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Home » Sauce » Tomato and Anchovy Pasta

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Tomato and Anchovy Pasta

2018-06-28 by Samantha
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Silky laced spaghetti noodles with an anchovy and tomato sauce that makes the tastiest Anchovy Pasta. The anchovies dissolve and create a delicious salty base for this tomato heavy pasta sauce. via @mykitchenloveSilky laced spaghetti noodles with an anchovy and tomato sauce that makes the tastiest Anchovy Pasta. The anchovies dissolve and create a delicious salty base for this tomato heavy pasta sauce. via @mykitchenlove

Silky laced spaghetti noodles with an anchovy and tomato sauce that makes the tastiest Anchovy Pasta. The anchovies dissolve and create a delicious salty base for this tomato heavy pasta sauce.

Anchovy and Tomato Pasta in a white bowl with red wine and white linen.

This oven baked tomato sauce is one of my favourites. A dump and go sauce that requires minimal prep, but is so crazy good that you might never buy store bought again. Combined with long noodles, this Anchovy and Tomato Pasta is sure to become a family favourite.

I know the title has anchovies in it, but I promise, no one will be able to tell the difference. My entire family is under the impression that they don’t like anchovies, and yet every time I make this sauce (up 6 times in the last month to test this recipe) it disappears incredibly fast.

Anchovy and Tomato Pasta in a white bowl.

Anchovies get a bad rap from when they’re improperly served. The anchovies breakdown so much in this Anchovy Pasta that they essentially disappear and leave only their umami flavour behind. They’re a great way to season a dish that leave people wanting more.

I love having a tube of anchovy paste in my fridge to add that extra touch of umami to dishes from salad dressings to sauces like this one.

While I’m not opposed to cracking open a tin or jar of anchovies, the tube of paste allows me to use only what is required with zero waste since the tube keeps for some time in the fridge. Once you’re comfortable using it  anchovy paste is a great way to sneak in more omega-3s into your family’s diet.

Anchovy and Tomato Sauce (uncooked) in a white baking dish.

Are anchovies healthy?

These tiny fish pull their weight with omega-3s, protein (iron), and calcium in addition to a few other vitamins and minerals.

Only a small amount of anchovies deliver similar nutrition to bigger pieces of other fish (such as salmon in the omega-3 department) making them a great seafood choice that won’t break the bank.

Anchovy and Tomato Pasta in a white bowl with red wine and white linen.

This anchovy pasta sauce is similar to a puttanesca sauce, but without the olives.

My husband and kids detest olives and can detect them in puttanesca sauce (which makes me incredibly sad and has me longing for green olive bread like nobody’s business) so this recipe has been adapted to suit the olive-haters out there.

Anchovy and Tomato Sauce in a white baking dish.

This Kale Caesar Salad uses an egg-free dressing that has anchovy paste in it as well (a great way to use up that tube of anchovy paste).

5 from 11 votes
Anchovy and Tomato Pasta in a white bowl.
Print
Anchovy and Tomato Pasta
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
25 mins
 

Silky laced spaghetti noodles with an Anchovy and Tomato Sauce. This umami heavy anchovy pasta has an oven baked tomato heavy sauce and is brightened by basil and garlic. 

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: anchovy, pasta, pasta sauce
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 406 kcal
Author: Samantha
Ingredients
  • 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes (or other small and sweet tomatoes) OR 2 x 28 oz. cans Diced or Whole Tomatoes
  • 6-8 fillets anchovies OR 3 tbsp anchovy paste*
  • 4 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed
  • 8-10 basil leaves
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 tsp fine sea salt
  • 1/2 tsp fresh ground black pepper
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 lbs (454 grams) dried spaghetti noodles**
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 425° F. 

  2. In an ovenproof dish mix together tomatoes, anchovies, garlic, basil, oil, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper, and tomato paste. Bake for 20-25 minutes, stirring once halfway through. Anchovies and tomatoes should be soft and easily broken down with a spoon. 

  3. Meanwhile, cook pasta in a large pot of salted water, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.

  4. Mash tomato mixture with a potato masher and mix in reserved cooking pasta water. Taste and season with more salt if required (add only a pinch or two at a time).

  5. Toss noodles in sauce. Serve with additional finely chopped basil and parmesan cheese if desired. 

Recipe Notes

* My preferred anchovy paste can be found here. If the idea of 3 tbsp sounds like too much for your first go at anchovies, cut the anchovy amount in half and build up from there. 

**  I always save 1/2 cup of the pasta water and mix it into the sauce so it creates a silky texture. 

Nutrition Facts
Anchovy and Tomato Pasta
Amount Per Serving
Calories 406 Calories from Fat 117
% Daily Value*
Fat 13g20%
Saturated Fat 2g13%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g
Monounsaturated Fat 9g
Cholesterol 1mg0%
Sodium 478mg21%
Potassium 350mg10%
Carbohydrates 60g20%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 4g4%
Protein 11g22%
Vitamin A 379IU8%
Vitamin C 13mg16%
Calcium 32mg3%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Enjoy! xo

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About Samantha

Mom of twins, a singleton, and wife to a hungry husband. The food demands that surround me, have pushed me to lead our food life more simply, nutritiously, and deliciously. It’s a good day when family, friends, and food intersect.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jillian Wade

    2018-07-09 at 10:57 pm

    5 stars
    This pasta dish is so simple but SO delicious! This will be a comfort food recipe I’ll come back to for years to come!

    Reply
    • Samantha

      2018-07-10 at 1:28 pm

      I’m so happy to hear that! I think it’s a cozy dish myself. 🙂

      Reply
  2. Liz

    2018-07-10 at 3:40 am

    5 stars
    Your sauce is fabulous! I love having it on hand for a quick, delicious meal!!

    Reply
    • Samantha

      2018-07-10 at 1:27 pm

      It is a good one for quick meals. Thanks for the feedback Liz!

      Reply
  3. Lindsay

    2018-08-13 at 7:52 pm

    5 stars
    I love this dish! Quick to whip up with items I always have on hand and delicious. My only question is: Does the tomato paste get mixed in with the ingredients in the baked dish? (I see it in the list of ingredients but not in the instructions). Thanks!

    Reply
    • Samantha

      2018-08-15 at 2:36 pm

      Thanks for this note! The recipe has been updated. Yes, you’re correct! The tomato paste is put in before cooking so the sauce gets that intense tomato flavour.

      Reply
  4. Margaret

    2019-07-16 at 9:43 am

    5 stars
    I just made this with a few modifications and it was great! Going into my regular rotation.

    Because I was trying to use up some things, the modifications were tossing in baby spinach leaves and chopped summer squash while mixing the sauce and pasta. I didn’t have tomato paste or basil so I didn’t add them. Turned out wonderfully.

    Reply
    • Samantha

      2019-07-17 at 12:37 pm

      Love the veggie additions! <3 so happy the sauce was a hit!

      Reply
  5. Kari | Chef and Steward

    2020-04-05 at 2:24 pm

    5 stars
    Loving this recipe to the max and your photography and sharing with all my friends!

    Reply
    • Samantha

      2020-04-05 at 8:14 pm

      Thank you! Glad you like this easy recipe. I appreciate your kind words.

      Reply
  6. Robert

    2020-09-26 at 10:42 am

    5 stars
    Hi Samantha,
    A distant friend suggested trying a Pasta Sauce with anchovies, tomatoes and parsley. I couldn’t remember the details but found your oven-based (very appealing, something different) recipe. So I just used a bunch of parsley instead of the basil leaves and it turned out amazing! – We’ll have it again this weekend.
    Thanks a lot, Rob

    Reply
    • Samantha

      2020-09-28 at 9:12 am

      Love the herb switch up! I’m going to give that a try myself great idea.

      Reply
  7. Kiara

    2020-12-27 at 5:30 pm

    5 stars
    I’ve made this three times now. Don’t substitute things. It’s so good as is. If you want to add things, more dried chilli and a bit of minced sun dried tomato is nice. But everything written is needed – especially the basil and the anchovies! I go with really nice imported anchovies and always fresh tomatoes.

    Reply
    • Samantha

      2020-12-29 at 12:05 pm

      Great tips! I’m going to try the sun dried tomatoes next too. Thanks for the note.

      Reply
  8. Cath C

    2022-03-20 at 1:22 am

    5 stars
    Oh my goodness, this is soooo delicious! I followed the recipe, didn’t make any changes, it’s perfect. I served it with a mix of lentil pasta & zucchini noodles. Will be making this weekly from now on. Thank you so much!

    Reply
    • Samantha

      2022-03-23 at 7:44 pm

      Love that mix of lentil pasta and zucchini noodles! I’m going to give that a try. Thanks for the note 🙂

      Reply
  9. Amy Liu Dong

    2022-09-17 at 7:42 am

    5 stars
    Such a very unique pasta recipe that looks so delicious and yummy! What I love about the recipe is the natural tomato that is included in it! We can never go wrong with Pasta!

    Reply
    • Samantha

      2022-09-18 at 12:47 pm

      Agree! Pasta is always the right answer 🙂

      Reply
  10. Ann

    2023-08-27 at 5:53 pm

    5 stars
    I have not thought about adding anchovies to a pasta dish. What a great idea! Thanks for the recipe share!

    Reply
    • Samantha

      2023-08-31 at 4:04 pm

      Pleasure, it’s a great way to add protein in an economic way.

      Reply
  11. Jamie

    2023-08-27 at 11:31 pm

    5 stars
    First of all, love the freshness vibe that this dish gives! It looks amazingly delicious and very tasty! Plus we can never go wrong with pasta! Loved it!

    Reply
    • Samantha

      2023-08-31 at 4:04 pm

      Pasta is our go to for a meal everyone will love!

      Reply

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Hi, I’m Samantha!

Thanks for coming by! I'm a mom with 3 young daughters, a wife, and a foodie trying to keep my head above water with simple, delicious, and nutritious food. Let me know if you have any questions or comments. I'd love to hear from you! Read More…

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