Turn a fairly boring can of sardines into a nutritious and very tasty meal with this budget-friendly Spanish sardines pasta recipe. This pasta salad dish is undoubtedly one of the quickest and simplest pasta recipes you will ever make. It is very likely you'll have if not all, at least 80% of the ingredients already in your pantry. This recipe is my go-to work from home lunch, such a saviour.
This canned sardines recipe is one of those quick pasta dishes you can make any time for any occasion whether that's a simple and quick lunch for work, a party gathering or to take to a potluck.
This is the kind of dish you can make after coming back from a holiday and not have gone to the grocery store yet.
This pasta salad dish was inspired by my orzo, halloumi and olives pasta salad recipe and pairs well with this chicken, tomato and pesto pasta salad recipe. All great ideas to take to a bbq garden party or to make for family and friends any time. There are many pasta salad recipe ideas on my site, check them out. Some require a little cooking some don't. Meanwhile, you may also want to try my skinny tuna salad, another amazing quick fish salad recipe that I am sure you will love.
Jump to:
Ingredients
Here is a glimpse of all ingredients (see picture below) that I have used in this pasta recipe with Spanish sardines. The beauty is that this recipe is hugely versatile and only the sky is the limit to what you could add to it in terms of crudities or, well, the fridge is the limit!
In this recipe I have used:
- rocket salad (arugula)
- parsley
- red chilli flakes
- sardines (from a can)
- radishes
- cucumber
- avocado
- cherry tomatoes
- red onion
- green olives with garlic and red chilli
- sweet corn
- lemon ( freshly squeezed lemon juice)
- salt and pepper
- freshly cooked pasta ( cooked al dente)
See the full recipe below for all the quantities.
How to make Spanish sardines pasta
I did mention this sardine pasta recipe is the easiest and the quickest pasta dish to make. I wasn't joking.
Cook the pasta, chop, dice, shred or slice all the listed ingredients mix and here you have it! Hooray!
Hint: use any ingredients, cooked or raw (crudites) you fancy or have handy. This is the beauty of this pasta dish.
Substitutions
- Pasta - instead of pasta penne, you can use tagliatelle or linguini (such a tasty pasta) in fact any pasta you like works well with this fish pasta dish or use gluten-free pasta for a gluten-free pasta version
- Spanish sardines - you may use any version of sardines, in olive oil, in water (brine) or in tomato sauce. These are all delicious and work perfectly in this dish. I will list a few more fish options that can go very well in this recipe.
- Vegan - make it a vegan version by adding chickpeas, beans or tofu instead of fish. Vegan cheese is awesome too.
- Low-calorie - substitute the pasta for zoodles (zucchini noodles)
Variations
Other fish to use in this pasta dish
- smoked mackerel
- pilchards
- anchovies - fillets salty or marinated
- smoked salmon - cold smoked or hot
- tuna - canned or seared
See this frankfurters and olives with linguini version on my website!
Storage
This can be stored for a good 2-3 days in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
These ingredients don't stand up well to freezing.
Before storing this pasta salad in the refrigerator, make sure the pasta is completely cold.
Store in a glass or ceramic bowl and place a lid over or a cling film to hermetically cover it with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for no longer than 24 hours. The pasta makes a great lunchbox filling the next day. It is perfectly okay served cold, particularly on a hot summer day.
I definitely do not recommend you do as this dish will not taste the same and when reheating the pasta will be way overcooked. It is definitely a no-no to freezing.
Yes, yes,yes, very good indeed!!
Eating sardines, whether canned or fresh, is a great way to increase your Omega-3 fatty acids intake, essential for brain health and as an anti-inflammatory helping with healing.
They contain high levels of omega 3 which is well known and proven to be an immune system booster and improves cognition and cardiovascular health, not to mention the high levels and source of calcium and vitamin D.
One or two portions of sardines or any other oily fish per week are adequate and sufficient for most people. Oily fish can contain small amounts of mercury so it's best not to have it in excess.
The health organisations' recommendations are that most of us should not consume sardines or oily fish more than four times a week and two if pregnant or breastfeeding.
Top tip
Don't overcook the pasta as this dish will no longer be the same. Besides, overcooked pasta isn't the best thing to have. Pasta should be cooked al dente and for the best results, follow the package instructions or simply try these with a fork to make sure they are cooked to perfection.
Other pasta recipes you may like :
- Super Quick Baked Feta Pasta
- Macaroni Pasta With Ground Walnuts And Cardamom - an unmissable sweet pasta dish that my dad used to make for us for breakfast
- Swiss Chard, Salmon, Turmeric And Fresh Lovage Warm Salad With Acini De Pepe Pasta
- Pasta Shells Filled With Spinach And Ricotta Cheese
Delicious Spanish Sardines Pasta
Equipment
Ingredients
- 300 g pasta (uncooked weight)
- 2 cans Spanish sardines
- 4-5 small sweet peppers
- 200 g sweetcorn
- 200 g cucumber
- 10 medium radish
- 12 green olives
- 100 g rocket salad
- 15 sprigs parsley
- 1 large avocado
- 1 medium lemon juice and zest
- 1/4 teaspoon red chilli flakes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (optional) *
Instructions
- In a larger pot, add water, bring to boil, add the pasta penne and cook as per package instructions. When finished rinse with cold water so pasta doesn't cook any further -we need it al dente.
- While the pasta is cooking, chop, cut or shred the ingredients as desired.
- When the pasta is ready add to a large bowl, add all the chopped, diced or shredded ingredients, add the Spanish sardines and mix.
- Add the roughly chopped rocket salad and the parsley, the lemon juice, a drizzle of olive oil, a generous pinch of red chilli flakes or cayenne pepper, season with some sea salt and freshly crushed black pepper. Mix again and serve.
Notes
- Olive oil you may use if your sardines are in brine but if you choose the ones in olive oil there is no need for any extra
- Prepare all your ingredients whilst the pasta is cooking to make it all in a flash
- This pasta is delicious cold making a lovely summer dish but it can also be served warm.
- This is the perfect pasta salad dish for any pasta leftovers if you did cook too much the night before - no wasting, remember?
Nutrition
Nancy says
What a light and perfect pasta salad for the warmer weather. This would be great to take to a potluck or cookout.
nancy says
i love sardines! it's one of my favourite things to add to a meal. thanks for this easy recipe
Emily says
I loved how fast this recipe was. The avocado was my favorite part. Thanks for sharing.
Allyssa says
This spanish sardines pasta is indeed delicious! I really loved how flavorful and super tasty it turned out! Loved it!
Loreto and Nicoletta says
What a lovely pasta. Love all the colors, pkenty of veggies, and those spanish sardines would take this pasta directly to flavor town. This is perfect for the summer season!😋🥰❤👍👌
Daniela says
I was never a big sardines fan but had a few cans in my pantry that needed to be used up. This recipe converted me. I will buy more sardines for sure. Thank you for sharing this recipe for Spanish Sardines Pasta.
Annie says
This is such a fun summer pasta! The saltiness of the sardines is balanced perfectly with all the fresh produce.
Uma says
I agree this pasta salad is perfect for a picnic and salad. I love the pasta salad, especially which is loaded with veggies.
Jamie says
This sardine pasta was so delicious! Tinned sardines are something I always have on hand so it was super convenient!
Erin says
This looks interesting! I've never tried sardines pasta before. Definitely looks worth a try!
Hayley Dhanecha says
This recipe was so quick and easy to make! We all loved it. Thanks for the amazing recipe!
LaKita says
This pasta is so tasty and delicious. The sardines and olives added so much delicious flavor, I will be making it again.
Heidy says
Good morning!
This Spanish Sardines Pasta was awesome. I love sardines- so tasty when appropriately used. This Pasta dish hit the spot with me. I had leftovers, so I decided to share some with my coworker. I laughed because she gobbled down her lunch and loved it ( she doesn't eat sardines!) You have made her a new fan of them with this recipe! Now that's a darn good recipe when that happens!
Ramona says
ahaha you did make me laugh out loud Heidy! I am so happy you have converted your colleague to eat sardines 😉 Well done!!