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Puttanesca Pasta Recipe
5 from 33 votes

Puttanesca Pasta Recipe

This Puttanesca Pasta combines anchovies, kalamata olives, capers, and crushed tomatoes to create a savory, slightly spicy sauce with bright herbaceous notes. The anchovies melt into the olive oil base, adding depth without overwhelming saltiness. The sauce is simmered to meld the flavors and served tossed with cooked pasta for a satisfying texture contrast. It's a flavorful pasta dish that balances briny, spicy, and tomato elements, ideal for a meal with bold yet approachable tastes.

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
35 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course, Dinner
Cuisine: Mediterranean, Italian

Ingredients

  • 1 pound (454g) dried pasta
  • 1/4 cup (57ml) extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 cup yellow onion diced
  • 8 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 ounce tin anchovy fillets drained, flat, in olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon oregano dried
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes more or less, to taste, crushed
  • 1/2 cup kalamata olives roughly chopped, pitted
  • 3 tablespoons capers drained
  • 1 ounce can crushed tomatoes with basil
  • 1/2 cup white wine dry
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 Tablespoons flat-leaf parsley chopped
  • 1/2 cup basil chopped, loosely packed fresh
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt more if needed

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Warm the oil in a large saucepan over medium-heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 6 minutes. Add in the garlic, anchovies, oregano, and crushed pepper to skillet and saute the mixture until the anchovies have dissolved entirely and the garlic is slightly golden, about 2 minutes.
  2. Add olives, capers, tomatoes, white wine, black pepper, and parsley. Bring sauce to a boil, then reduce heat, and allow to simmer for about 20 minutes. Toss in the basil and salt and cook for another 5 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. 
  3. While the sauce simmers, cook your pasta. 
  4. Bring a large pot of water to a rapid boil, add a dash of salt then add in the pasta and cook according to package instructions. 
  5. When the pasta is finished cooking, drain well then add it to the sauce and toss to combine.
  6. Plate and top with cheese, if desired.