Smelly Bachelor Pasta
Transform your midweek dinner routine with Smelly Bachelor Pasta, a bold and irresistibly flavorful dish that's perfect for adventurous eaters and lovers of quick, pantry-friendly meals. This recipe combines al dente spaghetti with the rich, briny goodness of sardines, a punch of garlic, and the subtle spice of red chili flakes, all brightened with a splash of lemon juice and fresh parsley. Ready in just 25 minutes, this easy one-pan wonder is the ultimate bachelor-style pasta dish—simple, satisfying, and unapologetically aromatic. Serve it with a crusty piece of bread to mop up the savory sauce, and enjoy an unfussy, gourmet-inspired meal that’s as memorable as it is delicious. Keywords: sardine pasta recipe, quick bachelor meals, garlic spaghetti, pantry-friendly recipes, spicy pasta ideas.
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Ingredients
- 250 grams spaghetti
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 large garlic cloves
- 1 medium yellow onion
- 1 can (about 120 grams) canned sardines in olive oil
- 0.5 teaspoons red chili flakes
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons parsley
- 1 teaspoon (to taste) salt
- 1 teaspoon (to taste) black pepper
Directions
Step 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
Step 2
While the pasta cooks, finely chop the garlic and onion. Drain the canned sardines, reserving a tablespoon of the packing oil for later.
Step 3
In a large skillet over medium heat, warm the olive oil and the reserved sardine oil together. Add the garlic and sauté for 1 minute, being careful not to burn it.
Step 4
Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes or until softened and translucent.
Step 5
Add the sardines to the skillet, gently breaking them into smaller pieces with a spoon or spatula. Cook for 2 minutes to heat through.
Step 6
Sprinkle in the red chili flakes and adjust to your desired spice level. Stir to combine.
Step 7
Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet along with the reserved pasta water, a tablespoon at a time, until the sauce coats the pasta evenly.
Step 8
Squeeze in the lemon juice and toss to combine. Taste and season with salt and black pepper as needed.
Step 9
Sprinkle chopped parsley on top and serve immediately. Optionally, garnish with extra chili flakes for an added kick or some grated Parmesan cheese.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (592.0g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 1118.8 |
| Total Fat 58.4g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 9.0g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 4.0g | |
| Cholesterol 170.4mg | 0% |
| Sodium 2714.8mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 99.8g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 8.3g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 7.9g | |
| Protein 47.4g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 231.6IU | 0% |
| Calcium 571.3mg | 0% |
| Iron 9.6mg | 0% |
| Potassium 953.5mg | 0% |
Source of Calories