Pasta Puttanesca

A classic Italian pasta dish featuring a bold, savory sauce made with tomatoes, Kalamata olives, capers, and anchovy paste. This aromatic and spicy recipe combines perfectly with al dente spaghetti for a satisfying meal.

4 servings
24 min

Ingredients

  • 1 pound dried spaghetti, spaghettini, or linguine fini
  • 5 cloves garlic cloves
  • 2 teaspoons anchovy paste
  • ½ teaspoon hot red-pepper flakes
  • cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 can whole tomatoes in juice
  • ½ cup pitted Kalamata olives
  • 2 tablespoons drained capers
  • 1 pinch sugar
  • ¾ cup coarsely chopped basil

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Cook spaghetti in a pasta pot of boiling salted water (2 1/2 Tbsp salt for 6 qt water) until barely al dente.

    10 min

  2. 2.

    While pasta boils, cook garlic, anchovy paste, red-pepper flakes, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp pepper in oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until fragrant and pale golden, about 2 minutes.

    2 min

  3. 3.

    Meanwhile, purée tomatoes with juice in a blender.

    2 min

  4. 4.

    Add tomato purée to garlic oil along with olives and capers and simmer, stirring occasionally, until pasta is ready. Stir in sugar if desired.

    8 min

  5. 5.

    Drain pasta and add to sauce. Simmer, turning pasta with tongs, until pasta is al dente, about 2 minutes. Sprinkle with basil.

    2 min

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