Pasta Puttanesca

by Barbara on February 22, 2011

I’ve been wanting to make Pasta Puttanesca since I read about it in a book on my way to Blogher Food last year. In Belong to Me the heroine finds comfort in plates of Pasta Puttanesca. The book describes it as a sensual meal, a dish that whores would make to lure men into their bordellos.

A quick internet search yields numerous explanations for the origins of this classic pasta dish, but whatever the origin, this spicy, quick and easy pasta is perfect comfort food. You can throw it together quickly with ingredients you probably already have in your pantry and it’s ready to eat as soon as the pasta is done cooking.

I adapted Rachel Ray’s Pasta Puttanesca recipe from The Food Network. Since I’m allergic to fish I omitted the anchovy fillets. I liked her tip to buy olives from the bulk bins at the market because they’re cheaper than buying a jar.

Besides be a terrific meal, it’s just fun to say – Pasta Puttanesca. Give this one a try with those leftover capers from the Chicken Piccata.

Pasta Puttanesca
adapted from Food Network.com

1 pound spaghetti
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
6 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
20 oil-cured black olives, pitted and coarsely chopped
3 tablespoons capers
1 (32-ounce) can diced tomatoes in puree
1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained
black pepper to taste
1 tablespoon dried parsley

Cook spaghetti according to package directions. While pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium heat and add oil, garlic, and crushed pepper. Saute mixture until garlic is tender, about 3 minutes. Add olives, capers, tomatoes, black pepper, and parsley. Bring sauce to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer 8 to 10 minutes. When pasta is al dente, drain and add to sauce.
Print Recipe

More delicious, easy pasta recipes:

Linguine in Lemon Cream Sauce Barbara Bakes
Red Pepper, Garlic and Herb Ravioli Barbara Bakes
Pasta with Chicken, Grilled Onions and Sun Dried Tomatoes Vino Luci
Green Bean Pasta with Goat Cheese & Candied Walnuts Cheeky Kitchen

Tagged as: cooking, food, Pasta, recipe

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{ 31 comments… read them below or add one }

tiffany ~food finery February 22, 2011 at 4:56 pm: i adore puttanesca! it’s a total comfort food for me :) makes me want to curl up with a bowl of it, eat and fall asleep!
tiffany ~food finery recently posted..Taquitos with Guac-ey-Pico

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Barbara | VinoLuciStyle February 22, 2011 at 5:02 pm: Love easy, fresh pasta sauces and this is one of them. I don’t have a problem with anchovies but seldom use them in mine just because I don’t always have them on hand. Trade you some chili for some pasta? :)
Barbara | VinoLuciStyle recently posted..Cincinnati Chili with Spaghetti and Grated Cheese

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Bonnie February 22, 2011 at 5:22 pm: I was just wondering what to make for dinner. I think I’ll try this. The photo is glorious.
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Nisrine, Dinners & Dreams February 22, 2011 at 5:24 pm: I love puttanesca, Barbara. The name makes a great converstaion subject while enjoying the fragrant goodness.

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Maggie February 22, 2011 at 6:15 pm: Barbara – I love pasta puttanesca. There’s one Italian restaurant I enjoy where that is now the only dish I order. As much as I love it, I’ve never actually made it (I might sometimes throw some capers into a tomato sauce, but that’s about it. If you get the Costco capers – you always have extra on hand :-) ). Thanks for sharing this – it’s a “must try” for me.
Maggie recently posted..Winter Perfect Creamy Curried Lentil Soup

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Rosa February 22, 2011 at 11:43 pm: That is a dish I’ve always liked! Yummy!

Cheers,

Rosa

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Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella February 23, 2011 at 1:25 am: Haha I remember the first time I heard about the name for this dish. I expected something…well quite striking indeed! Your pasta looks wonderful mum! :D xxx
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Shelby February 23, 2011 at 2:19 am: I have never made puttanesca either….but have a particular blogging friend (Susie from Hick Chick) who LOVES a recipe she makes and she makes it often. I really, really should check it out! I saw the word spicy…lol. That word pulls me in!
Shelby recently posted..Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches with Creamy Gorgonzola Cheese crock pot recipe

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Barbara February 23, 2011 at 4:59 am: Fabulous and fast, Barbara. I love pasta dishes like this. And what’s best, is I have all the ingredients in my pantry right now!
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Rocky Mountain Woman February 23, 2011 at 8:39 am: This looks simply amazing!

I love anything pasta this time of year…

Yum…

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Kristen February 23, 2011 at 1:27 pm: I love puttanesca. Regardless of its lurid past, it is a great pasta dish and other than the one son who would be crossing his fingers to ward off the olives, my family would love this recipe!
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Megan February 23, 2011 at 2:18 pm: It is fun to say. hehe Looks like a perfect weekday meal to me.
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FOODESSA February 23, 2011 at 3:20 pm: Between your spicy pasta dish and my Tiramisu…the bordellos would certainly be raking in the mula.
Don’t you just love the stories behind great dishes?

Ciao for now,
Claudia
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Reeni February 23, 2011 at 6:34 pm: I’ve eaten puttanesca many times but never made it myself! I need to change that! Looks wonderful.
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Candace February 23, 2011 at 9:28 pm: puttanesca…..

You are right…it is fun to say! :)

This looks sooo good! I have never eaten this before. I will have to give it a try. Thanks for sharing your recipe!
Candace recently posted..Meyer Lemon Olive Oil Cake

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Claire @ Claire K Creations February 23, 2011 at 9:53 pm: If it worked to lure in the men then it must be good! I’ve seen this dish mentioned a few times recently… must be a sign that I’m meant to give it a go.
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Jaime {sophistimom} February 23, 2011 at 10:12 pm: I love pasta puttanesca! Thank you for this recipe.

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Bridgett February 23, 2011 at 10:58 pm: I just made Nigella’s version of this. She calls hers Slut Spaghetti which gave me a laugh. I love the simplicity of the flavors in pasta puttanesca and it is so easy to throw together. Yours has me craving it once again!
Bridgett recently posted..Wild Mushrooms with Chive Hollandaise on Sourdough

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Lot-O-Choc February 24, 2011 at 2:45 am: Ooh now this looks like my type of pasta dish! I love olives in pasta, they offer a really nice flavour to it! Oh yum I have cravings now!
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Anna Johnston February 24, 2011 at 5:14 am: You know, strictly speaking I haven’t made this before because I don’t think I’ve used capers in a spaghetti dish, will have to rectify that because this looks really delicious :)
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Blond Duck February 24, 2011 at 5:16 am: I’ve always wanted to make it!
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Cakelaw February 24, 2011 at 5:57 am: I love this pasta dish – I use Jamie Oliver’s recipe.
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marla {family fresh cooking} February 24, 2011 at 9:49 am: Puttanesca is my all time favorite pasta/everything sauce. Soooo much flavor. I do use the anchovies, but it is great even without. xo

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Mimi February 24, 2011 at 11:26 am: This is one of our favorite quickie dinners.
Mimi
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teresa February 24, 2011 at 12:46 pm: the thought of that rich tomatoey sauce with pasta is making my mouth water! it looks and sounds just lovely!
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Amanda February 24, 2011 at 6:01 pm: Oh sounds delicious Barbara! I’m always looking for new pasta dishes, love experimenting with them :)
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Joy February 24, 2011 at 8:28 pm: I am lovig this recipe. It looks great.
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Eliana February 25, 2011 at 8:29 pm: This sauce looks to die for Barbara!
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Cookin' Canuck February 25, 2011 at 9:27 pm: Pasta puttanesca is one of my favorite comfort dishes. Capers, olives – what’s not to like? Great recipe, Barbara!

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Aggie March 24, 2011 at 7:45 pm: one of my all time favorite pastas ever!!
Aggie recently posted..Espresso Shortbread Cookies with Irish Whiskey Glaze

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Deborah April 8, 2011 at 8:30 pm: I’ve always wanted to try this! It looks amazing!

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