Anchovy Tomato Pasta: A Simple, Cheeky Elegance

Anchovy Tomato Pasta: A Simple, Cheeky Elegance

At Petits Trésors, we adore a recipe that’s equal parts simple and sophisticated. Our Anchovy Tomato Pasta is exactly that – a quick mid-week dish with boutique-style charm, brimming with Aussie warmth and a dash of daring. It’s the kind of pasta that food enthusiasts rave about for its deep, comforting flavour, yet it’s unfussy enough to whip up after work. And for café owners looking to impress patrons? This humble hero could easily become the star of your specials board, proving that weeknight-friendly can also be guest-worthy.

The Secret Ingredient: Anchovy Magic 🐟✨

Let’s talk about the little secret hiding in this sauce – anchovies! Don’t let those tiny fish fillets scare you; they’re the magic behind the scenes. When sautéed in olive oil, anchovies melt away into the sauce, leaving behind a savoury backbone of flavour (and zero “fishy” bits)​u

Weeknight-Friendly and Guest-Worthy

One of the best things about this Anchovy-Boosted Tomato Pasta is how it effortlessly swings from casual to classy. Running late on a Tuesday? No worries – with just a handful of pantry staples, you can have this dish on the table in around 30 minutes. Anchovies, garlic, tomatoes, and good olive oil are all it takes to create a sauce that tastes like it’s been simmering for hours. (It’s no wonder classics like puttanesca rely on anchovies and other pantry heroes to deliver big flavour in a flash​u

Now, here’s the fun part: this same pasta is also elegant enough for company. Planning a dinner with friends or a special café brunch feature? The rich umami and velvety tomato sauce make each bite feel indulgent, as if you’ve lovingly laboured over a hot stove (only you’ll know you didn’t!). Plate it up with a sprinkle of fresh herbs and a shaving of parmesan, and you’ve got a dish that looks restaurant-worthy. Your guests (or customers) will be none the wiser that it was so easy – they’ll just be asking for seconds. It’s comfort food with a couture twist: hearty and familiar, yet refined in its balanced flavours and presentation. 🍝✨

(We’ve even caught ourselves doing a happy little dance in the kitchen after a bite of this pasta. Think of it as channeling our inner Mat Preston – cravat, cheeky grin and all – exclaiming how “disgustingly delicious” a simple pasta can be, possibly blaming the third espresso for our exuberance!)

Little Upgrades, Big Flavours Petits Trésors-Style

What makes this recipe truly shine is the quality of ingredients – a philosophy at the heart of Petits Trésors. The dish is wonderful with basic pantry items, but upgrading a few key ingredients will elevate it to the next level of yum (and align with our passion for Australian-made quality and artisan products). Here are a few petits trésors (little treasures) you can use for a flavor boost:

• DOP San Marzano Tomatoes: For the tomato sauce, using DOP-certified San Marzano canned tomatoes is a game-changer. These Italian beauties have thick, sweet flesh with fewer seeds and low acidity, which means a more balanced, naturally sweet sauce​

  Premium Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: A good cold-pressed EVOO adds a silky finish and depth. We love drizzling a bit of premium Australian olive oil (like the ones from Pukara Estate) over the pasta just before serving – it’s crafted with passion and quality to transform an everyday meal into a gourmet experience​

• That little glossy drizzle on top gives an inviting sheen and a fruity aroma that says “fancy” with minimal effort.
• Fresh Herbs: Never underestimate the power of fresh herbs for instant elegance. Toss in a handful of torn basil or flat-leaf parsley at the end. The pop of green not only makes the dish look gorgeous, but the herbal aroma complements the tomatoes and anchovies perfectly. It’s like dressing your pasta in a little black dress – simple, classy, and timeless.

• Artisan Pasta & Cheese: If you can, use high-quality dried pasta (or fresh if you have it) – bronze-cut varieties hold the sauce better. And when serving, a grating of authentic Parmigiano Reggiano or a locally made aged cheese adds a salty-savory finish that ties everything together. A sprinkle of chili flakes or toasted breadcrumbs on top can also add that café-style flourish (completely optional, but highly encouraged for extra crunch and kick).

With these thoughtful touches, our Anchovy-Boosted Tomato Pasta transforms from a reliable weeknight supper to a dinner-party showstopper. Each upgrade is a nod to the Petits Trésors way: celebrating quality ingredients and those special little details that make a meal truly memorable.

Inviting, flavourful, and just a tad cheeky, this pasta embodies what Petits Trésors is all about – warmth, quality, and a passion for turning simple food into something extraordinary. Give it a try and watch the magic unfold in your kitchen. Who knew a humble tin of anchovies could hold the key to both a quick Tuesday dinner and a rave-worthy weekend feast? 😉

Bon appétit, and remember: in the words of a well-caffeinated Aussie food critic, this pasta is so good it might just make you giddy – or maybe that’s just the espresso talking. Either way, get ready to twirl your fork and fall in love with this delicious little treasure of a dish! ❤️🍴