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Pasta Puttanesca

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Pasta Puttanesca is a quick and flavorful Italian pasta recipe made with bold, briny pantry staples like olives, capers, anchovies, and tomatoes. This easy weeknight dinner comes together in just 25 minutes and delivers restaurant-quality flavor every time. Perfect for lovers of spicy, savory pasta dishes!

Ingredients

  • Spaghetti or linguine
  • Olive oil
  • Garlic, minced
  • Anchovy fillets (optional but recommended)
  • Red pepper flakes
  • Canned crushed tomatoes
  • Kalamata or black olives, sliced
  • Capers
  • Fresh parsley (optional)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook pasta until al dente. Reserve some pasta water before draining.
  2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté garlic, anchovies (if using), and red pepper flakes until fragrant, about 1–2 minutes.
  3. Stir in crushed tomatoes, sliced olives, and capers. Simmer the sauce for 10–15 minutes.
  4. Add cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to combine, using reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed.
  5. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

  • For a vegetarian version, omit the anchovies.
  • Add tuna or shrimp for a heartier dish.
  • Whole-wheat pasta works great for added fiber.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat with a splash of water in a skillet.
  • Adjust red pepper flakes to control the spice level.

Nutrition