Quick & Easy Pasta Puttanesca Recipe
Spaghetti Sauce Made with Ingredients on Hand in Today's Kitchen
Jan 4, 2009
When in a hurry to make a quick & easy meal the family will love, try this Italian favorite that changes character according to the ingredients available at the time of preparation.
According to Diane Seed in her book, The Top One Hundred Pasta Sauces [Ten Speed Press, 1987], "Spaghetti alla Puttanesca", originated when the brothels in Italy were “state-owned” and the women in the brothels were only permitted to shop once a week…making it necessary for them to create a meal with whatever was in the pantry.
Easy Pasta Puttanesca for Today's Kitchen
Here is a pasta sauce recipe that can be easily altered by the ingredients available in the pantry, and the particular tastes of the family.
Ingredients
- 1 small can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes or 2 cups diced fresh tomatoes
- 1 small can (3.8 oz) sliced black olives or ½ cup pitted sliced black olives
- 3 T olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic chopped
- 1 t dried basil
- 1 t dried oregano
- 1 t dried parsley
- ½ C parmesan cheese grated
- ½ box penne, gemelli or farfalli pasta
Directions
- Bring large pot of water to boil for pasta
- In large skillet over medium heat, lightly sauté chopped garlic in olive oil stirring frequently (being careful not to burn)
- Add tomatoes & olives and stir
- Add basil, oregano & parsley and stir *
- Let simmer over low heat for 10-15 minutes stirring occasionally
- Place pasta into boiling water and cook according to al dente directions
- When pasta is almost finished cooking, put one ladle of pasta water into skillet with sauce, stir and continue simmering on low heat
- Scoop pasta out of boiling water with slotted spoon and place in skillet with sauce (do not drain & rinse pasta in colander or add oil to cooked pasta)
- Fold pasta and sauce together on low heat for a few minutes
- Sprinkle sauce & pasta mixture with a little olive oil
- Add 1 T grated parmesan and stir
Serve with grated cheese, a simple salad and Italian bread. This recipe makes 3-4 servings depending on serving size.
* [For spiciness, add red pepper flakes to taste.]
Other Ingredients on Hand in the Kitchen to Add to Recipe
Depending on what is in the pantry, or what is leftover in the frig, this basic recipe can be altered to create a new twist on this favorite Italian sauce. Here are some suggestions:
- Pieces of Italian sausage
- Peeled and deveined shrimp
- Sardines or anchovies
- Chunks of cooked chicken breast
- Toasted pine nuts
- Canned artichoke hearts
- Chopped zucchini
- Sliced Portobello mushrooms
Have Fun with Recipe Variations
Use variations in pasta and ingredients in the sauce to alter this basic recipe. It’s easy to make and a quick meal to fix when there isn’t time to run to the market...for whatever reason.
Other quick & easy meals for family and friends are chili and hot sausage sandwiches and pasta with asparagus & spinach.
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