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    Home » Main Dishes » Pasta Recipes

    Pasta Puttanesca

    LAST UPDATED: August 4, 2019 PUBLISHED: August 4, 2019 By Pam Greer 36 Comments As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    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!  

    Bowl of pasta puttanesca with a fork and green glass.

    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 needed to make pasta puttanesca.

    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. 

    Bowl of tomatoes and ingredients for no cook pasta puttanesca.

    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. 

    Bowl of pasta puttanesca topped with Parmesan 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! 

    Bowl of pasta puttanesca
    Print Pin Save Saved!
    5 from 31 votes

    Pasta Puttanesca

    This pasta puttanesca has an easy no cook pasta sauce that you'll make all summer long with fresh tomatoes and all winter long with canned!
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Italian
    Prep Time 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 15 minutes minutes
    Total Time 25 minutes minutes
    Servings 6
    Calories 372kcal

    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

    If you want to mellow the flavor of the garlic and the anchovies, do not toss them with the rest of the ingredients.  Add them last to the bowl on top of the tomatoes.  Then when you add the hot pasta to the bowl, let it sit for a minute or two to cook the garlic and anchovies a bit before tossing. 
    Can substitute basil for the parsley.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 372kcal | Carbohydrates: 68g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 4mg | Sodium: 493mg | Potassium: 259mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 1058IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 87mg | Iron: 1mg

    This post was originally published in 2009 and has been updated for 2019.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry says

      August 04, 2019 at 5:27 pm

      5 stars
      Pasta puttanesca is one of my favourite dishes! This looks absolutely delicious.

      Reply
      • Pam Greer says

        August 05, 2019 at 2:16 pm

        Mine too!

        Reply
    2. Lauren Vavala | Delicious Little Bites says

      August 04, 2019 at 5:11 pm

      5 stars
      One of my favorite recipes ever! It's a great classic to have in your dinner rotation for sure!

      Reply
      • Pam Greer says

        August 05, 2019 at 2:17 pm

        Yes it is!

        Reply
    3. Brenda Sickles says

      August 04, 2019 at 5:05 pm

      Looks really savory and delicious. Can't wait to try it!

      Reply
    4. Irina says

      August 04, 2019 at 3:50 pm

      5 stars
      This pasta recipe looks delicious! I am in love with the Italian cuisine; so, all pasta recipes are bookmarked. 🙂 Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • Pam Greer says

        August 05, 2019 at 2:17 pm

        You'll have to let me know what you think!

        Reply
    5. Claudia Lamascolo says

      August 04, 2019 at 2:39 pm

      5 stars
      Seriously my all time favorite way to eat pasta looks great!

      Reply
      • Pam Greer says

        August 04, 2019 at 2:44 pm

        My favorite too!

        Reply
    6. The Food Hunter says

      September 07, 2009 at 6:47 pm

      This is one of my favorites. looks great.

      Reply
    7. Patsyk says

      September 04, 2009 at 8:31 pm

      great tips for puttanesca! I've never made it but, really must... especially since I just love saying the name of the dish!

      Reply
    8. Ruth Daniels says

      September 04, 2009 at 11:40 am

      A perfect time of year to repost and thanks for sharing with Presto Pasta Nights.

      Reply
    9. Natashya KitchenPuppies says

      September 02, 2009 at 3:34 pm

      I love pasta puttanesca! A great way to use your tomatoes.

      Reply
    10. Sippity Sup says

      September 01, 2009 at 11:33 pm

      This is a true classic done truly well! Truly... GREG

      Reply
    11. Lori Lynn says

      September 01, 2009 at 6:00 pm

      Cute post.
      This pasta is one of my favorites.
      LL

      Reply
    12. Kate says

      September 01, 2009 at 1:08 pm

      Yum. Pasta is so satisfying and this looks fabulous!

      Reply
    13. SDK says

      September 01, 2009 at 12:33 pm

      Thank you for your condolences to those of us not rolling in tomatoes. But I do have enough to make this...

      Reply
    14. My Carolina Kitchen says

      September 01, 2009 at 12:17 pm

      Puttanesca sauce is one of our favorites, no matter what the origin. Yours looks especially appealing.
      Sam

      Reply
    15. a good yarn says

      September 01, 2009 at 10:34 am

      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.

      Reply
    16. Joanne says

      September 01, 2009 at 10:27 am

      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.

      Reply
    17. Anh says

      September 01, 2009 at 1:37 am

      The photos are so delicious! I am particularly drooking!

      Reply
    18. Pearl says

      September 01, 2009 at 2:26 am

      your pasta looks so delicious.

      Reply
    19. La Table De Nana says

      August 31, 2009 at 8:15 pm

      We JUST ate this recently..I like your tips:) I love Puttanesca~

      Reply
    20. Katherine Aucoin says

      August 31, 2009 at 6:58 pm

      You had me at letting the garlic and anchovies cook a little bit in the hot pasta...this looks and sounds fantastic.

      Reply
    21. Paula says

      August 31, 2009 at 10:55 pm

      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!

      Reply
    22. Terri and Bob says

      August 31, 2009 at 6:41 pm

      Totally love this sauce. Bob would like it as a reference to Ladies of the Night. Thanks for sharing (even if it is twice!)

      Reply
    23. 5 Star Foodie says

      August 31, 2009 at 5:32 pm

      I love the picture with all the sauce ingredients in a bowl!

      Reply
    24. Mari at Once Upon a Plate says

      August 31, 2009 at 5:32 pm

      One of my FAVORITE pasta dishes, and yours looks fabulous ~ great photos Pam!

      Reply
    25. Grace says

      August 31, 2009 at 7:49 pm

      although i’ve never eaten the dish, i always, always associate it with prostitution. too bad, eh?

      Reply
    26. Tatersmama says

      August 31, 2009 at 6:59 pm

      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???)

      Reply
    27. Amy says

      August 31, 2009 at 1:42 pm

      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.

      Reply
    28. girlichef says

      August 31, 2009 at 1:08 pm

      Yum, looks so colorful and summery. Nothin' like a little whore sauce, LOL!

      Reply
    29. Marjie says

      August 31, 2009 at 4:02 pm

      Go ahead and repost! We all like reminders and new pictures anyhow!

      Reply
    30. Joy says

      August 31, 2009 at 3:38 pm

      Treading on thin ice. You knew I would set you straight, right?

      Reply
    31. Kat says

      August 31, 2009 at 3:18 pm

      Hey Pam, Did you feel the earthquake this morning?

      Reply
    32. Kat says

      August 31, 2009 at 1:36 pm

      That looks delicious!

      Reply
    5 from 31 votes (27 ratings without comment)

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