Spicy Sardine Linguine

Serves: 2
Time: 20–25 minutes
Vibe: Pantry staples, quick, comforting, low effort but feels good

🛒 Ingredients

• 180–200g linguine (or spaghetti)

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 small onion, finely diced

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• ½–1 tsp chilli flakes

• 1 tbsp tomato paste

• 1 x 400g tin chopped tomatoes

• 1 tin sardines in olive oil, lightly drained

• 2–3 anchovy fillets, finely chopped (optional but great)

• 1 tbsp crème fraîche

• 2 tbsp Kalamata olives, roughly chopped

• Salt & black pepper

To finish:

• Small handful parsley, finely chopped

• Small handful basil, torn

• Zest of ½ lime

• Juice of ½ lime (to taste)

• Optional drizzle olive oil

🍳 Method (quick + efficient)

1. Get your pasta on
   Salted water, boil, cook until al dente.
   → Save a little pasta water before draining.

2. Start the base
   Olive oil into a pan, medium heat.
   Add onion + pinch of salt.
   Cook 5–6 mins until soft.

3. Build flavour fast
   Add garlic, chilli flakes, and anchovies.
   Cook 30–60 seconds, let the anchovies melt.

4. Tomato + depth
   Add tomato paste → cook 1–2 mins (this is key).
   Add chopped tomatoes → simmer 10–12 mins until thickened.

5. Add the good stuff
   Flake in sardines + add olives.
   Stir gently.

6. Make it silky
   Lower heat → stir in crème fraîche.
   Add a splash of pasta water until glossy.

7. Toss
   Add pasta straight into the sauce → toss well.

8. Finish (this makes it)
   Off the heat, add:

• parsley

• basil

• lime zest

• squeeze of lime

Black pepper + optional drizzle of olive oil.