Tomato and Sardine Spaghetti With Crispy Breadcrumbs

Name: Tomato and Sardine Spaghetti With Crispy Breadcrumbs
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 30g Panko Breadcrumbs; 30g Flat Leaf Parsley, roughly chopped; 3 tbsp Olive Oil; 3 Garlic Cloves; 1 Lemon, juiced and zested; 2 Tins Sardines in oil, or brine - drained; 1 Onion, finely sliced; 400g Spaghetti; 0.25 tsp Chilli Flakes; 400g Tinned Cherry Tomatoes; 25g Black Olives, roughly chopped

Pescatarian

Fish

4.5

5m prep time

30m total time

Easy level

11 ingredients

Tomato and Sardine Spaghetti With Crispy Breadcrumbs recipe by Cherrypick

Bright, bold, and surprisingly simple, this tomato and sardine spaghetti is a pantry-powered dinner that punches well above its weight. Sweet tomatoes and rich sardines create a silky sauce that clings to pasta, while golden, garlicky breadcrumbs add the perfect crunch on top. It’s fast, flavourful, and proof that tinned fish deserves a permanent spot on your weekly menu.

Method

Based on 4 servings, adjust as needed.

Step 1

Put a wide frying pan on a medium heat, and add a generous dash of olive oil. Scatter in the breadcrumbs and a bashed garlic clove. Cook for 4-5 mins, stirring often, until golden and crisp. Season and transfer to a small bowl lined with kitchen paper. Disgard the crushed garlic clove.

Step 2

Wipe out the pan, pour in a little more oil, then scatter in the onion and a pinch of salt. Cook for 8-10 mins until softening and golden around the edges. Cook the spaghetti following pack instructions and drain, reserving a little of the cooking water.

Step 3

Add the chopped garlic to the frying pan, cook for 1 min, then tip in the drained sardines, tinned cherry tomatoes and chilli flakes, if using. Gently mash with a wooden spoon to make a thick sauce (about 5-6 minutes). Scatter in the olives, lemon juice and cooked spaghetti, along with a good splash of the pasta cooking water. Mix very thoroughly to coat.

Step 4

Stir through the chopped parsley, divide between bowls, then sprinkle over the crispy breadcrumbs and serve.

Ingredients
Based on 4 servings

30g Panko Breadcrumbs 1 x Sainsbury's Panko Breadcrumbs, Inspired to Cook 100g
30g Flat Leaf Parsley, roughly chopped 1 x Sainsbury's Fresh Packed Flat Leaf Parsley 30g
3 tbsp Olive Oil 1 x Sainsbury's Olive Oil 500ml
3 Garlic Cloves 1 x Sainsbury's Garlic
1 Lemon, juiced and zested 1 x Sainsbury's Lemons
2 Tins Sardines in oil, or brine - drained 2 x Sainsbury's Sardines in Sunflower Oil 120g (90g*)
1 Onion, finely sliced 1 x Sainsbury's Onions Loose
400g Spaghetti 1 x Sainsbury's Spaghetti Pasta 500g
0.25 tsp Chilli Flakes 1 x Sainsbury's Crushed Chillies 32g
400g Tinned Cherry Tomatoes 1 x Sainsbury's Italian Pomodorini Cherry Tomatoes in rich tomato juice, Taste the Difference 400g
25g Black Olives, roughly chopped 1 x Sainsbury's Pitted Kalamata Olives with Herbs 70g