Skip to Content
Advertisement
Recipes

Pasta Puttanesca

3:49 PM EST on March 3, 2023

pasta dish on white ceramic plate

Whatever the theory about the origins of Pasta Puttanesca, and how the aroma conjured from the brothels of Naples lured in Giovannis, we at Appetito lust in the here and now for this dish because it's pantry-accessible with simple ingredients and vibrant flavors.

Pasta Puttanesca

Pasta Puttanesca

Recipe by andrewappetito
0.0 from 0 votes
Course: Recipes
Servings

4

servings
Prep time

10

minutes
Cooking time

25

minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 lb of a long pasta such as spaghetti or fettuccine

  • 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

  • 4 anchovy filets

  • 4 cloves of garlic (chopped)

  • 3/4 cup pitted, cured olives (rough chopped)

  • 2 tbsp capers

  • 1 tsp red pepper flakes (or to taste)

  • 1 28-oz can of imported, whole tomatoes (crushed by hand)

  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil leaves

  • salt to taste

Directions

  • Put a large pot of water on to boil.
  • Bring 3 tbsp of olive oil to a shimmer in a large saucepan over medium-high heat.
  • Add the garlic and anchovy, adjusting heat or even temporarily removing from heat to keep the garlic from burning. Saute until the garlic is lightly browned and the anchovies break apart.
  • Raise heat, add the tomatoes, season with salt, bring to a quick boil and then let simmer for ten minutes (stirring on occasion).
  • Add the olives, capers, red pepper flakes, and half the basil. Keep simmering until the sauce thickens (10–15 minutes).
  • Salt the boiling water and add the pasta. Cook till a minute short of al dente. Drain and quickly add to the saute pan with the sauce (or combine in a large serving bowl). Allow the noodles to finish cooking in the sauce.
  • Remove to a serving bowl. Swirl in the remaining olive oil. Top with the remaining basil.

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @appetitomagazine on Instagram and hashtag it with #italianfoodanddrink

Like this recipe?

Follow @Appetitomagazine on Pinterest

Follow us on Facebook!

Follow us on Facebook

More Stories

Pasta Wednesday, Week 3: Spaghetti with Shrimp Fra Diavolo

Joanna Moeller continues her weekly October pasta celebration with spaghetti in a spicy shrimp fra diavalo sauce.

October 21, 2026

La Tana dell’Orso: A Taste of Ponte di Legno

Two chefs bring international flavors to the ingredients and traditions of Valle Camonica.

October 21, 2026

Pasta Wednesday Week 2: Cheese Tortellini with Pancetta and Peas

Joanna Moeller continues her weekly October pasta celebration with a creamy tortellini recipe perfect for midweek.

October 20, 2026

Let’s Bring Back the Spoon for Eating Our Spaghetti

Our Editor-in-Chief advocates for the return of the spoon to twirl our spaghetti or any long pasta noodle.

October 20, 2026

At Audace, Neapolitan Pizza Takes Center Stage

Slow-fermented dough and Italian ingredients make this Manhattan restaurant worth a visit.

October 20, 2026

The Place My Grandmother Never Got to See

Jennifer Sontag moved to Sicily and found echoes of the family life she had known in St. Louis.

October 20, 2026