Pasta puttanesca is one of my favorite pasta dishes. It has so much going for it! I mean, it’s pasta. That alone scores big points. And it’s got tomato sauce. Plain old pasta with tomato sauce is plenty to keep me happy. But then you’ve got lots of punch flavor additions to make a super zesty, flavor-packed sauce!
What is Puttanesca Sauce?
Okay, this is where it gets awkward. “Puttanesca” literally translates to “prostitute.” There are various theories as to how it got that name. Whatever the case, it’s delicious! Think of puttanesca as a light tomato-based sauce, with a few extra ingredients for amazing flavor:
Garlic. Extra garlic is always a good thing if you ask me!Olives. Traditional puttanesca sauce uses Gaeta olives, but I substituted Kalamata, simply because they’re way easier to find.Capers. For even more salty, zesty flavor.Red pepper flakes. Puttanesca sauce packs a nice kick, thanks to these.Fresh basil. For a delicious finish.
Traditional puttanesca sauce also contains anchovies. Obviously we’re leaving them out for this vegetarian puttanesca recipe, but with so many other flavorful ingredients, I promise you won’t miss them!
How to Make Pasta Puttanesca
Start by heating up some olive oil in a large pot. Add your garlic and let it cook for just a minute. Be careful! Garlic will burn very quickly, so be sure to stir it continuously and watch it closely. Now add some tomatoes (crushed and diced), olives, capers, and red pepper flakes. Bring the sauce up to a simmer and let it cook for just 10 minutes. Fresh basil goes in last, followed by a bit of salt and pepper. Ladle your sauce over pasta and dig in!
Helpful Tips
Leftover storage: I recommend storing the pasta and sauce separately, if possible. Each should be good in a sealed container in the fridge for about 3 days. The sauce is also freezer-friendly.Vegan Parmesan cheese makes a great topper for this dish.If you love this recipe, try my vegan polenta puttanesca. The sauce is almost exactly the same, but instead of pasta it’s served over slabs of pan-fried polenta with dairy-free ricotta!
More Easy Vegan Pasta Recipes
Creamy Kale PastaRoasted Butternut Squash Pasta with Walnuts & KaleEasy Tomato Basil PastaBalsamic Asparagus PastaPasta with White Wine Sauce
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