Italian Puttanesca

Italian Puttanesca is a bold and comforting Italian classic made from pantry staples. Simple but flavorful ingredients in this puttanesca sauce recipe show why it's a timeless dish.

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What is Puttanesca?

Spaghetti alla puttanesca is a Napoli dish created sometime in the 20th century. It's made typically with tomatoes, olive oil, olives, anchovies, chili peppers, capers, and garlic, with vermicelli or spaghetti pasta.

You may be asking yourself; how is this different from any other Italian red sauce? The sauteed anchovy fillets really set this sauce apart with a deep umami flavor. The briny and saltiness that comes from the olives and capers add a depth to this pasta recipe not found in other classic red sauces.

If you're really not into bold umami flavors check out some other Italian red sauces like my 20-minute pink sauce, Nonna's classic red sauce, or an easy ground chicken bolognese.

🌟Why You'll Love this Recipe

Simple fresh ingredients. Made with the best quality ingredients and pantry staples.
30-minute recipe. This bold sauce is whipped up and ready to enjoy in just 30 minutes!

🥘Ingredients

Garlic cloves. You can't have a proper Italian classic without a garlicky base!
Anchovy paste. Anchovy paste is sauteed with the garlic which melds beautifully and adds a deep umami flavor. You can adjust the amount based on your flavor preference.
Red pepper flakes. The red pepper flakes or chili flakes add a hint of spiciness that balances well with the other sweet and salty ingredients.
Can of whole peeled San Marzano tomatoes. San Marzano tomatoes are known for their sweet and mild flavor.
Kalamata olives. Olives add brininess to the sauce. Buy already pitted olives for an even simpler preparation.
Capers. They contribute a tangy, slightly briny taste that adds depth and complexity to the sauce. If you are a fan of capers, try my green olive tapenade and chicken piccata pasta next!
Fresh herbs. Fresh basil and parsley are used to enhance the flavor of the sauce as well as add a balanced color to the bright red puttanesca sauce.

See the recipe card below for the remaining ingredients and quantities.

📖Substitutions & Variations

Anchovy paste. This dish can be made without anchovies but just know the flavor will be altered. You may have to adjust the other ingredients to balance out the flavors. You can also use 1-2 anchovies instead of anchovy paste.
Olives. Kalamata olives were originally used for this dish but black olives will work as well.
Red pepper flakes. Add more or less for the desired spice level.
Salt. The anchovies, caper and olives bring saltiness to the dish already. Feel free to omit adding extra salt if necessary.

🔪Instructions

Bring water to a boil in a large pot and cook spaghetti according to package instructions. Reserve some pasta water.

Step 1: Add olive oil to a large skillet over medium heat and sauté the garlic and anchovy paste for 1-2 minutes.

Step 2: Crush the tomatoes with your hands and add them to the pan with olives, capers and chili flakes. Stir to combine and allow the sauce to simmer for 15-20 minutes over medium-low heat. Add salt and black pepper to taste.

Parsley and spaghetti in a pan with sauce.

Step 3: Once the spaghetti is al dente, add it to the sauce. Toss the spaghetti to coat it evenly. Stir in fresh parsley and basil. To thin out the sauce add some of the reserved pasta water.

A pan filled with puttanesca sauce and spaghetti.

Step 4: Top with parmesan, if desired. Serve and enjoy!

💭Recipe FAQs

Do I have to use anchovies to make pasta puttanesca?

Anchovies are what set this sauce apart from other red sauces with its bold umami flavor. Anchovies are in a lot of common foods including Caesar dressing and Worcestershire sauce and provide these with distinct flavor.

If you have an allergy or are vegan, omit them. If you're just hesitant, adjust the measurement to 1 tablespoon to lessen the impact.

What does "Puttanesca" mean?

"Puttanesca" is an Italian term that roughly translates to "in the style of a prostitute" or "whore's style." The dish's origin is debated, but one popular theory is that it was named for its bold and flavorful ingredients, which could be quickly prepared by working women between clients.

Is puttanesca a spicy dish?

The level of spiciness in pasta puttanesca can vary depending on the amount of chili flakes used. Traditionally, it has a mildly spicy kick from the chili flakes, but you can adjust the heat level according to your preference by adding more or less chili flakes.

Can I make Puttanesca ahead of time?

Yes, pasta puttanesca sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat the sauce gently on the stovetop while your pasta cooks, and then toss them together just before serving.

👩🏻‍🍳Chef Tips

Use quality ingredients. Use high-quality ingredients for the best flavor. Look for ripe, flavorful tomatoes, briny olives, and good-quality capers and anchovy paste. Fresh garlic and chili flakes will also enhance the taste.
How to cook anchovies. The key is to saute anchovies or anchovy paste in oil until they dissolve which mellows their flavor and allows it to easily meld with the other ingredients.
Al dente pasta. Always cook pasta al dente especially for this dish in particular because the pasta will have a couple more minutes to cook in the skillet with the sauce!
Reserve pasta water. Keep a little reserve of your pasta water to adjust the thickness of your sauce.

🥗Serving

Serve Puttanesca Pasta as the main course with a side of warm crusty bread and a glass of dry red wine. You can serve it alongside a leafy green salad or simple grilled zucchini salad.

Sprinkle with fresh basil, parsley, extra red pepper flakes and some parmesan cheese.