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Pasta Puttanesca Recipe

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★★★★

3.9 from 48 reviews

Pasta Puttanesca is a vibrant and flavorful Italian dish known for its bold combination of olives, capers, garlic, and tomatoes. This quick and easy recipe can be prepared in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknight dinners or spontaneous gatherings. The dish offers a tangy, slightly spicy sauce that pairs beautifully with spaghetti or your preferred pasta, garnished with fresh parsley for a touch of freshness.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Pasta

  • 400g spaghetti or your preferred pasta

For the Sauce

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
  • 1 can (400g) diced tomatoes
  • 100g black olives, pitted and sliced
  • 2 tablespoons capers, rinsed
  • Salt and pepper to taste

For Garnish

  • Fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the rest.
  2. Sauté Garlic: While the pasta is cooking, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté for about 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
  3. Add Tomatoes: Stir in the diced tomatoes with their juices. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook for about 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
  4. Incorporate Olives and Capers: Add the sliced olives and capers to the skillet. Stir well and let everything cook together for another 5 minutes.
  5. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained pasta to the skillet, tossing everything together. If the sauce is too thick, add some reserved pasta water to achieve your desired consistency.
  6. Season: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
  7. Garnish: Remove from heat and sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley for a burst of color and flavor.
  8. Serve: Transfer to serving plates and enjoy immediately.

Notes

  • You can adjust the red pepper flakes to control the spice level.
  • Use good quality olives and capers for the best flavor.
  • Reserve some pasta water to help loosen the sauce if needed.
  • This dish pairs wonderfully with a crisp green salad and crusty bread.
  • For a gluten-free option, substitute spaghetti with gluten-free pasta.

Keywords: Pasta Puttanesca, Italian pasta recipe, quick pasta dish, easy dinner, vegetarian pasta, olives and capers pasta

Find it online: https://foodiecara.com/pasta-puttanesca-recipe/