Pasta With Green Puttanesca Recipe (2024)

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Jim

To even further simplify: if you're in a hurry, don't start with olive oil by itself. You can use anchovies that are already canned with capers and just dump the entire tin's content along with the anchovy-flavored olive oil from the tin. If you use two tins, that actually works out perfectly, and no additional salt is needed.

REBECCA CHERRY

Simple to make and a pleasant deviation from the normal weeknight pasta hodgepodge dish. Based on the ingredients list, I thought it would be quite pungent and salty but, all that mellows in the cooking process into a smooth, unique taste. if i were anybody who liked these ingredients, i'd give this a try. just a note: I julienned prosciutto and subbed it for the anchovies...and, I'd do it, again.

Kimberly M

I love this recipe because it is satisfying without the need for cheese. I've served this twice to toddlers and they love it. I chop everything finely and it practically dissolves into a sauce that they think is great, but don't know what it is, and can't pick "stuff" out.

Daniel

You know, I don't do ad hominem often, but this was really uncalled for. You could've cheerfully offered up ways to reduce fat if you felt all that strongly about it, rather than being on the attack. I eat this, I'm not immortal, my BP is routinely very low and I need sodium so I am not ill and dizzy. Here comes the ad hominem part: It's quite obvious why you chose the most pompous of all Shakespeare's secondary characters; perhaps some choose to not play Laertes.

Tom, SFBA

Olives are healthful and delicious. Olive oil is not implicated in heart problems. Fish is healthy.

Salt restriction for individuals who do not have the particular sensitivity to sodium is old hat.

Besides, the yield is 4 - 6 servings. So a bit of arithmetic, i.e. division, might be useful.

The opinions delivered by aptly-named Polonius are many decades out-of-date.

Check out the Mediterranean Diet for helpful details.

Figaro

Really??? If you use an entire pound of pasta, all these ingredients get stretched a long way. I use 4 oz pasta for the two of us. I cut all quantities to suit. Olive oil is a monounsaturated fat, rich in heart healthy omega 3 which is known a beneficial. Salty? Rinse the anchovies; use less; uses less olives. Serving 4, ¼ cup capers comes out to 1 TB/person. Don't dis a fine recipe because it offends your concept of mortality.

lee

What we love about the NYT site and Melissa, Sam, Mark (former), Tejal etc. - is that they represent what's so wonderful about cooking and food - nourishing people, sensual pleasures, the bounty of the earth, delighting in new flavors, learning about other people and their cultures, JOY. It's so sad to read comments when food becomes moral and dietary judgment about what/how we eat and find delightful. Find your joy and dietary needs. No need to judge. Swipe right! Lots of recipes for everyone

Jake

I'd recommend mincing the anchovies. I had a pretty sizable piece that didn't dissolve down give me a big 'HELLO' while eating the pasta. A great dish though.

Carol

This was so, so good. I used Castlevetrano olives and only had 4 anchovies and I thought the balance was just right. A little fresh parm on top didn't hurt.

Dana

Oh man is this GOOD! Get some green garlic now and make it. Now. A sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio would be fabulous with it.

jjocarbone

I used bok choi instead of spinach..cook it a little longe..and enjoy

Natasha

Added lemon zest & juice, replaced spinach with kale, doubled the chilli & served with a pile of pecorino. Wonderful.

Katherine

As with so many of Melissa's recipes, this one is a winner. I followed one commenter's suggestion to use swiss chard, and another commenter's suggestion to puree all the non-greens sauce ingredients together in the food processor before Step 2; with my Swiss Diamond non-stick frying pan, I omitted the extra 1/4 cup of olive oil altogether. On a chilly night, the result was profoundly satisfying.

Anita

We've evolved something very like this at our house and enjoy varying the greens. Someone suggested bok choy, which I haven't tried, but we like something sturdier than spinach. Chard provides a similar contrast with the rest of the dish but is sweeter and the leaves a little meatier (at least than those of the ubiquitous baby spinach). Arugula (preferably not baby) goes in the opposite direction and adds an interesting bite. It can just be tossed in at the end to wilt slightly.

Eileen

Make this all the time. Try throwing in some raisins after the garlic and anchovies.

E

Delicious! Everyone devoured it. I used parsley instead of basil, and omitted the capers and scallions (but used extra olives and anchovies). I had regular garlic not green garlic available so used that. We did the crushed red pepper flakes at the table as not everyone is into spiciness, and that worked fine, though I’m sure it’s even better with them cooked in the oil. The anchovies totally fell apart in the sauce which was delightful. This is definitely going on our rotation!

Kate

I've held this recipe in my collection because it sounded good and Melissa Clark has never failed to capture what I enjoy. However, I overlooked it until about six months ago and WoW!! It's an enormous hit with our entire family. It hits all the savory notes we adore. Thanks so much.

Erin

This was briny (for me!). Added 2 tuna cans; maybe that pushed it over the edge?

Jennifer Mann

I added a can of white beans and a can of good tuna, and it was superb!

Caroline

In the spirit of puttanesca, I only used what was in my cupboard--I used dried herbs instead of fresh, and added them along with the red pepper flakes. Castelevatrano olives were what I had on hand. And no anchovies. Still turned out a satisfying meal! Next time I would add some lemon juice at the end, it needed a bit of brightness.

Sophie

Add juice of 1 lemon for a boost!

Kate

This sauce has the most umami I've encountered in a "mostly vegetarian" dish while. Absolutely stunning flavors.

Kate

This sauce has the most umami I've encountered in a "mostly vegetarian" dish in a while. Absolutely stunning flavors. We followed the directions closely and made it last night. Shared the recipe with our daughters.

Katie

Great recipe. Used the sardines I picked up in Portugal and it was fabulous. Also added the juice of 1/2 a lemon and shaved parm. I didn’t have green garlic so used regular garlic.

lena kae

Made this as directed but added quartered artichoke hearts. This is a great almost-pantry dish. Comes together quickly, entirely stovetop and more than the sum of its parts.

Raphaëlle

I thought this was okay, but it was more trouble and prep than the classic Puttanesca for less taste and punch. I'll stick with the original recipe.

Joanna

This was a pleasant surprise. Was expecting something really fishy/salty with the anchovies but it was mellow, light and perfect for a summer's evening

Arthur Hyams

I loved this dish

sharon

I use white anchovies (boquerones) to reduce sodium intake and really elevate this already great recipe.

!

Holy Cow! This is delicious and so simple! My family loved it~

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Pasta With Green Puttanesca Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What are the ingredients of puttanesca? ›

Bold and comforting in the best way, puttanesca sauce is made of simple pantry staples including canned tomatoes, garlic, anchovies, olives and capers. Throw in some spaghetti for the perfect pasta puttanesca any night of the week!

What does puttanesca mean in English? ›

Puttanesca translates as “in the style of the whor*.” The name derives from the Italian word puttana which means whor*. Puttana in turn arises from the Latin word putida which means stinking. Now I'll bet your wondering how this tasty dish became associated with such sordid content.

What is the base of puttanesca sauce? ›

Garlic and herbs: In this pasta sauce recipe, fresh cloves of garlic are used to flavor the extra virgin olive oil. That garlicky oil is the base of your Puttanesca sauce. Tomatoes: When you have a traditional Italian recipe of very few ingredients, every one of them counts.

Can you put cheese on puttanesca? ›

Some purists may claim that cheese has no place in puttanesca. I claim that there is a seat reserved at the table for cheese in every conceivable gathering known to man. Once the sauce is properly emulsified, I add a handful of finely grated Pecorino Romano—Parmesan would also work fine here if that's what you've got.

Why is pasta called puttanesca? ›

Etymology. Because puttana means roughly 'whor*' or 'prostitute' and puttanesca is an adjective derived from that word, the dish may have been invented in one of many bordellos in the Naples working-class neighbourhood of Quartieri Spagnoli as a quick meal taken between servicing clients.

What does puttanesca sauce taste like? ›

Puttanesca sauce recipes will vary based on what ingredients are available on-hand, but traditionally, puttanesca sauce tastes salty from the olives and anchovies with a sweet kick from the tomatoes and oil. Puttanesca is a unique variation from traditional tomato sauces, but its flavor profile is hard to beat.

What if puttanesca is too salty? ›

If you find there's too much salt, add in a scoop of tap water to reduce the salt. Stir and gently cook to make the sauce glossy and slightly loose – but not watery.

Is puttanesca good for you? ›

Pasta Puttanesca is packed with tomato nutrition

Fresh and canned tomatoes improve health by reducing the risk of heart disease and cancer. Tomatoes are high in potassium which helps blunt the effect of sodium on blood pressure. So tomatoes lead to healthier blood pressure.

Can I use sardines instead of anchovies in puttanesca? ›

My take on spaghetti alla puttanesca is a little different – I prefer tinned sardines to the more traditional anchovies, and I like to add some of the preserved oil for a distinctive flavour.

How long does puttanesca sauce last in the fridge? ›

Once you've put it out, ideally you should eat it within 4 hours. If you allow any leftovers to cool, make sure to refrigerate in a container with a lid and chill. You can keep leftovers of Spaghetti alla Puttanesca in the fridge for approximately 3 days or so.

What white wine goes with puttanesca? ›

Look around for Arnaldo Caprai Grecante, an Umbrian wine made entirely from the local Grechetto grape. It is usually quite easy to find in fine wine stores. Alternatively, a blend whose flavors will also match well is Marisa Cuomo Ravello Bianco. This is an Amalfi coast blend of Falanghina and Biancolella.

What do Italians eat olives with? ›

Olives continue to play a key role in Italian cuisine today, gracing tables in tapenades, pasta dishes, salads, and even on their own as a snack or appetizer. With hundreds of olive varieties, the possibilities are endless, but we have to admit that our favourite place to see olives is in pasta sauce.

What is a substitute for anchovies in puttanesca? ›

To mimic an original puttanesca sauce (with anchovy), I use dulse flakes and a generous amount of salty components (kalamata olives + capers) as well as extra virgin olive oil. Canned tomato substitute: Use 3-4 medium sized fresh tomatoes (finely chopped) + 1/2 tbsp tomato paste for 1 can (14.5 oz) of diced tomatoes.

Can you substitute sardines for anchovies in puttanesca? ›

My take on spaghetti alla puttanesca is a little different – I prefer tinned sardines to the more traditional anchovies, and I like to add some of the preserved oil for a distinctive flavour.

Can you substitute sardines for anchovies in pasta puttanesca? ›

This Sardine Puttanesca recipe from the authors of Rustle Up, Rhiannon Batten and Laura Rowe, is a twist on the classic umami-flavoured Italian dish of puttanesca, and uses sardines in place of anchovies, and fusilli in place of spaghetti, for a meatier bite.

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