Fresh Puttanesca Sauce is a classic Italian pasta dish. An easy-to-make homemade tomato sauce flavoured with olives, capers, anchovies, and lots of fresh tomatoes.
If you are looking for a quick and easy dinner idea, pasta is perfect. A nice change from spaghetti and meatballs. Why not start your meal with some delicious tomato bruschetta too.
If your house is anything like ours, pasta is a staple. I could almost make it every night for dinner and I would hear no complaints. This is the reason my freezer roasted tomatoes are a must during harvest season.
We all need delicious, easy recipes in our collection. I know I don’t feel like spending hours in the kitchen preparing daily meals.
RECIPE and INSTRUCTIONS for this classic puttanesca can be found at the bottom of this post.
Whether it’s tuna and pasta, homemade gnocchi, or baba’s egg noodle casserole, as long as it contains some form of pasta it’s a happy time around the dinner table.
Of course, you can never beat a homemade pasta sauce either. We try to eat a few meat-free meals during the week. Meatless sauces are super easy to make, totally delicious, and easy on the budget too.
Have you ever tried making healthier pasta sauces using lentils? You won’t even miss the meat!
Black beluga lentils are used to make a hearty rich sauce containing mushrooms and red wine.
Puy lentils combined with onions, peppers and goat cheese create the perfect sauce for spaghetti squash.
What Is Puttanesca Sauce Made Of?
This classic Italian recipe is made with simple ingredients:
- fresh tomatoes
- black olives
- capes
- anchovy paste
- red pepper flakes
- garlic
- olive oil
A traditional fresh pasta sauce that resembles a tomato, olive caper compote. If you have never tried pasta with olives, you are in for a treat.
Why Is It Called Puttanesca?
This sauce does seem to have a history behind it according to the food historian Jeremy Parzen.
History states that at the beginning of the 20th century, this dish was created for a brothel near Rome. It is often referred to as lady of the night sauce.
Lots of tales are told of this famous sauce:
- Prostitutes made it since it is quick and did not interrupt time away from their business.
- They made it for their awaiting clients.
- Also, tales tell that married women made since it involves less time in the kitchen and more time to visit their secret lovers or paramours.
Making Fresh Pasta Sauce
In under 30 minutes you can enjoy this easy to make puttanesca recipe.
Prepare your ingredients:
- Chop tomatoes and set them aside.
- Chop the garlic cloves.
- Pit and dice the olives, and set them aside.
- Drain the capers and place them in a bowl.
Cook the sauce (see the recipe card for full instructions):
- Heat a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the olive oil.
- Cook the garlic, red pepper flakes, and anchovy paste.
- Add the tomatoes, capers, and olives.
- Cook, toss with your favourite pasta and enjoy!
Tips and Variations
- I used fresh tomatoes in this recipe. If you prefer, you can use canned tomatoes. Something like San Marzano would work great.
- I love Kalamata olives and that is what I used. Greta or Nicoise would be great choices. Feel free to experiment with green olives if you like. The tastes will change, but it will still be delicious.
- If you prefer a spicier sauce, increase the amount of red pepper flakes.
- If you use salt-packed capers, you might want to give them a rinse before using them to reduce the sodium.
- Anchovy paste was used in this recipe. If you prefer to use anchovy fillets that is fine. 1 fillet is equal to about ½ teaspoon of paste.
- Great substitutes for anchovy paste are Worcestershire sauce, Asian fish sauce, and shrimp paste.
- Can you freeze this sauce? YES! Just like any other pasta sauce, it freezes well and lasts for several months.
- Does it taste fishy? No, the anchovies give it a savoury flavour, not fishy at all.
- What is the best pasta to serve with this sauce? Traditionally this is served with spaghetti, but as far as I am concerned there is NO wrong type of pasta.
- If you want to add protein to the meal, grilled chicken, shrimp, scallops or thinly sliced flank steak would be great additions.
- Cheese is always a welcome garnish. Freshly grated parmesan, romano, or asiago would be fantastic.
Still craving some recipes with olives, here are a few to try:
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Tomato Puttanesca Pasta Sauce
Ingredients
- 30 ounces Fresh tomatoes (chopped)
- ⅔ cup Kalamata olives (pitted and chopped)
- ⅓ cup capers
- 1 tablespoons Anchovy paste
- 4 cloves garlic (chopped)
- ½ teaspoons Red pepper flakes
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil (for cooking)
- Black pepper (to season)
Instructions
- Dice the tomatoes and set aside.
- Chop garlic and place to the side.
- Pit and chop olives, place in a bowl.
- Drain capers and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a heavy bottomed pan.
- Sauté garlic, red pepper flakes and anchovy paste for about 3 minutes.
- Add tomatoes, capers and olives.
- Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes
- Season with black pepper
- Top your favourite pasta, toss and ENJOY.
Beth
This looks so packed with flavor – some of my favorite flavors are combined in this elegant sauce, and I love that it’s quick to prepare.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
The tomato sauce is so easy to make, and yes it has LOTS of flavour. ENJOY!
Enriqueta
I have my own Sugo alla puttanesca recipe but guess what? I made yours and it turned to be really good! It’s always good to try different recipes!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
Well thanks for giving it a try. Glad you liked it as much as your own recipe.
Kate
This sauce even looks authentic Italian. I bet it is just as delicious as it looks. A must try recipe for out next pasta day.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
You really need to give puttanesca a try, it is so delicious.
Aditi
This looks like such a simple recipe and looks delicious. It sounds fresh as well. the look is also different. I believe the flavours will be different too. Will surely try this recipe.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
I hope you give this puttanesca pasta a try soon. It really is easy and delicious.
Naiby
I never knew the history of this sauce. To think of it, you have the word “puttana”. This sauce is just perfect to save time in the kitchen and spend time doing more “exciting” things.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
Funny the things you learn about recipes. Give it a try soon.
WKoger
Love this recipe. The first time I made it, I didn’t have anchovies. This time t added the anchovy paste. I also quickly dropped tomatoes in boiling water and then in cold water to easily remove skins. And sieved the seeds from the juice before adding to chopped tomatoes. Definitely recommend adding the anchovies. You can’t taste them but it gives the sauce a richer flavor.
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
This is such a quick and delicious pasta sauce. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner. Makes a great date night dinner.
Cheese Curd In Paradise
I love the flavor of this sauce, and adore the briny olives and anchovies. This is a great meal to warm up with on a cold day!
Homemade & Yummy
This is a winner of a pasta dish. Easy and delicious…a favourite around here.
Sam | Ahead of Thyme
I love tomato puttanesca sauce! Looks like I will have to try this recipe, thank you!
Chef G
This is a winner in our house.
Swati @Watch What U Eat
I really enjoy when my hubby makes me spiced Indian Chai when we switch our roles especially on weekends :).
I love pasta sauce that is made from fresh tomatoes instead of canned ones. This recipe looks simple and easy to prepare. I hope I will make it soon.
Chef G
It is really simple and so tasty.
Patricia @ Grab a Plate
Ooo! I’d love this right now! What a great, fresh & flavorful recipe (love the olives & capers). Looks wonderful — I’d do dishes for this, too 🙂
Chef G
HAHA…me too any day!!
Carol Bryant
This looks so amazing. I would love to try it. I love the variation in the sauce.
Chef G
It really is amazing…give it a try and see.
Claudia Krusch
That looks amazing. I totally love it, can’t wait to try it! Looooove olives!
Chef G
Please enjoy!!
Cynthia Rusincovitch
Ever since I saw the “Series of Unfortunate Events” movie I have wanted to try puttanesca but had forgotten until now that it was on my list. Can’t wait to try it!
Chef G
That is the second time today someone has mentioned that particular series….I have never heard of it.
Star Traci
Oh my goodness! That looks amazing. Those tomatoes look beautiful just on their own and the sauce is beautiful. I love it when my hubby cooks, as well. I think I need to up tonight’s game for dinner now. 😉
Traci
Chef G
Well hope you enjoy it as much as we do.
Alicia Taylor
I love puttanesca. I fell in love with it after Series of Unfortunate events. Your recipe looks so easy and healthy!
Chef G
It is so easy!!