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Spaghetti alla Puttanesca
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Spaghetti alla Puttanesca

Recipes »  Main Dish  »  Pasta

Spaghetti alla Puttanesca is an absolutely delicious classic Italian dish made with tomatoes, olives, capers, anchovies, garlic, and chili flakes. Its name translates as "Pasta in the way a whore would make it". The reason for the dish having such a name is debated. Some say it refers to the spicy, pungent aroma produced by its ingredients that enticed passing customers; others claim realistically that this out-of-the-larder dish was the quickest meal prostitutes could prepare between customers. Today people cook it because it has a remarkable flavor, is quick and easy to prepare, and is made of ingredients easily kept on hand. Assuming you have the staples on hand, including brine-cured black olives, anchovies, and capers, this colorful and spicy dish can be put together in less than an hour.

"Delicious! I added 2 cans of tuna in water because that is the way my mom makes it! Definitely my favorite pasta sauce ever!!! Reminds me of summer time at lake Garda! (I grew up in Italy, in lombardia) " - Audreyjones25

Yield: 4 Servings Ready in 45 minutes

Cuisine: ItalianMain Ingredient: Pasta

(4.8, 5) 100% would make again (reviews)

Favorite favorite of 436 people 240 people Try Soon want to try


Verified by stevemur

Servings          
Original recipe makes 4 Servings
3/4 cupOlive oil; olive oil
1 cupOnion; finely diced
3 large clovesGarlic; peeled and minced
6 Anchovy fillets; chopped
1/4 cupDry white wine; or vermouth
4 cupsSan Marzano Italian plum tomatoes with juice; hand-crushed
1 cupGaeta olives; pitted and sliced (or other brine-cured black olives)
2 tablespoonsSalt-packed capers; well rinsed
1/2 teaspoonDried red pepper flakes; to taste
Salt and fresh ground black pepper; to taste
1 poundSpaghetti
10 Fresh basil leaves; torn
1 pinchDried Oregano
2 tablespoonsItalian parsley; (flat-leaf), chopped

Spaghetti alla Puttanesca Preparation

Place oil, onion, and garlic in a large saute pan over medium-low heat. Saute for about 5 minutes or until onions are translucent but not brown. Stir in anchovies and saute until anchovies have dissolved into the oil.

Raise heat to high, add wine and bring to a boil. Stir in tomatoes, olives, capers, and, if using, red pepper flakes, and return to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, and simmer for 10 minutes more.

Meanwhile, cook spaghetti in a large, deep pot in rapidly boiling salted water until al dente.

Just before serving, stir basil and oregano into the sauce.

Drain spaghetti. Return drained spaghetti to pot. Over medium-high heat, stir in about 1/2 cup sauce. Using a wooden spoon, toss together for 1 minute. Remove from heat and pour into a large warmed serving platter or bowl. Spoon remaining sauce over the top. Sprinkle with parsley and serve.

Makes 4 servings as a main course, or 6 servings as a pasta course.

Notes

This dish is also great when served with penne or fusilli.

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Calories Per Serving: 898
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Spaghetti alla Puttanesca Reviews

Give it a rating Would you make it again?   [please sign in to add your comment]
Really got an excellent response from my crew
4 months, 1 days, 2 hours, 22 minutes ago
I made this dish for years when my kids were young.Dont let the anchovies scare you away .They cannot be detected after they are coked in this wonderful sauce.They leave a perfect salty flavor .Mt Y dad who hates fish loved this dish Give it a try you will not be sorry.I make it only with spaghetti
6 months, 2 weeks, 1 days, 1 hours, 8 minutes ago
Delicious! I added 2 cans of tuna in water because that is the way my mom makes it! Definitely my favorite pasta sauce ever!!! Reminds me of summer time at lake Garda! (I grew up in Italy, in lombardia)
6 months, 2 weeks, 4 days, 8 hours, 6 minutes ago
The most flavorful Puttanesca I have every made. I have used regular black olives in the past but I used callamata vinegar brine olives and it made all the difference!!!
2 years, 10 months, 1 weeks, 3 days, 13 hours, 18 minutes ago
This dish is also great when served with penne or fusilli.
[I posted this recipe.]
5 years, 3 months, 2 weeks, 2 days, 22 hours, 57 minutes ago

Tags

  1. best pasta
  2. Salty
  3. Winter
  4. Dinner
  5. red pepper flakes
  6. Italian
  7. Pasta
  8. Main Dish
  9. Side Dish
  10. Boil
  11. parsley
  12. oregano
  13. basil
  14. Spaghetti
  15. capers
  16. olives
  17. tomatoes
  18. vermouth
  19. white wine
  20. wine
  21. alcohol
  22. anchovy
  23. garlic
  24. onion
  25. olive oil
  26. Easy
  27. Quick
  28. Saute

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