Viral Spicy Tomato Sardine Pasta

May 21, 2026
🍝 EXTREME SAVINGS 🍝
Just $3.15 per serving
Most people spend $15–$20 on pasta with seafood → YOU SAVE UP TO 84%

EBT-Friendly: 100% of ingredients

Made by Holly

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CRUNCH THE NUMBERS A fiery, umami-packed pasta that comes together in under 15 minutes. Cherry tomatoes burst into a spicy sauce with sardines, garlic, and Calabrian chili peppers. Proof that pantry staples can make something extraordinary.

$3.15

YOUR cost/serving

$15–$20

Restaurant seafood pasta

84%

Savings vs. restaurant

🍝 PRICE LOCKED: RESTAURANT-QUALITY PASTA FOR UNDER $4 🍝

Ingredients

Ingredients:

0.5x
1x
2x
4x
 
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Ingredients are subject to availability at local stores. Unavailable items will be automatically substituted at best-effort.

Directions

  1. Put spaghetti in salted water to cook according to package instructions. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining.
  2. In a large skillet over medium heat, pan fry the smashed garlic cloves in olive oil until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
  3. Add cherry tomatoes to the pan and press down on them with a spoon or spatula to burst them open.
  4. Add Calabrian chili peppers and the tin of sardines in spicy tomato oil. Break up the sardines with a spoon and stir to combine.
  5. Add a pinch of salt to taste.
  6. Once the spaghetti is cooked, add it to the pan with a splash of reserved pasta water. Stir and toss to combine, letting the sauce coat the noodles.
  7. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Cost Breakdown (per serving)

\n
Ingredient Cost
Spaghetti (2 bundles) $0.50
Cherry tomatoes (2 handfuls) $0.80
Garlic cloves (4, smashed) $0.15
Olive oil (1 tbsp) $0.10
Calabrian chili peppers (1 tsp) $0.15
Sardines in spicy tomato oil (1 tin) $1.45
TOTAL $3.15
🍝 WAREHOUSE PRO TIP 🍝
Buy a jar of Calabrian chili peppers — they last forever in the fridge and add heat to everything. Use the oil from the sardine tin as part of your sauce base for extra flavor.

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