Authentic Pasta Puttanesca Recipe (2024)

5 from 79 votes

Jump to Recipe

When it comes to classic Italian pasta recipes, Pasta Puttanesca was one of the most requested pasta sauces I made during my career as a chef.

The simplicity of the recipe creates a complex flavor profile that helps you understand how this timeless classic has become a staple in Italian households around the world.

Authentic Pasta Puttanesca Recipe (1)

Table of Contents:

What is Pasta Puttanesca?

Pasta Puttanesca is a spicy tomato-based classic Italian dish that can be made easily with pantry staples. Canned tomatoes, capers, anchovies, olives. garlic and spices, create a bright flavorful sauce that will take your taste buds on a culinary adventure!

Why is it called Pasta Puttanesca?

If you’ve never heard of Pasta Puttanesca, (aka spaghetti alla puttanesca) its humble beginnings are linked to the prostitutes of Italy during world war II. Puttanesca roughly translates to “lady of the night” which offers credence to this story, but others point to a different reason, how this pungent, aromatic sauce got its name.

Authentic Pasta Puttanesca Recipe (2)

But no matter how the name came about, it’s a delicious quick dinner that can be on your dinner table faster than ordering takeout.

One of my other favorite classic pasta recipes is Cacio e Pepe.

What ingredients are in Pasta Puttanesca?

Authentic Pasta Puttanesca Recipe (3)

Let’s start by gathering the ingredients we need to make my recipe. In Chef Speak, this is called the Mise en Place, which translates into Everything in its Place.

Not only does setting your ingredients up ahead of time speed the cooking process, but it also helps ensure you have everything you need to make the dish.

Do I have to use anchovies to make pasta puttanesca?

Well, it’s kind of what makes the pasta sauce what it is. But that being said, if you have an aversion to anchovies, don’t use them. My simple rule is to cook with what you like to eat. After all, this is your dinner, so adapt the pasta recipe to your tastes.

Can I add green olives to this dish?

Of course, you can. Traditionally it’s made with Kalamata olives (even though their origin is Greek), but any dry-cured or brined black olive will work.

How do I make pasta puttanesca?

Authentic Pasta Puttanesca Recipe (4)

Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the chopped garlic, anchovy paste and chili flakes to the pan. Saute for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly.

Authentic Pasta Puttanesca Recipe (5)

Crush the tomatoes by hand then add them to the pan along with the salt and black pepper. Cook for 8-10 minutes over medium heat, stirring occasionally.

Authentic Pasta Puttanesca Recipe (6)

After allowing the sauce to cook, add the tomato paste, olives and capers to the pan. Turn the heat down and let the sauce simmer for 10 minutes.

While the sauce is simmering, cook the pasta al dente in salted boiling water according to package directions.

Authentic Pasta Puttanesca Recipe (7)

Remove the sauce from the heat and stir in the basil, parsley and lemon zest. Season again with salt and pepper to taste as needed.

Authentic Pasta Puttanesca Recipe (8)

The finished pasta sauce is a thing of beauty. Typically this sauce is cooked fairly quickly, but feel free to allow it to simmer for up to an hour. It will make the sauce even more flavorful.

Another quick and easy weeknight pasta dish is my Pasta Aglio Olio with Broccoli Rabe.

Chef Dennis Tip:

*If the sauce starts to get too thick, add a little of the pasta water to the sauce.

Authentic Pasta Puttanesca Recipe (9)

Drain the pasta and toss with the sauce. Garnish the dish with chopped parsley, lemon zest and chili flakes.

Spaghetti alla Puttanesca has always been one of my favorite pasta recipes. Wouldn’t it make a delicious weeknight dinner?

Recipe FAQ’s:

What ingredients go into a puttanesca sauce?

The star of a puttanesca sauce is the anchovies, that’s what adds the distinct flavor to the sauce. Canned tomatoes, capers, olives and garlic are the other pantry staples used to make this pasta recipe.

What does puttanesca sauce taste like?

Although the sauce contains anchovies, it doesn’t have a fishy taste. The anchovies have been brined in salt for months which gives the dish a savory flavor, with a touch of sweetness and spice from the other ingredients.

What does puttanesca translate to in English?

The literal translation is “in the style of the whor*”. Puttanesca is derived from the word Puttana, which means whor* in Italian.

More Pasta Recipes You’ll Love!

  • Spaghetti D’Angelo Roma Recipe
  • Vegetarian Pasta in Tomato Sauce
  • Easy Fettuccine Alfredo
  • Easy Arrabbiata Sauce with Penne Pasta

Did you make this? Please RATE THE RECIPE below!

Please SUBSCRIBE and FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST!

Authentic Pasta Puttanesca Recipe (14)

Print Recipe Save

5 from 79 votes

Pasta Puttanesca

Bursting with flavors, this classic Italian pasta dish is sure to be a hit on your family's dinner table. Quicker than take-out and incredibly delicious!

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time25 minutes mins

Total Time35 minutes mins

Course: Entree

Cuisine: Italian

Servings: 2

Calories: 1032kcal

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces spaghetti or your favorite pasta
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 2 – 3 teaspoons anchovy paste more or less depending upon your taste
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes or more to taste
  • 28 ounce San Marzano whole tomatoes crushed by hand
  • sea salt and black pepper to taste
  • ½ cup kalamata olives pitted and halved
  • 2 tablespoons capers
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped
  • 2 teaspoons fresh basil chopped
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest

US CustomaryMetric

Instructions

  • Heat the oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the chopped garlic, anchovy paste and red pepper flakes to the pan. Saute for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly.

  • Crush the tomatoes by hand then add them to the pan along with the salt and black pepper. Cook for 8-10 minutes over medium heat, stirring occasionally.

  • After allowing the sauce to cook, add the tomato paste, olives and capers to the pan.

  • While the sauce is simmering, cook the pasta in salted boiling water according to package directions.

  • Remove from heat and stir in the basil, parsley and lemon zest. Season again with salt and pepper to taste as needed.

  • Drain the pasta and toss with the sauce. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve.

Notes

**When cooking pasta, reserve some of the water to thin out the puttanesca if needed before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 1032kcal | Carbohydrates: 147g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 37g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 24g | Cholesterol: 13mg | Sodium: 1944mg | Potassium: 1336mg | Fiber: 11g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 985IU | Vitamin C: 44mg | Calcium: 228mg | Iron: 8mg

Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @askChefDennis or tag #askChefDennis!

Authentic Pasta Puttanesca Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What are the ingredients in a puttanesca sauce? ›

Puttanesca sauce is a sweetly simple sauce made from a delicious combination of tomatoes, black olives, capers, anchovies, onions, garlic, and Italian herbs. The recipe is easy to make, not requiring too much cooking time while still developing a spicy and fragrant taste.

What is the literal translation of puttanesca? ›

Puttanesca translates as “in the style of the whor*.” The name derives from the Italian word puttana which means whor*. Puttana in turn arises from the Latin word putida which means stinking. Now I'll bet your wondering how this tasty dish became associated with such sordid content.

What can you use instead of anchovies in pasta puttanesca? ›

What Can I Use Instead Of Anchovy In Puttanesca? There really is no perfect substitute for the anchovies in Puttanesca sauce, but you can use miso paste, fish sauce or even just a little extra salt. Some say seaweed makes for an excellent vegan substitute.

What is puttanesca mix? ›

Puttanesca is also known for the bold herbs used to make the dish. This blend contains classic Italian herbs like parsley, garlic, black olives and dried tomatoes. It also has a bit of chilli in it just to tickle the taste buds!

What does puttanesca sauce taste like? ›

This quick southern Italian sauce is a pungent, briny collaboration of anchovies, olives, and capers within a chunky tomato base.

Is puttanesca good for you? ›

Pasta Puttanesca is packed with tomato nutrition

Fresh and canned tomatoes improve health by reducing the risk of heart disease and cancer. Tomatoes are high in potassium which helps blunt the effect of sodium on blood pressure. So tomatoes lead to healthier blood pressure.

What if puttanesca is too salty? ›

If you find there's too much salt, add in a scoop of tap water to reduce the salt. Stir and gently cook to make the sauce glossy and slightly loose – but not watery.

What country is puttanesca from? ›

Spaghetti alla puttanesca (Italian: [spaˈɡetti alla puttaˈneska]) is an Italian pasta dish invented in Naples in the mid-20th century and made typically with tomatoes, olive oil, olives, anchovies, chili peppers, capers, and garlic, with vermicelli or spaghetti.

What's the difference between pasta arrabiata and pasta puttanesca? ›

Like puttanesca sauce, arrabbiata sauce is tomato-based and typically includes garlic, olive oil, and red chili flakes. However, arrabbiata sauce does not contain anchovies, capers, or olives, which are distinctive ingredients of puttanesca sauce.

Can I use Worcestershire sauce instead of anchovies? ›

4. Worcestershire Sauce. Worcestershire Sauce actually contains anchovies so will give you some of the umami complexity but has the limitation of being a liquid. It also tends to be sweeter so you may need more to get a similar result.

How many capers to replace anchovies? ›

You could replace the anchovies with an extra tablespoon of drained capers, and this would be the easiest option as capers are in the recipe already. You could also add 6-8 pitted black olives as an alternative, though use the cured type that are vacuum packed rather than the olives sold in brine.

Can you substitute sardines for anchovies in pasta puttanesca? ›

This Sardine Puttanesca recipe from the authors of Rustle Up, Rhiannon Batten and Laura Rowe, is a twist on the classic umami-flavoured Italian dish of puttanesca, and uses sardines in place of anchovies, and fusilli in place of spaghetti, for a meatier bite.

How long does puttanesca sauce last in the fridge? ›

Once you've put it out, ideally you should eat it within 4 hours. If you allow any leftovers to cool, make sure to refrigerate in a container with a lid and chill. You can keep leftovers of Spaghetti alla Puttanesca in the fridge for approximately 3 days or so.

What sauce has anchovies? ›

One of my favorite Provençale sauces is called Anchoïade. It is an anchovy sauce that marries perfectly well with everything from raw vegetables, fish to grilled meats. It is the perfect way to start a Provencale themed meal smeared on tartines and served as an amuse with a glass of rose.

What is the difference between arrabiata and puttanesca? ›

However, arrabbiata sauce does not contain anchovies, capers, or olives, which are distinctive ingredients of puttanesca sauce. The absence of these ingredients gives arrabbiata sauce a slightly different flavor profile, although it still maintains a spicy and robust taste.

What does spaghetti alla puttanesca taste like? ›

Spaghetti alla Puttanesca tastes like the most bold and intense tomato sauce you've ever tried. In addition two two kinds of tomatoes (paste and peeled whole canned), there are capers, anchovies, olives, and peppers going on as well. It is briny and acidic, garlicky and so very flavorful.

What sauces contain anchovies? ›

These foods may contain anchovies: Worcestershire sauce. Barbecue sauces made with Worcestershire.

What is Italian pasta sauce made of? ›

Sit tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, wine, tomato paste, chicken bouillon granules, basil, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper with the onion mixture. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce heat to low, and cook at a simmer, stirring frequently, for 1 hour.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Eusebia Nader

Last Updated:

Views: 6287

Rating: 5 / 5 (80 voted)

Reviews: 95% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Eusebia Nader

Birthday: 1994-11-11

Address: Apt. 721 977 Ebert Meadows, Jereville, GA 73618-6603

Phone: +2316203969400

Job: International Farming Consultant

Hobby: Reading, Photography, Shooting, Singing, Magic, Kayaking, Mushroom hunting

Introduction: My name is Eusebia Nader, I am a encouraging, brainy, lively, nice, famous, healthy, clever person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.