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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Recipe Information
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
Instructions
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.
While the pasta cooks, finely chop the garlic and onion. Drain the canned sardines, reserving a tablespoon of the packing oil for later.
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.
Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes or until softened and translucent.
Add the sardines to the skillet, gently breaking them into smaller pieces with a spoon or spatula. Cook for 2 minutes to heat through.
Sprinkle in the red chili flakes and adjust to your desired spice level. Stir to combine.
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.
Squeeze in the lemon juice and toss to combine. Taste and season with salt and black pepper as needed.
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
Calories |
1119 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 58.4 g | 75% | |
| Saturated Fat | 9.0 g | 45% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 170 mg | 57% | |
| Sodium | 2715 mg | 118% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 99.8 g | 36% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 8.3 g | 30% | |
| Total Sugars | 7.9 g | ||
| Protein | 47.4 g | 95% | |
| Vitamin D | 5.8 mcg | 29% | |
| Calcium | 571 mg | 44% | |
| Iron | 9.6 mg | 53% | |
| Potassium | 954 mg | 20% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
