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Spaghetti with Anchovies, Olives, and Toasted Bread Crumbs

This Mediterranean-inspired spaghetti with anchovies, olives, and toasted bread crumbs is a masterclass in store-cupboard cooking. The recipe combines savoury anchovies that melt into a rich base, sweet roasted peppers, and briny green olives for a balanced, vibrant flavour profile. Topped with crisp, golden breadcrumbs, it offers a satisfying contrast in textures that elevates simple dried pasta into a restaurant-quality meal.

As a sophisticated dairy-free dish, this pasta is ideal for effortless entertaining or a quick midweek supper. The combination of white wine and fresh parsley provides a bright, clean finish that cuts through the richness of the olive oil. Serve it in large warmed bowls, allowing guests to add extra toasted crumbs for that essential homemade crunch.

Continue reading below

Ingredients for Spaghetti with Anchovies, Olives, and Toasted Bread Crumbs

  • 450g dried spaghetti or linguine

  • 3 slices firm white sandwich bread

  • 1 onion

  • 3 large garlic cloves

  • 8 to 10 bottled or canned flat anchovy fillets

  • a 350g jar roasted red peppers

  • a 2 1/110g jar pitted green olives (about 180ml )

  • 90ml olive oil

  • 240ml dry white wine

  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh flat-leafed parsley leaves

How to make Spaghetti with Anchovies, Olives, and Toasted Bread Crumbs

Fill a 6-quart pasta pot three fourths full with salted water and bring to a boil for pasta.

Tear bread into pieces and in a blender or food processor pulse to make coarse crumbs. Finely chop onion. Mince garlic. Rinse anchovies and pat dry. In a sieve rinse and drain peppers and olives. Cut peppers into 1‚-inch-long strips and quarter olives.

In a deep 12-inch heavy skillet heat 2 tablespoons oil over moderate heat until hot but not smoking and stir in bread crumbs. Toast bread crumbs, stirring constantly, until golden and crisp, about 2 minutes, and transfer to a plate to cool. Wipe skillet clean.

In skillet heat remaining 60ml oil over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking and cook onion, stirring, until golden brown on edges. Remove skillet from heat and add garlic and anchovies. Cook mixture over moderately low heat, stirring until fillets are dissolved, about 2 minutes. Carefully pour wine down side of skillet and simmer, stirring occasionally, until liquid is reduced to about 2 tablespoons . Remove skillet from heat and stir in peppers, olives, and 1/4 cup parsley.

Cook pasta in boiling water, stirring occasionally, until al dente and ladle out and reserve 240ml pasta water. Drain pasta in a colander and add to sauce with 120ml reserved pasta water and salt and pepper to taste. Heat mixture over low heat, gently tossing (and adding more pasta water as needed if mixture becomes dry), until just heated through. Sprinkle pasta with remaining 1/4 cup parsley and some bread crumbs and serve remaining bread crumbs on the side.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.

Article history

The information on this page is peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.

  • 17 Jan 2026 | Originally published

    Authored by:

    UK recipe editors

    Peer reviewed by

    UK recipe editors
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