Spaghetti Alla Puttanesca

Spaghetti Alla Puttanesca is a classic Neapolitan pasta that uses a handful of staple ingredients and is packed full of flavour.

Spaghetti Alla Puttanesca is such a simple pasta recipe and is packed full of flavour! This pasta dish originated from Naples from a town named Campania which created the vegetarian recipe. There are also many Italian versions, including the popular recipe from Lazio which includes anchovies. This is my recipe for the Neapolitan version which is also vegan.

This is a perfect recipe for when you haven't planned dinner and may have these ingredients in your fridge or pantry.

To level up this pasta, you can top with some Pangrattato (crispy flavored breadcrumbs) for some crunch.

Table of Contents

• Ingredients to make Pasta Alla Puttanesca
• How to make Spaghetti Alla Puttanesca
• Tips for Pasta Puttanesca Recipe
• More Quick Pastas
• Recipe
• Comments

Ingredients to make Pasta Alla Puttanesca

• Pasta, traditionally served with spaghetti but any long pasta will do, like fettuccine or linguine
• Roma Tomatoes provide a richer taste and are perfect for creating a sauce. I use whole canned tomatoes but if you are using fresh roma tomatoes, ensure they are ripe
• Black olives are a key ingredient in this recipe for its added salt. I've used kalamata olives
• Capers provide a tangy and salty flavour, you don't need much of them as a little goes a long way
• Garlic cloves, dice into small pieces to infuse the olive oil at the beginning of the cook
• Parsley, make sure that the parsley is fresh as it brings a pop of colour, it's used mid-way cook and for garnish
• Oregano, this dried herb is a great addition to the overall flavour profile of the sauce
• Red pepper flakes, this is optional if you prefer some spice

How to make Spaghetti Alla Puttanesca

1. Make the sauce. On a pan sauté garlic in olive oil until lightly golden. Add capers, olives, and half of the parsley. Then add tomatoes, season with oregano, and let it simmer
2. Cook the pasta. Once pasta is cooked until al dente, add to the pasta sauce with a splash of pasta water
3. Serve it up. Add remaining parsley and let it cook for a few minutes. It's now ready to serve!

Tips for Pasta Puttanesca Recipe

• The olives and the capers bring a salty acidic flavour, so this is one pasta that doesn't require any cheese or additional salt. Not to mention the pasta water is heavily salted as well.
• You can use fresh tomatoes, just make sure they are super ripe as they bring a more rich flavour. This is why I prefer to buy whole canned tomatoes and keep them as back up in the pantry.

Serve with a little more parsley for garnish and enjoy your Spaghetti Alla Puttanesca! When you have a bite of all the ingredients in your mouth at the same time, it’s just delicious!

More Quick Pastas

• Broccoli Pasta
• Super Green Pasta (Sneaky Veggies)
• Cherry Tomato Pasta
• Pastina - Italian Comfort Food
• Baked Feta Pasta
• Lemon Garlic Pasta (Pasta Al Limone)
• Mushroom Carbonara
• Burrata Pasta
• Pesto alla Trapanese - Sicilian Pesto

I love seeing your creations and remakes, so be sure to rate the recipe, comment and share your Spaghetti Alla Puttanesca photo on Instagram so I can share the love!

Recipe