Description
This recipe for anchovy pasta is a quick, pantry-friendly dish that’s full of umami flavor and ready in under 20 minutes. Perfect for a simple weeknight dinner or an elegant last-minute meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz spaghetti or linguine
- 5–6 anchovy fillets in oil (or 1 tsp anchovy paste)
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 3–4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
- 1 tsp lemon zest (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Toasted breadcrumbs or parmesan for topping (optional)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add sliced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add anchovy fillets or paste to the pan. Stir gently as they melt into the oil.
- Add red pepper flakes and optional lemon zest. Stir to combine.
- Toss in cooked pasta and reserved pasta water. Stir well to coat the noodles.
- Season with pepper (and salt if needed). Add parsley and toppings if desired.
- Serve immediately with extra toppings on the side.
Notes
Anchovy paste can replace whole fillets for convenience—use about ½ tsp per 2 fillets.
To make it healthier, use whole wheat pasta or add spinach.
Pairs well with dry white wine or lemony arugula salad.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 470
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 13g
- Cholesterol: 10mg