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pasta sauce over plate of pasta

Easy Puttanesca Sauce Recipe

Make this flavorful and easy dish in just 20 minutes! Make-ahead and freezer friendly, it offers layers of sophisticated flavor in a snap.
5 from 4 votes
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Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: puttanesca, puttanesca sauce recipe, spaghetti alla puttanesca
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 171kcal

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 shallot chopped
  • 3 fresh garlic cloves thinly sliced
  • 2 teaspoons anchovy paste optional
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 35 ounces whole Italian tomatoes with juices
  • 1/4 cup capers drained
  • 1 tablespoon kalamata olives coarsely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon coarse Kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves chiffonade cut

Instructions

  • Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Add the shallot, sauteing for 2-3 minutes. Add the garlic, anchovy paste and crushed red pepper, sauteing for 2 more minutes or until it is fragrant.
  • Stir in the tomato paste and juices from the can of tomatoes. Using clean hands, hand squeeze each tomato into the sauce, breaking apart with your hands. Allow the sauce to come to a simmer, stirring occasionally.
  • Stir in the capers, olives, sugar, salt and pepper. Cook for another 5 minutes or until sauce has thickened.
  • Right before serving, stir in the basil. Serve over your favorite pasta.
  • If you've tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or star ratings.

Notes

This sauce is meant to be used sparingly because it is so flavorful. It won't engulf the pasta. Double the recipe if you want a super saucy dish. 

Nutrition

Calories: 171kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 3mg | Sodium: 1449mg | Potassium: 603mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 591IU | Vitamin C: 26mg | Calcium: 100mg | Iron: 3mg