Spaghetti with Anchovies, Garlic, Lemon & Chilli
A quick, vibrant spaghetti dish featuring anchovies, garlic, lemon, and chilli for a savory, fresh, and slightly spicy pasta with a silky finish. Perfect for busy weeknights using pantry staples.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
- 500 g spaghetti
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, finely sliced
- 6 anchovy fillets
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1–2 chillies, finely chopped
- Juice of 1 lemon (about 3 tablespoons)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Fresh pecorino, for serving (grated)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Salt it well and cook the spaghetti until al dente according to package instructions.
- While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat.
- Add garlic and anchovy fillets. Stir for about 1 minute until garlic is fragrant and anchovies begin to melt into the oil.
- Stir in parsley and chopped chilli, then remove the pan from heat.
- Reserve 2 cups of pasta cooking water before draining the pasta.
- Drain the spaghetti and add it to the pan with the anchovy mixture.
- Toss well, gradually adding reserved pasta water until spaghetti is glossy and evenly coated. Add more water if needed.
- Season with black pepper and salt to taste, keeping in mind the anchovies’ saltiness.
- Serve immediately topped with freshly grated pecorino.
Notes
- Use lemon zest for extra citrus aroma.
- Adjust chilli quantity or remove seeds for desired spice level.
- Top with toasted breadcrumbs for crunch.
- For creamier texture, stir in extra pasta water and olive oil at the end.
- Swap anchovies with chopped olives and lemon juice for a different flavor.
- Best served fresh, but can be stored and reheated with a splash of water.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 68g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
