Sardine Pesto Pasta

Ingredients: 

• 1 pound pasta or gluten-free pasta of your choice, such as spaghetti, penne, rotini, or farfalle
• 2 cans sardines, drained and mashed
• 2 tablespoons olive oil or unsalted butter
• 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped, or 1 ½ teaspoons jarred minced garlic
• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish
• 1/2 cup basil pesto, store-bought or homemade
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• Chopped fresh parsley or basil, optional, for garnish

Method:

1. Cook pasta in a large pot of well-salted water according to package instructions. Drain, reserving about 1 cup of pasta water and set aside.
2. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add sardines and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring to combine. Remove skillet from heat.
3. Add Parmesan, pesto, salt, pepper and pasta, and toss to coat. Add reserved pasta water, a splash at a time, until desired consistency is reached and pasta is coated in sauce evenly.
4. Garnish with parsley and additional parmesan, and serve.

Tip:

Add cherry tomatoes or spinach with sardines, and cook until blistered or wilted.