Description
A classic Italian pasta puttanesca recipe featuring a flavorful sauce made with olives, capers, anchovies, and tomatoes, tossed with spaghetti or linguine for a quick and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces spaghetti or linguine
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 5 anchovy fillets, chopped
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup pitted Kalamata olives, sliced
- 2 tablespoons capers, drained
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Finishing
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- Grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta.
- Prepare Sauce Base: While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, and anchovies. Sauté for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring often, until fragrant and the anchovies have melted into the oil.
- Add Sauce Ingredients: Stir in crushed tomatoes, sliced Kalamata olives, capers, dried oregano, and a pinch of salt and black pepper. Simmer the sauce for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to develop flavors.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss well to coat with the sauce. Add reserved pasta water a little at a time if needed to loosen the sauce. Cook for 1 to 2 more minutes to let flavors meld.
- Finish and Serve: Remove from heat and stir in fresh chopped parsley. Serve hot with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- Anchovies add traditional umami flavor without tasting fishy, but they can be reduced or omitted based on preference.
- Use whole canned tomatoes and crush them by hand if you prefer a chunkier texture in the sauce.
- This dish is quick to prepare, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 960 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 13 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
