This quick and easy Mackerel Pasta recipe takes just 15 minutes, it is easy to adapt (you can even use canned mackerel) and it is packed with protein and heart healthy omega-3s. A great way to use store-cupboard staples, this is a healthy pasta dish and one of our favourite mackerel recipes.
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About this Mackerel Pasta Recipe
We LOVE mackerel and our fridge and cupboard is always always stocked with it for easy meals like this mackerel pasta recipe. Using canned mackerel makes a nice change from canned tuna.
Delicious flavours of the Mediterranean with heart healthy fish in a comforting pasta dish. It doesn't get much better than that!
We have made this mackerel pasta SO many times. It's the kind of meal you make differently every time, because it's so adaptable once you have the basics. If you aren't sure what to with mackerel, then this is a great place to start.
Looking for more fish pasta recipes? Why not try our delicious Sardine Pasta or our comforting Tuna Pasta Bake?
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Ingredients and Substitutions
A full ingredients list, along with US Customary and Metric measurements, can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Spaghetti - Any pasta will work for this mackerel pasta, but we like spaghetti or tagliatelle, as the sauce really clings to it.
- Mackerel - This is our favourite mackerel recipe, because it is SO easy to make. You really can't get it wrong. We used mackerel fillets but if you are using canned, make sure it is just in olive oil, rather than a flavoured one. Mackerel is a more "fishy" tasting fish, but it does have the added benefit of being lower in mercury.
- Spinach - An easy way to give a green vegetable boost to any pasta dish. You could swap this for kale, but it would need to be cooked for a little longer.
- Shallots - You can use a small brown onion, but shallots have a sweeter flavour.
- Garlic - Freshly crushed is best, but you can use frozen to save time.
- Lemon - We have used the juice and the zest and it adds a lovely freshness.
- Parmesan - Although you wouldn't usually serve fish and cheese together, we think a little cheese with pasta is a must. You could also use mozzarella.
- Tomatoes - Some halved cherry tomatoes add a pop of colour.
- Sun-dried tomatoes - These add a really Mediterranean flavour.
- Creme fraiche - We have used this to add a little creaminess to the pasta. It could be swapped for cream cheese.
- Parsley - It finishes the whole dish off and adds a lovely freshness.
Variations
Crunch - You can add pine nuts on top for some added crunch, or even another seed like sunflower or pumpkin seeds would work. Nuts like walnuts or flaked almonds work as well.
Sauce - A little creme fraiche makes up the sauce here. However if you wanted a tomato based sauce, then why not try our Easy Tomato Pasta Sauce recipe? Or you could stir some Homemade Pesto through it.
Vegetables - Pretty much anything goes here, as long as they are quick cooking as this is a speedy pasta dish. You could add cavolo nero or you could add some chopped roasted red peppers for a flavour boost.
Any roasted vegetables like our Air Fryer Roasted Vegetables work. We like to add olives too, to add to the Mediterranean vibe.
How to Make Mackerel Pasta
- Step 1: Add the spaghetti to a pan of boiling water. Simmer for 12 minutes.
- Step 2: Heat the oil over a low heat and add the shallots and garlic. Cook for 4 minutes until the shallots start to soften.
- Step 3: Add the tomatoes and spinach. Continue to cook until the spinach gas wilted, about 5 minutes.
- Step 4: Drain the spaghetti and add to the pan with about 50ml/0.25cup of the pasta water and the flaked mackerel.
- Step 5: Add the sun-dried tomatoes, parsley, creme fraiche, Parmesan and lemon juice and zest. Mix well, but carefully so as to not break up the mackerel any more. Serve immediately.
Serving Suggestions
This mackerel recipe really has it all. It's got the carbs, protein and vegetables in it and it's really filling too. However, if you want some sides to go with it, then we have you covered.
Garlic bread and pasta is the perfect match and either our Air Fryer Garlic Bread or Cheesy Garlic Bread go really well with this.
For some extra vegetables on the side, why not try our Roasted Tenderstem Broccoli, Air Fryer Peppers or Sauteed Cabbage?
Dannii's Top Tips
- A splash of white wine added at the same time as the lemon adds a lovely richness to this.
- If you like spicy food, then add a sprinkle of red chilli flakes before serving.
- Capers add a lovely extra flavour to this mackerel recipe.
- We used unsmoked mackerel for this recipe, but you could use smoked if you prefer.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is recommended because it's an easy way to make the sauce really silky smooth, with no extra effort.
This is best eaten straight away, but if you have any leftovers, then they can be stored in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. You can reheat it in a pan with a little oil. We don't recommend freezing this. You can reheat mackerel pasta on the stove with a little water to loosen it up.
You can use your favourite gluten free pasta and make sure there is no cross contamination from the other ingredients.
More Seafood Pasta recipes
If you've tried this mackerel pasta recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
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Recipe
15 Minute Mackerel Pasta
Ingredients
- 140 g (5 oz) Spaghetti
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- 2 Shallots - finely diced
- 2 Garlic cloves - crushed
- 8 Cherry tomatoes - halved
- 100 g (3.33 cups) Spinach
- 190 g (7 oz) Mackerel fillets - flaked
- 4 Sun-dried tomatoes - diced
- 60 g (0.25 cups) Crème fraîche
- 20 g (0.25 cups) Parmesan - grated
- 1 Lemon - juice and zest only
- 5 g (1.5 tablespoon) Fresh parsley - finely chopped
Instructions
- Add 140 g Spaghetti to a pan of boiling water. Simmer for 12 minutes.
- Heat 1 tablespoon Olive oil over a low heat and add 2 Shallots and 2 Garlic cloves. Cook for 4 minutes until the shallots start to soften.
- Add 8 Cherry tomatoes and 100 g Spinach. Continue to cook until the spinach gas wilted, about 5 minutes.
- Drain the spaghetti and add to the pan with about 50ml/0.25cup of the pasta water and 190 g Mackerel fillets.
- Add 4 Sun-dried tomatoes, 5 g Fresh parsley, 60 g Crème fraîche20 g Parmesan and the juice and zest of 1 Lemon. Mix well, but carefully so as to not break up the mackerel any more. Serve immediately.
Recipe Tips
- A splash of white wine added at the same time as the lemon adds a lovely richness to this.
- If you like spicy food, then add a sprinkle of red chilli flakes before serving.
- Capers add a lovely extra flavour to this mackerel recipe.
- We used unsmoked mackerel for this recipe, but you could use smoked if you prefer.
Nutritional Information
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The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.
Nina says
My son is allergic to salmon and I struggle to find excitingly tasty ways to get good oily fish into him ... this recipe has absolutely hit the nail on the head - it's stunning - packed with vibrant flavours & the ease of using canned mackerel to boot! Silky rich, punchy flavours, this is an absolute winner which I will bring out for special occasions as well as boosts to nutrition for a treat at tea time. Thank you so much!
Tara says
Oh yum! Such a quick and easy pasta dish. The flavors were amazing and I love that it comes together in only 15 minutes.
Kathryn says
I grew up eating mackerel and I love it in pasta! This had tons of flavor and I'm so glad I came across your recipe :) Thanks for sharing!
Sisley says
I love how quick this was to make. It also lasted really well for have in lunchboxes the next day.
Tayler says
I’ve been trying to add more seafood to my diet, so I made this pasta for dinner last night. It was incredible! Definitely making again soon
Gianne says
I recently tried this recipe and it was a hit! The combination of the tender mackerel with the tangy tomato sauce was delicious. The recipe was quick and easy to follow, making it a great weeknight dinner option.