
Boil the pasta in a large pot of salted water until just al dente. Reserve about a cup of pasta water before draining.
SautƩ aromatics
- To make pasta with sardines, you’ll start with one largeĀ skillet. A sauce pan or 10 inch skillet is what you need for the sauce and you’ll begin with lots of quality olive oil.
- Heat the skillet over medium-high heat. The first layer of flavor is garlic and lots of seasonal sweet cherry tomatoes.
Add Sardines
- When the tomatoes have burst slightly and released their juices, you’ll add in the sardines. make sure you’re using theĀ boneless type. It’s super tricky to eat pasta when there are tiny bones that can be a choking hazard. Use 2 tins of sardines for 2 people.
3. Then you’ll add in the capers to the sauce and gently saute that with the sauce over medium heat. - Finish off with plenty of fresh herbs which add so much brightness to the pasta. We love a combo of fresh oregano and fresh basil. We love a seasoning of salt, pepper and lots of chilli flakes, but that’s completely up to you.
3. Then you’ll add in the capers to the sauce and gently saute that with the sauce over medium heat.
Toss with pasta
- During the time when you’re making this sauce, it would be the time to cook the pasta simultaneously. We love a spaghetti or linguine for this sardine pasta recipe, however any shape of your choice would work.
Step 5: Add pasta water
- For a luscious and saucy pasta with sardines, we use our favorite trick: pasta water! Simply reserve a cup or so of the pasta water when draining it. That water is added in slow amounts to the sardine pasta as you toss the spaghetti in. You’ll notice the sauce becomes creamy and luscious.
Finish with Olive Oil, herbs and citrus
The final touch and the MOST important one! The sardine pasta is enriched with a hefty drizzle of quality extra virgin olive oil. Use quality olive oil here, you want to taste it! This will not cook, it’s a topping š Add extra herbs and lemon zest on top.
Serve right away and enjoy!
Pro Tips for Sardine Pasta Recipe
- We recommended boneless skinless sardines. Quality, wild caught fish that’s packed in EVOO is a game changer, specially the MINA brand.
- Since this recipe has minimal and simple ingredients, make sure you use quality tasting ingredients.
- You can use other veggies like shallots, onions, bell peppers and more. Make sure to customize it to your taste.
- It’s best to make and enjoy this dish right away.
- Try canned salmon for a variety of seafood.
- Avoid over mixing the sardines in the skillet as you don’t want them to mush, they should be chunks.
- The pasta water is for creating a saucy sauce for the pasta, you can however skip it if you prefer a dryer pasta.
- A finish of EVOO drizzled on top along with lemon zest is the perfect finish to the taste, and you’ll be tasting the brightness of both. We highly recommend this step!
- Avoid using lemon juice as it will make your pasta soggy. The zest is all you need for a perfect lemon flavor without the liquid.
Sardine Pasta Variations
- Sicilian Pasta Con le Sarde: Add fennel, raisins, pine nuts and a breadcrumb topping.
- Canned Sardine Pasta: Add just garlic, olive oil, canned sardines, lemon and parsley
- Mediterranean Sardine Pasta: Add tomatoes, capers, olives, chili flakes.
- Tomato Sardine Pasta: Some Italian households add crushed tomatoes or cherry tomatoes for a richer sauce.
- Chili Sardine Pasta: In southern Italy, chili flakes are added for heat.
How to Store Leftovers?
The dish can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 2 days, although we recommend enjoying it all the same day. To reheat the pasta, you can so in the microwave, or in a skillet with some water to loosen up the sauce. Freezing this sauce is not our choice as the texture changes.
Can you use fresh Sardines to make this pasta with sardine recipe?
While you can absolutely use freshly cookedĀ SardinesĀ following this tutorial, we prefer canned. Since the fish has tiny fish bones which could be challenging to remove , we recommend boneless canned fish for this recipe. It is however your choice.
What to Serve with Sardine Pasta
Ā Garlic BreadĀ ,Ā FougasseĀ or a brightĀ Peach Burrata Salad,Ā Panzanella SaladĀ would work great. Likewise, you can dollop someĀ Basil PestoĀ orĀ Sun Dried Tomato PestoĀ too.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using too much heat: High heat can break the sardines apart into a paste.
- Skipping acidity: Lemon or vinegar helps balance the natural oils.
- Overloading the dish: Sardine pasta works best when kept simple.
- Not salting the pasta water: Properly seasoned pasta makes a huge difference.
Is Sardine Pasta Healthy?
Yes. Sardine pasta is considered part of the Mediterranean diet, one of the most studied healthy eating patterns in the world.
Sardines are rich in:
ā¢ Omega-3 fatty acids
ā¢ Vitamin D
ā¢ Calcium
ā¢ High quality protein
They also tend to contain lower mercury levels than many larger fish.
Does sardine pasta taste fishy?
When prepared correctly, sardine pasta tastes savory and rich rather than overly fishy. High quality sardines and fresh aromatics help balance the flavor.
Can you make sardine pasta with canned sardines?
Yes. Canned sardines are actually the most common option and work extremely well in pasta dishes.
What pasta goes best with sardines?
Long pasta shapes such as spaghetti, linguine, and bucatini work best because they hold the light oil based sauce.
Are sardines healthy in pasta?
Sardines are one of the most nutritious seafood options available, providing omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, and protein.
Can you freeze sardine pasta?
Freezing is not recommended because the texture of the sardines and pasta may change after thawing.
What herbs go well with sardine pasta?
Fresh parsley, fennel fronds, basil, and oregano pair beautifully with sardines.
Should I remove sardine bones?
In canned sardines, the tiny bones are soft and edible. They are rich in calcium and typically dissolve into the sauce.
Why Does My Sardine Pasta Taste Too Fishy?
Sardine pasta should taste rich, savory, and slightly briny, not overwhelmingly fishy. Using high quality sardines packed in olive oil also makes a big difference.If the flavor is too strong, a few things may be happening.
ā¢ Low-quality canned sardines
ā¢ Too many sardines compared to pasta
ā¢ Lack of acidity or fresh herbs
ā¢ Sardines cooked too long
How to fix it
ā¢ Fresh lemon zest or lemon juice
ā¢ Chopped parsley or basil
ā¢ A small splash of white wine
ā¢ A pinch of chili flakes
Why Is My Sardine Pasta Sauce Oily?
Because sardines are naturally rich in oil, the sauce can sometimes separate and feel greasy instead of silky.
ā¢ Too much oil in the pan
ā¢ Not enough pasta water
ā¢ Pasta added too late
How to fix it
The key is emulsification. Add a small splash of reserved pasta water and toss the pasta vigorously. The starch in the water helps bind the oil and creates a smooth sauce that coats the noodles instead of pooling in the pan.
Why Is My Sardine Pasta Dry?
A dry sardine pasta usually means the sauce didnāt properly coat the noodles.
ā¢ Not enough pasta water
ā¢ Pasta overcooked or drained too thoroughly
ā¢ Sauce reduced too much
How to fix it
Always reserve at least one cup of pasta cooking water before draining. Add small splashes while tossing the pasta until the sauce becomes glossy and lightly coats each strand.
Why Do My Sardines Fall Apart Too Much?
Sardines should gently break into flakes, not dissolve into a paste.
ā¢ Cooking them too aggressively
ā¢ Stirring too frequently
ā¢ Using very soft canned sardines
How to fix it
Add sardines near the end of cooking and break them apart gently with a spoon. Let them warm through rather than simmering them for too long.
Why Does My Pasta Lack Flavor?
Sardine pasta relies on a few ingredients, so seasoning is important.
ā¢ Pasta water not salted enough
ā¢ Not enough aromatics
ā¢ Missing finishing ingredients
How to fix it
Enhance the final dish with:
ā¢ Extra virgin olive oil
ā¢ Lemon zest
ā¢ Fresh herbs
ā¢ Toasted breadcrumbs
ā¢ Chili flakes
Why Does My Sauce Not Stick to the Pasta?
A silky sardine pasta should cling to the noodles, not sit at the bottom of the bowl.
ā¢ Pasta rinsed after cooking
ā¢ No starch added to emulsify the sauce
ā¢ Pasta added too late
How to fix it
Never rinse pasta after cooking. Toss the pasta directly with the sauce and add a splash of starchy pasta water to bind everything together.
Pasta Recipes
Mussels Marinara
Burrata Pasta
Pasta Primavera
Pesto Pasta with Pistachio Pesto
Baked Ziti Recipe
Shrimp Pasta
Lobster Pasta
Spaghetti aglio e olio ā Olive oil Pasta
Sardine Pasta
Ingredients
Sardine Pasta
- 2 teaspoons olive oil MINA brand is our fave!
- 3-4 garlic cloves minced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 2 cans sardines MINA is our favorite brand
- 1 1/2 Tablespoons capers Likewise, MINA is our favorite
- 1/4 cup Herbs fresh basil and fresh oregano leaves
- 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper
- 1 box spaghetti cooked
- 1/2 cup Pasta water to make a sauce
Serving
- 1/4 cup olive oil MINA is our favorite
- 1 lemon zested
- 1/2 teaspoons chilli flakes optional
Instructions
-
To make pasta with sardines, you'll start with one skillet. A sauce pan or 10 inch skillet is what you need for the sauce and you'll begin with lots of quality olive oil. The first layer of flavor is garlic and lots of seasonal sweet cherry tomatoes.
-
When the tomatoes have burst slightly and released their juices, you'll add in the sardines. make sure you're using theĀ boneless type. It's super tricky to eat pasta when there are tiny bones that can be a choking hazard.
-
Then you'll add in the capers to the sauce and gently saute that with the sauce.
-
Finish off with plenty of fresh herbs which add so much brightness to the pasta. We love a combo of fresh oregano and fresh basil. We love a seasoning of salt, pepper and lots of chilli flakes --but that's completely up to you.
-
During the time when you're making this sauce, it would be the time to cook the pasta simultaneously. We love a spaghetti or linguine for this sardine pasta recipe, however any shape of your choice would work.
-
For a luscious and saucy pasta with sardines, we use our favorite trick--pasta water! Simply reserve a cup or so of the pasta water when draining it. That water is added in slow amounts to the sardine pasta as you toss the spaghetti in. You'll notice the sauce becomes creamy and luscious.
-
The final touch and the MOST important one! The sardine pasta is enriched with a hefty drizzle of quality extra virgin olive oil. Use quality olive oil here--you want to taste it! This will not cook, it's a topping š
-
Serve right away and enjoy!
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
Pro Tips for Sardine Pasta Recipe
- We recommended boneless skinless sardines. Quality, wild caught fish that's packed in EVOO is a game changer, specially the MINA brand.
- Since this recipe has minimal and simple ingredients, make sure you use quality tasting ingredients.
- You can use other veggies like shallots, onions, bell peppers and more. Make sure to customize it to your taste.
- It's best to make and enjoy this dish right away.
- Try canned salmon for a variety of seafood.
- Avoid over mixing the sardines in the skillet as you don't want them to mush, they should be chunks.
- The pasta water is for creating a saucy sauce for the pasta, you can however skip it if you prefer a dryer pasta.
- A finish of EVOO drizzled on top along with lemon zest is the perfect finish to the taste, and you'll be tasting the brightness of both. We highly recommend this step!
- Avoid using lemon juice as it will make your pasta soggy. The zest is all you need for a perfect lemon flavor without the liquid.
Sardine Pasta Variations
- Sicilian Pasta Con le Sarde: Add fennel, raisins, pine nuts and a breadcrumb topping.
- Canned Sardine Pasta: Add just garlic, olive oil, canned sardines, lemon and parsley
- Mediterranean Sardine Pasta: Add tomatoes, capers, olives, chili flakes.
- Tomato Sardine Pasta: Some Italian households add crushed tomatoes or cherry tomatoes for a richer sauce.
- Chili Sardine Pasta: In southern Italy, chili flakes are added for heat.
How to Store Leftovers?
The dish can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 2 days, although we recommend enjoying it all the same day. To reheat the pasta, you can so in the microwave, or in a skillet with some water to loosen up the sauce. Freezing this sauce is not our choice as the texture changes.
Can you use fresh Sardines to make this pasta with sardine recipe?
While you can absolutely use freshly cookedĀ SardinesĀ following this tutorial, we prefer canned. Since the fish has tiny fish bones which could be challenging to remove , we recommend boneless canned fish for this recipe. It is however your choice.
What to Serve with Sardine Pasta
Ā Garlic BreadĀ ,Ā FougasseĀ or a brightĀ Peach Burrata Salad,Ā Panzanella SaladĀ would work great. Likewise, you can dollop someĀ Basil PestoĀ orĀ Sun Dried Tomato PestoĀ too.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using too much heat: High heat can break the sardines apart into a paste.
- Skipping acidity: Lemon or vinegar helps balance the natural oils.
- Overloading the dish: Sardine pasta works best when kept simple.
- Not salting the pasta water: Properly seasoned pasta makes a huge difference.
Is Sardine Pasta Healthy?
Yes. Sardine pasta is considered part of the Mediterranean diet, one of the most studied healthy eating patterns in the world.
Sardines are rich in:
ā¢ Omega-3 fatty acids
ā¢ Vitamin D
ā¢ Calcium
ā¢ High quality protein
They also tend to contain lower mercury levels than many larger fish.
Does sardine pasta taste fishy?
When prepared correctly, sardine pasta tastes savory and rich rather than overly fishy. High quality sardines and fresh aromatics help balance the flavor.
Can you make sardine pasta with canned sardines?
Yes. Canned sardines are actually the most common option and work extremely well in pasta dishes.
What pasta goes best with sardines?
Long pasta shapes such as spaghetti, linguine, and bucatini work best because they hold the light oil based sauce.
Are sardines healthy in pasta?
Sardines are one of the most nutritious seafood options available, providing omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, and protein.
Can you freeze sardine pasta?
Freezing is not recommended because the texture of the sardines and pasta may change after thawing.
What herbs go well with sardine pasta?
Fresh parsley, fennel fronds, basil, and oregano pair beautifully with sardines.
Should I remove sardine bones?
In canned sardines, the tiny bones are soft and edible. They are rich in calcium and typically dissolve into the sauce.
Why Does My Sardine Pasta Taste Too Fishy?
Sardine pasta should taste rich, savory, and slightly briny, not overwhelmingly fishy. Using high quality sardines packed in olive oil also makes a big difference.If the flavor is too strong, a few things may be happening.
ā¢ Low-quality canned sardines
ā¢ Too many sardines compared to pasta
ā¢ Lack of acidity or fresh herbs
ā¢ Sardines cooked too long
How to fix it
ā¢ Fresh lemon zest or lemon juice
ā¢ Chopped parsley or basil
ā¢ A small splash of white wine
ā¢ A pinch of chili flakes
Why Is My Sardine Pasta Sauce Oily?
Because sardines are naturally rich in oil, the sauce can sometimes separate and feel greasy instead of silky.
ā¢ Too much oil in the pan
ā¢ Not enough pasta water
ā¢ Pasta added too late
How to fix it
The key is emulsification. Add a small splash of reserved pasta water and toss the pasta vigorously. The starch in the water helps bind the oil and creates a smooth sauce that coats the noodles instead of pooling in the pan.
Why Is My Sardine Pasta Dry?
A dry sardine pasta usually means the sauce didnāt properly coat the noodles.
ā¢ Not enough pasta water
ā¢ Pasta overcooked or drained too thoroughly
ā¢ Sauce reduced too much
How to fix it
Always reserve at least one cup of pasta cooking water before draining. Add small splashes while tossing the pasta until the sauce becomes glossy and lightly coats each strand.
Why Do My Sardines Fall Apart Too Much?
Sardines should gently break into flakes, not dissolve into a paste.
ā¢ Cooking them too aggressively
ā¢ Stirring too frequently
ā¢ Using very soft canned sardines
How to fix it
Add sardines near the end of cooking and break them apart gently with a spoon. Let them warm through rather than simmering them for too long.
Why Does My Pasta Lack Flavor?
Sardine pasta relies on a few ingredients, so seasoning is important.
ā¢ Pasta water not salted enough
ā¢ Not enough aromatics
ā¢ Missing finishing ingredients
How to fix it
Enhance the final dish with:
ā¢ Extra virgin olive oil
ā¢ Lemon zest
ā¢ Fresh herbs
ā¢ Toasted breadcrumbs
ā¢ Chili flakes
Why Does My Sauce Not Stick to the Pasta?
A silky sardine pasta should cling to the noodles, not sit at the bottom of the bowl.
ā¢ Pasta rinsed after cooking
ā¢ No starch added to emulsify the sauce
ā¢ Pasta added too late
How to fix it
Never rinse pasta after cooking. Toss the pasta directly with the sauce and add a splash of starchy pasta water to bind everything together.
Consider our minds changed! This pasta dish was so full of flavour and I particularly liked the way the capers complimented the sardines. We’ll be making this again!
Made this recipe yesterday and this is delicious, thanks for sharing this recipe. I am saving this recipe for my family to try!
You have changed my mind about sardines! I was a little skeptical about adding them to pasta, but am so happy that I gave it a go – it was delicious!
We loved this sardine pasta recipe! It was a great way to use up extra sardines and tasted amazing.
Excellent Pasta, Thank you for sharing.
I love this recipe, gonna try this soon. Thanks for sharing
Drooling over this pasta. So delicious. Can’t wait to try this recipe.
Who knew sardines could be so delicious in pasta? This recipe is a game-changer! I took your advice and served with garlic bread. Delicious!
A delicious summer pasta and perfect for sardine lovers.
Made a bit of modification because I used my favorite sardines, but this turned out delicious! Thank you very much!
The zesty salty flavor is real! Sharing with a friend who absolutely loves sardines!
We loved this flavorful pasta recipe. The addition of sardines was just magnificent.
I am saving this to make when my sardine-loving family is home for a visit. I know they are going to love it. And your photos look so appetizing!
My husband loves sardines but never really made much with them so I gave this recipe a try. He loved it! It definitely opened up his mind to trying them in some different ways – thanks!