Description
A delicious and vibrant Tomato & Sardine Orzo dish enhanced with a zesty olive gremolata. This hearty one-pan meal features perfectly cooked orzo simmered in a rich tomato base, combined with flavorful sardines and topped with a fresh, tangy gremolata made from olives, parsley, and lemon zest. Ideal for a quick and nutritious dinner packed with Mediterranean flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 shallot, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- ½ tsp chilli flakes
- 250g orzo
- 400g can chopped tomatoes
- 2 x 120g cans sardines in tomato sauce
- 40g pitted green olives, roughly chopped
- 15g parsley, leaves picked
- ½ lemon, zested and juiced
Instructions
- Prepare the aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a deep frying pan over medium heat. Add the finely chopped shallot and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring often, until softened and golden around the edges.
- Cook garlic and chilli: Stir in the finely chopped garlic and chilli flakes, cooking for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and well combined with the shallots.
- Add orzo: Stir the orzo into the pan to coat it with the aromatic mixture.
- Simmer the orzo: Pour in the chopped tomatoes and two cans of water (using one of the emptied sardine cans for measurement). Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring often, until the orzo is just tender but still al dente.
- Make the gremolata: While the orzo cooks, combine the chopped green olives, parsley leaves, lemon zest and lemon juice in a small bowl. Season with a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper, mixing well to create a fresh and tangy gremolata.
- Combine sardines: Once the orzo is cooked, gently flake the sardines into the pan along with their sauce. Stir carefully to incorporate them evenly through the dish without breaking the fish too much.
- Serve: Spoon the orzo and sardine mixture onto plates, then sprinkle generously with the olive gremolata. Add an optional final grinding of black pepper to taste before serving.
Notes
- Use the empty sardine can to measure the water for easy portioning and authentic flavor balance.
- Be gentle when folding in the sardines to keep nice chunks intact for texture.
- The gremolata adds a bright contrast that balances the rich sardines perfectly.
- For a spicier kick, adjust chilli flakes to your preferred heat level.
- This dish pairs well with a crisp green salad or crusty bread for a full meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Keywords: Tomato sardine orzo, Mediterranean orzo recipe, sardine pasta, olive gremolata, quick stovetop meal
