
Whenever we are in the mood for something quick and really good, this pasta is what we think of. It is about as simple as it gets, and once the pasta is cooked, dinner comes together in just a few minutes.
Over time, this recipe has become one of our staples, and it easily could be one of yours too. If you usually have anchovies, pasta, olive tapenade, garlic, and cheese in your pantry, you are never more than ten minutes away from a solid, satisfying meal.
Notes
We use the olive tapenade from Spread mmms, because its intense flavor works extremely well with pasta. It also has a little kick, which we really like and which adds extra depth to the dish.
When it comes to anchovies, it is very much a matter of personal preference. You can chop them coarsely or mash them completely. We are big fans of anchovies and do not mind larger pieces. The best ones for this dish are the flat, salted anchovies that are darker in color and often sold in small jars or tins.
For pasta, we find that spaghetti works best, as it distributes the cheese evenly throughout the dish, but other pasta shapes will work too.
As for cheese, most hard Italian cheeses are fine, but our top choices are Parmesan or Grana Padano.
If you feel like tweaking the flavors, you can add a teaspoon of lemon juice to the pasta and finish with a little finely grated lemon zest. A pinch of chili flakes is also great if you like a bit of heat.




































