This Pasta Puttanesca is so easy and delicious! In the time it takes you to boil the water, you can put together the no cook pasta sauce!
What Does Pasta Puttanesca Mean?
I first made this Pasta Puttanesca back in 2009. I make it all summer long and even in the winter and I can't believe that I haven't updated the photos or actually entered a recipe card! Well, I'm back today to fix that.
I suppose most of you know what the name "pasta puttanesca" comes from, but in the slight chance that there are a few of you that don't - it means "whore's pasta." Or something close to that.
It is said that it's because the pasta sauce is so quick and easy to make the puttanas could make it in between clients.
Some agree with that and some don't.
What everyone can agree on is that pasta puttanesca is quick, easy and delicious. Perfect for a quick easy meal no matter what your chosen profession.
Ingredients to Make Pasta Puttanesca
I almost always have the ingredients I need to make this easy vegetarian pasta.
Olive Oil - Since this makes up the no cook sauce, choose one that is flavorful and that you like.
Black Olives - Kalamata Olives preferred.
Anchovies - I like the ones that come in jars instead of canned, but you can use whatever you prefer.
Capers - I buy big jars from Costco, though the ones packed in salt are supposed to be better - I can never find them.
Garlic.
Fresh Parsley - can use basil if you'd like.
Red Pepper Flakes - for a little heat.
Tomatoes - I used cherry tomatoes because that's what my garden was producing. If you use large ripe tomatoes you will have a saucier sauce. You can also used canned tomatoes.
Pasta - I used a whole wheat cappelini - you can use your favorite pasta.
How to Make No Cook Pasta Sauce
Making this pasta recipe is so easy!! The sauce is so no cook, so the flavors are so fresh!
Start a pot of water to boil.
Prep your veggies: Coarsely chop the tomatoes, parsley and black olives. Finely chop the capers, anchovies, and garlic. Add them to a large bowl along with olive oil and red pepper flakes.
Cook the pasta, drain it and add it to the bowl. Toss the pasta with the sauce, taste and adjust seasonings! We like to serve ours with Parmesan cheese, if you want to keep this vegetarian, you can substitute a vegetarian cheese or omit the cheese.
So Good!
This is the easiest pasta recipe ever and it is so good! You won't believe how these few ingredients can come together so quickly and be so flavorful.
The anchovies and capers add a little zing, the tomatoes are sweet, and the parsley brings a brightness to the sauce.
Tip - if you find the raw flavor of garlic and anchovies a bit much, just add them last to the bowl so that they are on top of the other sauce ingredients. Then when you add the hot pasta, it cooks them a bit first. You can leave it sit for a few minutes before tossing.
More Easy Pasta Recipes:
Roasted Vegetable Pasta - the vegetables roast easily in the oven while you cook the pasta!
Pasta with Broccoli and Capers - another meatless pasta that we love!
Instant Pot Pasta all Vodka - use your Instant Pot to make this classic pasta recipe - all in one pot!
Easy Weeknight Pasta Bolognese - yes, you can have a delicious bolognese sauce on a weeknight!
If you're looking for even more pasta recipes, be sure and follow my Pasta Recipes Board on Pinterest!
Pasta Puttanesca
Ingredients
- 3 ½ cups tomatoes coarsely chopped fresh or canned
- ¼ cup flat leaf parsley coarsely chopped
- 16 black olives pitted and chopped
- 3 tablespoons capers chopped or left whole
- 4 anchovy filets chopped
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic finely chopped
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes or more to taste
- 1 lb Vermicelli or spahgettini or your favorite thin pasta
- ¼ cup Parmesan Cheese freshly grated (omit for vegetarian)
Instructions
- In a large bowl combine the tomatoes, parsley, black olives, capers, anchovies, olive oil, garlic, and red pepper flakes.
- In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the pasta according to directions.
- Drain the pasta and add to the tomato mixture. Toss. Taste and adjust the seasoning.
- Serve with fresh grated Parmesan Cheese.
Notes
Nutrition
This post was originally published in 2009 and has been updated for 2019.
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry says
Pasta puttanesca is one of my favourite dishes! This looks absolutely delicious.
Pam Greer says
Mine too!
Lauren Vavala | Delicious Little Bites says
One of my favorite recipes ever! It's a great classic to have in your dinner rotation for sure!
Pam Greer says
Yes it is!
Brenda Sickles says
Looks really savory and delicious. Can't wait to try it!
Irina says
This pasta recipe looks delicious! I am in love with the Italian cuisine; so, all pasta recipes are bookmarked. 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Pam Greer says
You'll have to let me know what you think!
Claudia Lamascolo says
Seriously my all time favorite way to eat pasta looks great!
Pam Greer says
My favorite too!
The Food Hunter says
This is one of my favorites. looks great.
Patsyk says
great tips for puttanesca! I've never made it but, really must... especially since I just love saying the name of the dish!
Ruth Daniels says
A perfect time of year to repost and thanks for sharing with Presto Pasta Nights.
Natashya KitchenPuppies says
I love pasta puttanesca! A great way to use your tomatoes.
Sippity Sup says
This is a true classic done truly well! Truly... GREG
Lori Lynn says
Cute post.
This pasta is one of my favorites.
LL
Kate says
Yum. Pasta is so satisfying and this looks fabulous!
SDK says
Thank you for your condolences to those of us not rolling in tomatoes. But I do have enough to make this...
My Carolina Kitchen says
Puttanesca sauce is one of our favorites, no matter what the origin. Yours looks especially appealing.
Sam
a good yarn says
In the interests of public decency I will refrain from the numerous obvious references one could make. I am concerned however, that the tone of this blog has been lowered, once again. This is becoming something of a habit with you, now, isn't it? And yes, my lips are pursed as I peer over the rim of my glases Miss Sidewalk Shoes. Hmmmm. Depite my consternation, it's a seriously good pasta dish.
Joanne says
Pasta puttanesca is one of my absolute favorite pasta dishes. You can't go wrong with olives and capers. Or being able to talk about whores on the blog and at the dinner table. Now that you wrote it, I can't remember what the right "treading water" phrase is. This is what I will be thinking about all morning.
Anh says
The photos are so delicious! I am particularly drooking!
Pearl says
your pasta looks so delicious.
La Table De Nana says
We JUST ate this recently..I like your tips:) I love Puttanesca~
Katherine Aucoin says
You had me at letting the garlic and anchovies cook a little bit in the hot pasta...this looks and sounds fantastic.
Paula says
Ah, working women food! Love it! I'm a big fan of anchovies, so this totally works for me. And I love the word "puttanesca"! I think I'll use it to replace saying "darn" or "rats". So the next time I'm royally irritated, using great ennunciation, I'll mouth "puttanesca"! Maybe I'll throw in a little bit of an accent, too. Should be fun!
Terri and Bob says
Totally love this sauce. Bob would like it as a reference to Ladies of the Night. Thanks for sharing (even if it is twice!)
5 Star Foodie says
I love the picture with all the sauce ingredients in a bowl!
Mari at Once Upon a Plate says
One of my FAVORITE pasta dishes, and yours looks fabulous ~ great photos Pam!
Grace says
although i’ve never eaten the dish, i always, always associate it with prostitution. too bad, eh?
Tatersmama says
It looks beautiful, but I'm just a 'leettle' {{{shuddery}}} at the thought of anchovies.
Not that I've ever had them, mind you... except on a pizza about 30 years ago.
Can you guarantee that it tastes every bit as good as it looks?
Because if you can, I'll definitely give it a go!
(where do you get anchovies, by the way???)
Amy says
Pam, you can talk about whores and boobs all you want. I for one, think it makes the posts more colorful!
And who wouldn't enjoy a meal with a name like "Puttanesca?" Actually sounds like it belongs next to a whore. But in a good way.
girlichef says
Yum, looks so colorful and summery. Nothin' like a little whore sauce, LOL!
Marjie says
Go ahead and repost! We all like reminders and new pictures anyhow!
Joy says
Treading on thin ice. You knew I would set you straight, right?
Kat says
Hey Pam, Did you feel the earthquake this morning?
Kat says
That looks delicious!