← What's For Dinner

Italian · Lunch, dinner

Spaghetti alla Puttanesca

Photograph of the finished dish Photograph of the finished dish
Photograph of the finished dish Photograph of the finished dish

Background

Puttanesca is a bold southern Italian sauce whose modern name and exact origin are debated. Tomatoes, olives, capers, garlic, and anchovies create a quick sauce from preserved pantry ingredients.

Ingredients

  • 400 g spaghetti
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 garlic cloves, sliced
  • 4 anchovy fillets
  • 400 g canned tomatoes
  • 100 g black olives, pitted
  • 2 tablespoons capers
  • Chile flakes and parsley

How to cook

  1. Warm oil, garlic, chile, and anchovies until the anchovies dissolve.
  2. Add tomatoes, olives, and capers; simmer for 15 minutes.
  3. Toss with al dente spaghetti and a little cooking water. Finish with parsley.

Recipe photographs link to their original publishers.