Spaghetti e Alici, a fast and delicious Italian Pasta Recipe, a must try!
Have you ever not eaten something because everyone you know has always said “don’t eat that, it’s disgusting” so for years and years you never even looked at it never mind eat it because you were convinced it was something you would not like?
So when my mother-in-law served up her delicious Spaghetti e Alici who would have thought I would be eating anchovies! Let’s be honest basically any food sounds amazing in Italian.
That’s why I titled it in Italian, I imagined if I had called it Spaghetti and anchovies very few would have been interested. Am I right?
I could not believe I missed out on something so delicious because I was convinced I would never like it. How many different or simple pasta dishes have I tried that are as good or even better than all the fancy creamy recipes? My mother-in-law didn’t quite make it this way .
Spaghetti e Alici
My husband continues to remind me that he perfected this dish. I think we must have made it at least 4 times last week until the Italian was content. Trust me even if you are thinking “Oh no never anchovies, anything but!”
This is the perfect combination, they mix up so well together.
So why not give Spaghetti e Alici a try? Before you know it you will be ordering anchovies on your pizza! Buon Appetito!
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 8 anchovies chopped (I used anchovies canned oil and drained)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil 39 grams
- 14 cherry tomatoes quartered and seeded (divided)
- 1/2 teaspoon basil 1/2 gram
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano 1/2 gram
- a pinch or 2 hot pepper flakes
- 3 cups cooked spaghetti approximately 12 ounces / 350 grams dried
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In a large pot of salted water cook the spaghetti al dente.
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While pasta is cooking, in a large pan add oil, garlic and anchovies, cook on low-medium heat and mash with a fork till it becomes creamy (approximately 5 minutes) , then add the 10 quartered cherry tomatoes, basil, oregano and a pinch or 2 of hot pepper flakes and cook gently stirring until mixed together and tomatoes have softened then add the 4 cherry tomatoes and 1/4 ladle of pasta water mixing to combine, cook for 2 minutes, add the 3 cups cooked spaghetti raise the heat slightly and toss gently to coat the pasta and sauce has thickened. Serve immediately. Enjoy!
Anchovies are FANTASTIC!! We’ve been adding to our pasta sauce and our pizza for quite some time. Yes at one time we did not use them, my Honey thought it would make things too “fishy”. My mamma and papa loved anchovies and so did I. I started putting them in the sauce and it was love at first bite. The anchovies just give a depth of flavor such as to the Puttanesca sauce or the Arrabbiata sauce. Darn!! I’m getting hungry writing about it and looking at your pictures. Great idea to use the cherry tomatoes – I love their sweetness.
Marisa Franca @ All Our Way
Sushi! Growing up in Wyoming everyone was afraid of it (for a good reason, Wyoming is no where near the ocean) and for years I stayed clear of it. A friend encouraged me to try and and I loved it and now my family freaks out when I talk about it 🙂
I’ve never tried anchovies, but you’ve inspired me! Need to knock that one off the list of “things I’d never eat” 🙂