Spaghetti alla Puttanesca (Tomato, Olive, Caper and Anchovy Pasta)
Local name: Spaghetti alla puttanesca
In short: Spaghetti in a bold sauce of tomatoes, black olives, capers, anchovies and garlic, with a pinch of chili. A salty, pantry-friendly Neapolitan classic. It takes about 30 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Total
- 30 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 560 kcal
Puttanesca is a quick, punchy sauce from the Naples area that relies on things most Italian kitchens already have: canned tomatoes, olives, capers, anchovies, garlic and chili. Everything goes into one pan and simmers for about fifteen minutes. The anchovies melt away and leave a deep savory note rather than a fishy taste. It is salty by nature, so taste before you season and be gentle with the salt in the pasta water.
Instructions
- Warm the oil in a large wide pan over medium-low heat. Add the garlic, anchovies and chili and stir for 2 minutes, pressing the anchovies with a spoon until they dissolve into the oil.
- Add the tomatoes and bring to a simmer. Cook for 12 to 15 minutes, stirring now and then, until the sauce thickens.
- Stir in the olives and capers and simmer for 3 minutes more. Taste before adding salt, since the anchovies, olives and capers are all salty. Season with pepper.
- Meanwhile, boil the spaghetti in lightly salted water until 1 minute short of al dente. Reserve a mug of pasta water, then drain.
- Add the pasta to the sauce with a splash of pasta water and toss over medium heat for 1 minute until coated.
- Scatter with the parsley and serve right away.
Tips
- If your capers are salt-packed, soak them in water for 10 minutes first. Capers in brine need only a quick rinse.
- Skip the anchovies for a vegetarian version, adding an extra tablespoon of capers and a splash of olive brine for salt.
Questions and answers
Is puttanesca spicy?
It has a mild kick from chili flakes. Use a pinch for gentle warmth, or half a teaspoon or more if you like it hot. Leave the chili out when serving children.
Can I make puttanesca sauce ahead?
Yes, it keeps for 4 days in the fridge and freezes for up to 3 months. The flavors blend and deepen overnight, so it is a good sauce to make in bulk.
What can I serve with puttanesca?
A green salad and crusty bread are all it needs. The sauce is also good spooned over baked cod or soft polenta, and it works with penne or linguine as well as spaghetti.
How long does it take to make Spaghetti alla Puttanesca (Tomato, Olive, Caper and Anchovy Pasta)?
About 30 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 20 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Spaghetti alla Puttanesca (Tomato, Olive, Caper and Anchovy Pasta)?
About 560 kcal per serving, with 17 g of protein, 82 g of carbohydrates and 18 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 560 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 17 g |
| Carbohydrates | 82 g |
| Fat | 18 g |
| Fiber | 6 g |
| Sugar | 8 g |
| Sodium | 1100 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
