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30-Minute Mediterranean Canned Mackerel Pasta

June 12, 2019

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This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy

This quick and easy canned mackerel pasta recipe is packed with heart-healthy fats, omega-3s, protein, and micronutrients! Delicious and ready in 30-minutes.

spaghetti with canned mackerel, red peppers, tomatoes, olives, and parsley on white plate with gold fork

I couldn’t even tell you the number of times I’ve devoured this Mediterranean Canned Mackerel Pasta in the last month – it’s so good!

Canned mackerel is a new staple in my pantry, and I’m so happy to have discovered it over the past few months. At first I was hesitant and not sure what to do with it, or how it would taste.

For some reason I thought mackerel would be really fishy, but it’s not at all! Canned mackerel that’s packed in olive oil is smooth, flavourful, and delicious.

So far, my favourite way to use canned mackerel is thrown into pasta. It’s so easy to just add the canned mackerel to a pan of sautéed veggies, mix in your fave pasta, and you’ve got a nutritionally-balanced meal in under 30 minutes.

This recipe has been my favourite flavour combination thus far, and I can’t wait to share it with you. It’s packed with nutritious ingredients like red peppers, tomatoes, olives, parsley, and olive oil – simple and delicious.

If you’ve never tried canned mackerel before, I hope this post gives you some inspiration to do so!

spaghetti with canned mackerel, red peppers, tomatoes, olives, and parsley on white plate

How To Make Canned Mackerel Pasta

To make this canned mackerel recipe, start by bringing a pot of water to a boil (for the pasta). While the water boils, mince the garlic cloves and chop the bell peppers, tomatoes, olives, and parsley.

Once the water has boiled, add the spaghetti and cook according to package directions.

Meanwhile, bring a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the canned mackerel to the pan, WITH the olive oil that it comes in. If you can’t find mackerel packed in olive oil, simply use some olive oil of your own here.

Sauté the minced garlic in the pan, along with the chopped bell peppers, tomatoes, and olives. Continue to cook for about 10 minutes, or until the veggies are tender.

Once the pasta is cooked, remove from heat and drain. Add the drained pasta to the pan and cook with the veggies/mackerel for about 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in the chopped parsley.

Serve this canned mackerel pasta with some freshly grated parmesan, a sprinkle of red chilli flakes, and/or a squeeze of lemon juice (as desired). Adjust salt and pepper as needed. Enjoy hot!

Storage & Reheating Notes

Leftovers of this canned mackerel recipe can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. It will reheat well in either the microwave or on the stovetop.

Possible Recipe Variations

Do note that this recipe can be easily adaptable to different dietary needs.

If you’re gluten-free, simply swap out regular spaghetti for a gluten-free alternative.

Dairy-free? Omit the sprinkle of parmesan on top and swap with nutritional yeast (or enjoy on it’s own).

two plates of spaghetti with canned mackerel, red peppers, tomatoes, olives, and parsley

Canned Mackerel Nutrition Benefits

Not only is canned mackerel flavourful, affordable, and convenient, it’s also jam-packed with nutrition!

Mackerel is an oily fish that is rich in heart-healthy unsaturated fatty acids, like omega-3s. In fact, mackerel has some of the highest omega-3 content of any fish.

Omega-3s play a crucial role in cardiovascular and neurological health, while also helping to lower inflammation throughout the body.

Mackerel is also a great source of complete protein and many micronutrients, including vitamins B12, B6, selenium, iron, and magnesium.

Nutrient-dense and delicious? Yes, please!

spaghetti with canned mackerel, red peppers, tomatoes, olives, and parsley in bowl with gold fork

More Easy Canned Seafood Recipe Ideas

  • 20-Minute Healthy Tuna Pasta Salad
  • Easy Canned Mackerel Pasta Salad
  • Healthy Canned Salmon Potato Salad
  • Canned Salmon Quinoa Burgers
  • No-Mayo, High Protein Tuna Salad

Did you give this Mediterranean Canned Mackerel Pasta a try? Let me know by leaving a comment and recipe rating below!

If you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram or Pinterest – seeing your creations always makes my day. You can also subscribe to my email list to never miss a new recipe or nutrition education post!

spaghetti with canned mackerel, red peppers, tomatoes, olives, and parsley on white plate with gold fork
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4.72 from 25 votes

30-Minute Mediterranean Canned Mackerel Pasta Recipe

This canned mackerel pasta is a flavourful and nutritious 30-minute weeknight dinner. It's also packed with heart-healthy fats, omega-3s, protein, and micronutrients!
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian, Mediterranean
Keyword fish, mackerel, pasta, pepper, seafood, tomato
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 2
Author Carrie Walder

Ingredients

  • Approx. 150 grams spaghetti (~4 ounces. Enough for 2 people)
  • Approx. 230 grams mackerel, in olive oil (~8 oz. including olive oil)
  • 1-2 cloves garlic
  • 1 large red bell pepper (or 2 medium-sized)
  • 2 large handfuls grape or cherry tomatoes (vine-ripened if possible)
  • Approx. 10 green olives, pitted
  • 1 handful parsley
  • Salt and pepper (to taste)
  • Optional toppings: freshly grated parmigianno regianno, crushed red chilli peppers, freshly squeezed lemon

Instructions

  • Heat a pot of water to boil (for pasta).
  • Mince garlic. Chop bell pepper, tomatoes, olives, and parsley. Set aside.
  • Once water has boiled, add spaghetti and cook according to package directions.
  • Heat a large pan over medium-high heat. Add cans of mackerel, WITH the olive oil that comes in the can. Add garlic and sauté for a couple minutes.
  • Next, add chopped bell peppers, tomatoes, and olives. Sauté for approx. 10 minutes until veggies are tender, adding salt and pepper for taste.
  • Once pasta is done, remove from heat and drain. Add drained pasta to the pan of veggies and cook for about 1 minute. Remove pan from heat and stir in chopped parsley.
  • Serve pasta and top with freshly grated parm, a sprinkle of red chilli flakes, and/or a squeeze of lemon. Adjust salt/pepper as needed. Enjoy hot!

Notes

*Omit parmesan topping to make dairy-free. Use gluten-free pastas for gluten-free version.
*Leftovers of this recipe can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop.
Did you make this recipe?Be sure to tag @walderwellness on Instagram. I love seeing your beautiful creations!

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This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy

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28 Comments
Filed Under: Bowls, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Mains, Recipes
Tagged With: bell peppers, fish & shellfish, parsley, pasta, tomatoes

Comments

  1. Vivian says

    June 12, 2019 at 8:07 pm

    What size are the cans of MACKEREl you’re using?

    Reply
    • Carrie Walder says

      June 16, 2019 at 11:57 am

      Hi Vivian,

      Great question! I used mackerel that was canned in olive oil (from a brand called Gold Seal). Cans were 115 g (4 oz.) including the olive oil (which I used in the recipe). Drained, the mackerel is only 80g (2.8 oz). Will update the recipe to reflect the size 🙂

      Reply
  2. Liane @ Foodie Digital says

    December 10, 2019 at 5:42 pm

    5 stars
    Simple, perfect and flavorful! Not overly fishy as you said. Such an easy weeknight meal. My husband asked for more which is always a good sign!

    Reply
    • Carrie Walder says

      December 10, 2019 at 6:33 pm

      Thanks so much Liane!! So happy you guys enjoyed it. I’ve made this pasta in a pinch multiple times and it’s one of my faves 🙂

      Reply
  3. Charles Brown says

    April 3, 2020 at 8:16 pm

    4 stars
    Very tasty end easy to prepare! I had fresh basil on hand so I added a few leaves during cooking and some more as garnish with the parmesan and a little lemon juice. Perfect shelter-in-place meal!

    Reply
    • Carrie Walder says

      April 4, 2020 at 9:04 am

      Thanks so much for sharing, Charles!! So happy to hear you enjoyed it. I’ve remade this during quarantine as well :). Take care!

      Reply
      • Valentina says

        September 20, 2020 at 9:36 am

        5 stars
        My husband and I went fishing a few weeks back and had a last portion of mackerel to cook before moving houses and I found this little gem.

        Absolutely wonderful! Very comforting and flavourful. I added some chilli flakes and it was beautiful.

        My husband had it with parmesan and I had it with lime, but it is amazing just by itself too. Very versatile! We’ll be repeating it for sure 🙂

      • Carrie Walder says

        September 22, 2020 at 9:28 am

        Hi Valentina,

        I’m so happy you found this recipe to use with your mackerel – that’s so awesome you caught it yourself!! So glad you enjoyed it and I love the additions you made. Thank you so much for sharing your experience :). Hope you have a safe move!

  4. Daniel says

    April 6, 2020 at 6:24 pm

    5 stars
    Super easy + quick. Can Sub any canned fish but the Mackerel really gives it more zest.

    Even the kids like it… and now they know what a Mackerel looks like. Education and nutrition lol.

    Reply
    • Carrie Walder says

      April 6, 2020 at 6:28 pm

      Thanks so much for sharing, Daniel! I’m so happy to hear you’ve been enjoying it. Great idea to use different canned fish, too!

      Reply
  5. YT says

    May 5, 2020 at 3:39 pm

    5 stars
    This was so delicious and easy to make! The whole family including a 6 year old loved it. I didn’t have green olives so I opened a can of black ones and sprinkled them with lemon juice before cooking. I also used a rotini type pasta. Got a 6 pack of Canned mackerel at Costco (Season brand) and used 3 (approx 4 oz each) cans for this. Thank you for a great and healthy recipe!

    Reply
    • Carrie Walder says

      May 6, 2020 at 9:50 am

      Hi YT! Aw thank you so much for this kind comment!! So happy to hear you and the whole family enjoyed it – love when healthy recipes are kid approved :). Thanks for sharing your experience!!

      Reply
  6. JanP says

    May 8, 2020 at 11:30 am

    5 stars
    Thank you for this great recipe! I made it and my 18 yr old grandson had 2 helpings! We really enjoyed this tasty and wholesome dish!

    Reply
    • Carrie Walder says

      May 8, 2020 at 11:43 am

      Hi Jan!

      I’m so happy to hear both you and your grandson loved it!! It’s always so nice to hear when a recipe is popular with the whole family. Thank you so much for sharing and for the kind words 🙂

      Reply
  7. Theresa Galarza says

    June 1, 2020 at 3:29 am

    Oh” Thank you so much for this recipe. THANK you

    Reply
    • Carrie Walder says

      June 3, 2020 at 10:19 am

      You are so welcome, Theresa! I. hope you enjoyed it 🙂

      Reply
  8. Sally says

    August 13, 2020 at 9:58 am

    5 stars
    Absolutely delicious! We are trying to add more fish to our diet and this may become a weekly staple. We like hot and spicy, so I added some of my fresh grown dried oregano, basil, and pepper flakes to the saute. Also threw in some chopped swiss chard, just for fun and health. Didn’t have cherry tomatoes, but used chunked fresh garden tomatoes. I only had a large can of mackeral packed in water, so I just added olive oil to the pan. Topped off with parmesean and lemon juice. It was amazing, flavorful, and not fishy at all!

    Reply
    • Carrie Walder says

      August 13, 2020 at 12:11 pm

      Hi Sally! Ah thank you so much for the kind comment – I’m so happy you enjoyed this recipe and I LOVE all those yummy additions you made!!

      If you’re looking for more easy fish recipes, I’ve got a bunch more here: https://www.walderwellness.com/recipes/?fwp_topics=fish – I’d love to know if you end up trying another!!

      Reply
      • Lenka Lebsir Sykorova says

        January 7, 2021 at 1:58 pm

        5 stars
        I also recently decided to change the way I eat and wanted to add more fish into diet.I do not enjoy salmon,so was looking for alternative..This is exactly what I was looking for!!! NOT too fishy, not too salty, nutricious and well balanced, cheap and quick!! 5 stars meal.

      • Carrie Walder says

        January 8, 2021 at 8:19 am

        Hi Lenka! Thank you so much for your kind comment!! I’m so happy to hear that this was the kind of meal you were looking for. I think it’s awesome you’re looking to add more fish into your diet. I’d love to know if you end up trying any of my other seafood recipes, too! There’s a bunch there that aren’t salmon 🙂

        Wishing you a wonderful start to the new year!

  9. Amanda says

    August 17, 2020 at 10:10 am

    5 stars
    One word. Yummy !

    Reply
    • Carrie Walder says

      August 18, 2020 at 11:30 am

      Thanks Amanda!! So happy to hear that!!

      Reply
  10. Fran Clark says

    September 8, 2020 at 8:42 am

    5 stars
    What a super supper, could make it to order for the pair of us, with hot chillies for him and mild chillies for me, delicious

    Reply
    • Carrie Walder says

      September 8, 2020 at 9:26 am

      Hi Fran! I’m so happy you both enjoyed this recipe!! Love that you were able to modify to your desired spiciness, too. Thanks so much for sharing your experience 🙂

      Reply
  11. Rich says

    October 12, 2020 at 10:47 am

    5 stars
    Great recipe – it’s become a regular in our house. We always add a generous splash of Balsamic Vinegar at the end too.

    Reply
    • Carrie Walder says

      October 13, 2020 at 9:38 am

      Hi Rich! Amazing – I’m so happy to hear it’s a regular recipe for you! A splash of balsamic sounds so good – I’ll have to try that next time. Thanks so much for sharing 🙂

      Reply
  12. Dev says

    November 21, 2020 at 4:01 am

    5 stars
    I’m a huge fan of Mediterranean cuisine and wow, this recipe is soo tasty, healthy and quick. Thank you so much!!! 5 stars!

    Reply
    • Carrie Walder says

      November 21, 2020 at 10:25 am

      Hi Dev! Amazing I’m so happy to hear you enjoyed this one!! Mediterranean is my favourite cuisine too! Thanks so much for sharing your experience 🙂

      Reply

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About Me

Hi, I’m Carrie Walder, MS, RD! I’m a Registered Dietitian in both Canada and the United States. Here, and on my Instagram (@walderwellness), I share ways to add more whole foods into your everyday life in a simple, realistic, and nutritionally balanced way. Thanks so much for stopping by!

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