Pasta with Anchovies – This version of aglio e olio (garlic and oil) sauce includes anchovies, red pepper flakes, and freshly toasted breadcrumbs, which add great flavor and a little crunch.
Pasta with Anchovies
Sicilian Pasta with anchovies and breadcrumbs is a quick and easy pasta dinner. It can be made with just a few pantry staples and is ready in the time it takes to cook your pasta! The anchovies melt into the oil to add an umami flavor to this classic dish.
As many of you know, I do speak a little Italian. In Italian we say “Pasta al sugo di acciughe. It can be on the table in 15-20 minutes.
I have to give credit to Tom Garvey the Keto Cook for the idea. On his recent Wednesday evening live chat, he reminded me of Pasta with Anchovies and how wonderful it is.
In Italian, Anchovies are called “alici” and they belong to the Famiglia di pesci Azzurri or blue fish family.
You probably love anchovies and don’t know it. These common foods have anchovies as an ingredient -Worcestershire sauce.
- Worcestershire sauce
- Barbecue sauces made with Worcestershire, which a lot of homemade BBQ sauces are made of
- Caesar salad and Caesar dressing.
- Caponata which is a Sicilian eggplant relish
- Pasta Puttanesca, the list goes on.
So get over your alleged dislike of anchovies and embrace a tasty pasta dish that is simple and easy to put on the table.
Ingredients are all pantry staples (except for the fresh parsley). A dish that is so flavorful that you may consider preparing it for the company and not only for quick weeknight meals.
Pasta with anchovies, originally from Sicily, is a classic example of cucina povera, or poor man’s food. That is making do with what one has on hand.
Breadcrumbs added to Pasta with Anchovies
This pasta recipe consists of breadcrumbs with garlic and anchovies added. I know that many of you may be thinking, can you taste the anchovies in the pasta sauce?
The answer is “no”, this dish is not at all fishy. The anchovies melt in the sauce and add a salty satisfying flavor. But this dish is not all about anchovies. You’ll love the toasted, crispy breadcrumbs.
Ingredients
- 1 lb pasta/spaghetti
- Kosher salt
- 4 oil-packed flat anchovy fillets
- 6 large garlic cloves thinly sliced
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 cup plus 3 tbsp olive oil divided
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tsp chopped fresh basil
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Freshly grated Parmesan for serving
Instructions
- Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water drain, reserving 3 Tbsp. of the pasta liquid.
- Heat 1 cup of oil
- Cook anchovies, garlic, red pepper flakes, and a pinch of salt in a large skillet over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until anchovies dissolve and garlic is tender, 6–7 minutes
- Stir in parsley, then remove from heat.
- While anchovy sauce is cooking, heat remaining 3 Tbsp. oil in a skillet over medium heat
- Add panko and cook, stirring often, until golden, about 5 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper, then transfer to paper towels to cool.
- Add al dente pasta to Anchovy Sauce and stir to coat.
- Stir in reserved pasta cooking liquid, then half of the panko mixture.
- Cook over medium, stirring constantly, until heated through, 1–2 minutes; season with salt and pepper.
- Serve topped with Parmesan, fresh basil and remaining panko mixture.
Video
Nutrition
Cooking Secrets for Men
Please “like” our YouTube Videos and follow us on our YouTube Channel. Cooking Secrets For Men is also on other Social Media sites Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter.
“Cooking Secrets for Men” is listed as one of the Top 30 Men’s Cooking Websites on the Internet. You can read that article here. See where we rank for Men’s Cooking Websites.
If you like this recipe for Pasta with Anchovies, you should try our recipe for Vegan Shepherd’s Pie. Or you can try Pasta Alle Vongole (Pasta with Clams)
Unpaid by the following companies
Aloha Honey – https://alohahoney.farm/collections/all-products
Grillaholics – https://www.grillaholics.com/?ref=CSFM20 (Use Discount Code CSFM20 for all products)
Javy Coffee – https://javycoffee.com/collections/javy
ChefsTemp Thermometers – https://www.chefstemp.com/product/finaltouchx10-meat-thermometer/?tw=cookingsecretsformen. The Discount code is in the link.
E-Cookbooks for free Download
(Of course, Free) – E-Cookbook Vol 5 – Poultry and Chicken ready to download
(Free) – E-Cookbook Vol 4 – “Pasta” (written in English and Italian) is now available to download.
(Yes, Free) – E-Cookbook Vol 3 – “Appetizers” now available for free download at this link
(Free) – E-Cookbook Series Vol. 2 – “Soups & Stews” is available for free download
(Free) – E-Cookbook Vol 1 – “Sauces you’ll use – A lot”, is available for free download
All of our e-cookbooks are available on our download page.
You can submit your special recipe to us. We would love to recreate it and give you credit. And make a YouTube Video. Just go to this link “Recipe & YouTube Suggestions”. It is at the top of our home page. Click this link for an example of a Recipe Submission from a Subscriber.
We are always looking to collaborate with other bloggers. If interested in a conversation about some sort of collaboration, please contact me. And, send me one of your aprons. I’ll wear it and promote your channel and merchandise.
If you have comments or questions, please contact us at cookingsecretsformen@gmail.com
Simple, easy Italian pasta recipe
Again with the anchovies!!
Yum. I wish more people weren’t intimidated by anchovies!
Thanks Mimi, you and me both
Just to torment you