Skip to Content

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

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Appetito

Festa Italiana Charlotte: An Italian Food and Wine Festival 

Each May, Festa Italiana Charlotte transforms the city into a lively Italian celebration, blending food, wine, culture, and community with a meaningful charitable purpose.

April 13, 2026

Essere una Buona Forchetta: Where Eating Becomes Appreciation

In Italy, eating is not just about how much or how “well,” but about how much pleasure, attention, and satisfaction one brings to it.

April 13, 2026

Casarecce with Pesto and Crispy Calamari from Lido

From Lido: Recipes and Stories from Italy’s Beach Clubs, this pesto pasta with crispy calamari captures the coastal flavors and simple cooking of Italy’s best beaches.

Rao’s Pop-Up Recreates Its Iconic Dining Room for One Night in NYC

Today is the last day to enter for a one-night Rao’s pop-up recreating its legendary Harlem dining room experience.

April 10, 2026

Inside Lido: Recipes and Stories from Italy’s Beach Clubs

What began as a way to share Italy with their daughter becomes a cookbook shaped by years of travel, capturing the food and culture of the country’s beach clubs.

Italian Salumi: How Agricola Farm Brings Tradition to Vermont

Italian curing traditions take hold in Vermont, where one farm produces salumi with patience and precision.

April 9, 2026
See all posts