Choose Your Own Adventure Sardine Pasta

1. 1

   Bring a pot of heavily salted water to a boil and cook the pasta to 2 minutes before done. While this is going on, make the sauce.

2. 2

   In a large saute pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat and add the sardines (no need to drain unless you want to), mashing with a spoon to break up. Add in garlic and onion and saute until soft - about 5 minutes.

3. 3

   Add tomatoes, spinach, capers, lemon juice and red pepper flakes and continue to cook until the ingredients meld together. If you are using canned tomatoes, do not drain - just add it all in. If you are using fresh greens instead of frozen spinach, just toss them in the sauce uncooked - they will cook down as the sauce cooks. If the sauce gets tight before the pasta is done cooking, add in a bit of the starchy pasta water.

4. 4

   Add the pasta and mix together with the sauce. Cover with a lid and cook for another minute or two until the pasta is cooked to your liking. Stir in the fresh parsley and season with salt if needed.

5. 5

   Mix together the melted butter with bread crumbs until it resembles wet sand.

6. 6

   Serve the pasta topped with bread crumbs and grated parmesan.

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.