• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Recipes
  • Contact
  • About
  • Work With Me

The Cook Report logo

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Contact
  • About
  • Work With Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Contact
    • About
    • Work With Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Recipes

    08/06/2020 Dinner Recipes

    Quick and Easy Pasta Puttanesca

    • Share
    • Tweet
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This pasta puttanesca is so quick to put together and it's packed with flavour. This recipe is guaranteed to be a hit with the whole family and it makes great leftovers too!

    It's been too long since I shared an easy pasta recipe!

    White bowl of pasta puttanesca with a striped cloth
    Overhead shot of spaghetti puttanesca with a gold fork on a marble background

    This recipe is such a comforting and tasty meal! Puttanesca is a classic Italian dish which includes loads of flavourful ingredients like anchovies, capers, olives and tuna. These all come together for a filling and delicious dish.

    I know some people are a little weird about anchovies and honestly I wasn't convinced either but they melt into the tomato sauce and give it all that salty goodness without the fishiness you might be concerned about.

    The tomato sauce is flavoured with dried oregano and a pinch of chilli flakes for a little bit of a hit of spice. This is such a brilliant store cupboard recipe packed with ingredients you can keep on hand at all times so you can always throw together a delicious bowl of pasta.

    Puttanesca in a white bowl with a striped cloth
    Bowls of pasta on a marble surface with a striped cloth

    Why we love this recipe...

    It's such an easy recipe that you can make at the end of a long work day with just a handful of ingredients and a few pans and utensils.

    This is a great store cupboard recipe made with a few tins and jars of delicious ingredients which are great to keep on hand for a whole bunch of recipes including this one.

    It's such a quick recipe to make which makes it perfect for a weeknight. The whole thing comes together in about 15 minutes so you can have dinner together in no time!

    Flat lay shot of tuna tomato pasta with olive
    Close up of pasta puttanesca in a white bowl

    Ingredients

    Pasta: I used linguini but spaghetti or any other long pasta would work perfectly.

    Anchovies: I know lots of people are weird about anchovies but these completely melt into the sauce and just add an amazing saltiness to it.

    Chopped Tomatoes: Use your favourite brand.

    Capers & Olives: For that briney, salty, tangy goodness.

    Herbs and Spices: I add dried thyme to the sauce along with a big pinch of chilli flakes. Adjust how much chilli you use depending on how hot you like it or leave it out all together.

    Tuna: Drained and flaked into the pasta just before serving.

    Spaghetti puttanesca flat lay with a gold fork on a striped cloth
    Close up of linguini puttanesca with olives in a white bowl

    How to make it

    Cook the pasta: Cook the pasta according to packet instructions reserving a mugful of pasta water before draining.

    Start the sauce: Heat the olive oil then add the anchovies and tomato puree and fry gently until the anchovies are beginning to break down then add the chopped tomatoes.

    Finish the dish: Simmer the sauce for a couple of minutes then add the olives, capers, oregano and chilli flakes and simmer until beginning to thicken. Add the pasta and 100ml of the pasta water to the sauce and toss everything together. Flake in the tuna and toss again.

    Overhead shot of puttanesca pasta in white bowls
    Bowl of tomato pasta with a gold fork on a striped cloth

    FAQs

    Is pasta puttanesca healthy?

    This recipe is pretty healthy. The fish gives a nice boost of omega-3 and protein while the tomatoes and garlic are a great antioxidant and help get you towards your 5-a-day.

    Can I freeze it?

    As pasta has a tendency to get a bit soggy when frozen and then reheated, I'd recommend you freeze the sauce on its own if you have leftovers you want to save for a later date.

    Want more? Try these other pasta recipes!

    • Orzo Risotto with Tomato & Mascarpone
    • Pesto Pasta Bake with Giant Shells
    • Pork Pasta with Dried Mushrooms & Spinach
    • Smoked Salmon Pasta with Asparagus
    • Vodka Pasta Sauce with Sun Dried Tomato
    • Butternut Squash Pasta Sauce
    • Spring Veggie Pasta
    Bowl of tomato pasta with a gold fork on a striped cloth

    Quick and Easy Pasta Puttanesca

    This pasta puttanesca is so quick to put together and it's packed with flavour. This recipe is guaranteed to be a hit with the whole family and it makes great leftovers too!
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Italian
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes
    Servings: 6 servings
    Calories: 478kcal
    Author: Amy Fulwood

    Ingredients

    • 500 g Linguini or other long pasta
    • 5 tablespoon Olive Oil
    • 6 Oil Packed Anchovy Fillets
    • 1 tablespoon Tomato Puree
    • 1 400g tin Chopped Tomatoes
    • 50 g Capers drained
    • 75 g Pitted Black Olives halved
    • 2 teaspoon Dried Oregano
    • Pinch Chilli Flakes
    • 1 170g tin Tuna drained
    UK Measures - US Measures

    Instructions

    • Cook pasta according to packet instructions. Keep a mugful of pasta water before draining.
    • While the pasta cooks heat the olive oil over a medium heat and add the anchovies and tomato puree, cook for a couple of minutes until the anchovies start to break down then add the chopped tomatoes. Simmer for a couple of minutes.
    • Add the olives, capers, oregano and chilli flakes. Simmer until thickened then add the pasta and 100ml pasta water to pan. Cook over medium heat until sauce is thickened then flakes in the tuna and toss.
    Nutrition Facts
    Quick and Easy Pasta Puttanesca
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 478 Calories from Fat 144
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 16g25%
    Saturated Fat 2g10%
    Cholesterol 14mg5%
    Sodium 743mg31%
    Potassium 395mg11%
    Carbohydrates 66g22%
    Fiber 4g16%
    Sugar 4g4%
    Protein 18g36%
    Vitamin A 168IU3%
    Vitamin C 7mg8%
    Calcium 67mg7%
    Iron 3mg17%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

    Notes

    Nutrition information is an estimate and will vary depending on the exact ingredients used.
    Did you make this recipe?Tag @amycookreport on Instagram and hashtag it #thecookreport!

    Like the look of this recipe? Make sure you pin it for later!

    Pinterest image for pasta puttanesca with text overlay
    « Spiced Baked Fish with Cucumber Salad
    Cold Peanut Noodles with Cucumber »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Emese says

      June 08, 2020 at 9:28 pm

      5 stars
      It smells like Italy from afar. This recipe has everything I love and have in my pantry. So I will make it quickly now! Thanks.

      Reply
    2. Sandhya's Kitchen says

      June 08, 2020 at 9:41 pm

      5 stars
      Pasta Putanesca is one of favourites on the restaurant menu. This looks so good!

      Reply
    3. Alina | Cooking Journey Blog says

      June 08, 2020 at 9:45 pm

      This is perfect for dinner! I love the combo of anchovy and olives with pasta.

      Reply
    4. Mahy says

      June 08, 2020 at 9:47 pm

      5 stars
      I can never get tired of two things: pasta recipe and Italian recipe. this combines them both - very excited to give it a try!

      Reply
    5. Abigail Raines says

      June 08, 2020 at 10:34 pm

      5 stars
      The piquant flavors of this tasty pasta dish make me want to have second or third servings! Perfect for any weeknight meal!

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Photo of Amy in a red jumper wearing glasses

    Hello! I’m Amy Fulwood. Recipe creator and photographer here at TheCookReport.co.uk.

    Over here we’re all about delicious healthy recipes to fit around busy schedules and celebrating the joy that comes from an amazing meal.

    More about me →

    Popular

    • Cheesy Cauliflower Steak with Pine Nuts
    • Halloumi Breakfast Bowl with Salad
    • 15 Minute Salmon Burgers with Garlic Yoghurt
    • Summer Pearl Barley Salad with Feta

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About The Cook Report
    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Work With Me

    Copyright © 2022 The Cook Report on the Brunch Pro Theme