Best Spanish Mackerel Pasta Recipe

Everyone knows that fish & pasta recipes are a match made in heaven, but you can take them to the next level with an Andalusian touch.

When it comes to Spanish mackerel recipes, no one shines as bright as the mackerel pasta recipe: one that combines the best flavors of the Southern Spain region, and it’s also super simple to make.

Read this article to learn how to prepare Spanish recipes like this one with some extra tips to nail every aspect of this smoked mackerel recipe. 

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Pssst…!!?? You can’t get enough of Spanish fish recipes? Have a look at my other posts: 

• Spanish mackerel fillet

• Bacalao croquettes

• Spanish Sardine Pasta

Background of the Dish

Fish pasta recipes have reached a new level of fame in the past few years, surpassing in popularity other classics like the mackerel salad or the Spanish mackerel sushi.

The mackerel recipe combines one of the most beloved fishes from Andalusia, with the best type of pasta (tagliatelle or spaghetti), and other classic ingredients like garlic, onion, and tomato sauce.

This mesmerizing recipe is super simple to make, and you will have the perfect main dish to serve at a gathering with friends and family, or to enjoy by yourself.

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Things You’ll Need for Mackerel Pasta Recipe

To prepare this pasta and mackerel filet recipe you need smoked mackerel, tomato sauce, garlic, onion, and pasta (spaghetti or tagliatelle) as the main ingredients.

If you don’t like smoked fish then you can follow other ways of cooking Spanish mackerel, like grilled Spanish mackerel or roasted mackerel recipe.

Ingredients

• 3 smoked mackerel filets
• 450 gr fresh tagliatelle or spaghetti
• 2 cups (480ml) tomato sauce 
• 1 onion
• 1 red bell pepper
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon chili flakes
• 1/4 cup (15 gr) fresh chopped parsley
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Parmesan cheese (optional, to grate on top)
• Water for boiling

How to Make Mackerel Pasta Recipe – Step by Step Guide

1. The first step in this mackerel pasta recipe is to fill a large pot with water (filling about 3/4 of the pot) and a good pinch of salt, then bring it to a boil.

2. As the water boils, peel and mince the garlic. Peel and chop the onion into small squares. Also, chop the red bell pepper, discarding the seeds and stem.

3. Now grab a saucepan, and add a few tablespoons of olive oil to fry the garlic, onion, and red bell pepper for 8 minutes until fragrant and golden brown. Add the tomato sauce to the pan and cook for 5 more minutes.

4. After that, cut the Spanish style mackerel (they can be canned mackerel filets too) and stir them in the sauce with the seasonings. Cook for 5 extra minutes.

5. Then, drop the pasta in the boiling water and cook according to the package instructions (it usually takes from 4 to 8 minutes, but keep an eye on them).

6. For the next step in this pasta and fish recipe, you can drain the pasta but save at least 1/4 cup of pasta water for the sauce. Stir the pasta into the sauce with that extra water and the chopped fresh parsley.

7. Now you can serve the Spanish mackerel fish with pasta warm and, optionally, top each plate with grated parmesan cheese.

Substitution of Ingredients

As well as most of the mackerel pasta recipes, you can play a lot with the ingredients listed in this recipe.

For example, you can add more bell peppers, onion, or garlic to this Spanish mackerel filet recipe according to your preferences.

You can prepare this mackerel pasta recipe with fresh Spanish mackerel, and we recommend grilling the fish in that case, so the cooking process is faster (about 10 minutes).

Besides that, you can make this fish and pasta recipe with gluten-free noodles, or your favorite type of pasta.

If you don’t have pasta in hand then you can prepare other smoked mackerel filet recipes, like the mackerel patty recipe or the mackerel pate recipe.

Tips on Serving Mackerel Pasta Recipe

Something that we love about fish and pasta recipes is that they are the most complete dishes: you have protein, carbs, and vegetables all in one.

That also means that with this smoked mackerel pasta recipe, you have the perfect main dish for lunch or dinner, and to enjoy all year round.

As the mackerel pasta recipe describes, you can grate some parmesan cheese on top of each plate or add some extra fresh chopped parsley.

We recommend having some fresh or toasted bread to have while serving the mackerel pasta recipe, so it is easier to enjoy.

How to Store Mackerel Pasta Recipe

What we love the most about making smoked mackerel pasta recipes (besides eating them) is that you can store it in the fridge or freezer, making it the best dish for meal-prep fans.

Once you finish making the mackerel pasta recipe you have to let it come to room temperature, place it in a covered container (with a lid or plastic wrap), and store it in the fridge for up to 4 days.

You can also store it in the freezer for up to 30 days, but in that case, we recommend adding a label with the date on top, so it doesn’t go to waste.

To reheat the thawed fish pasta you can do it in a microwave, on the stovetop, or in the oven until it’s heated through: You may need to add a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce.

Other hot or cold smoked mackerel recipes that you can prepare if you are planning on storing are the pan-fried mackerel recipe, the Spanish fried fish, and the grilled mackerel recipe.

Recipe Card: Mackerel Pasta Recipe

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