Spaghetti alla Puttanesca is an Italian classic and a specialty of the Campania region. Consisting of tomatoes, garlic, olives, capers and anchovies (which are optional in my version), this dish is quick, deliciously aromatic and on the table in 20 minutes!
I participated in Mom Blog Tour Winter Fancy Food Show (#MomBlogTourFF) on behalf of Wendy’s Bloggers. I received Academia Barilla and Bialetti products to facilitate my review, but my opinions and the recipe are my own.
Oh, the classics! I live for the classics.
The truth is you can never go wrong with a classic dish, especially in the Italian cuisine. After all, who doesn’t love Spaghetti Carbonara? Or perhaps a good bowl of Cacio e Pepe? Or maybe, if spicy is your thing, you’d be all over some Spaghetti all’Amatriciana.
Today’s focus is Spaghetti alla Puttanesca. Very popular among foodies but perhaps not as famous as the dishes mentioned above. And also, usually not for the faint of heart as it can be quite pungent and powerful!
But not this version! Even though I am adding the anchovies to the ingredients list, just incase you’re feeling “fishy”, I am here embracing the anchovy-less Neapolitan version instead of the one popular in Lazio. A much milder version that is guaranteed to please even the pickiest eaters.
Okay, I lie… There’s still olives and capers, which are probably not very kid friendly. But it’s okay, cause you’re probably not gonna want to serve this dish to kids anyway when I tell you the meaning of its name… ???
Puttanesca translates as “in the style of the whore” and it derives from the word “puttana”. There’s actually a few tales regarding how this dish got its name.
Some say that the name originated, in the beginning of the century, with courtesans, since it was quick and easy enough to make therefore keeping the interruption of their business to a minimum. Others believe that the aroma lured men from the street into the brothel and that the dish was served to them.
My favorite version comes from Annarita Cuomo and her 2005 article from Il Golfo where she says that the Spaghetti alla Puttanesca was invented in the 1950s by Sandro Petti, co-owner of a famous Ischian restaurant called Rancio Fellone. Petti’s inspiration came when he was closing the restaurant one evening and some customers came in and sat at one of his tables. He was low on ingredients and told them he didn’t have enough to make a meal. Their reply? “Facci una puttanata qualsiasi“, which translates to “Make any kind of garbage”. Petti had nothing more than four tomatoes, two olives and some capers. And, with that, the Spaghetti alla Puttanesca was born!
Whatever its origins, I just absolutely love this dish. It is colorful, vibrant, tasty and – my favorite part – very easy to make!
By now, we’ve been friends long enough for you to know that I’m a Barilla girl.
I was in Italy last Fall and while visiting grocery stores – one of my favorite things to do when visiting other countries – I noticed that the majority of their pasta selections was by Academia Barilla. Being the curious cat that I am (especially when food is concerned), I bought some and we cooked a delicious pasta dish that night, after walking around Milan all day.
You can immediately tell that this pasta is top quality. Academia Barilla is the best Italy has to offer and the ingredients that go into their products are carefully controlled and selected.
Imagine my happiness when I found out that you can get Academia Barilla in the US too! Oh, this pasta lover is in heaven.
And because I’m going all in and keeping the theme “Italian”, I cooked my pasta and sauce using Bialetti products. I love their 2-in-1 cook & drain pot and use it to cook pasta – because less time washing dishes means more time to enjoy Spaghetti alla Putanesca, amirite?
I’m also completely obsessed with Bialetti’s Mineral DS Saute Pan. Heavy-gauge, aluminum vessel for superior heat distribution and dishwasher safe for easy cleaning. ❤️
Good tools and tasty ingredients always inspire me to get into the kitchen to cook something delicious. That being said, feel free to use whatever pots/pans you have at home and the ingredients that you already have in your pantry. Spaghetti alla Puttanesca is very forgiving and easily customizable.
Now let’s make “una puttanata qualsiasi“, shall we?
Spaghetti alla Puttanesca
Ingredients
- 1 pound dried spaghetti
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 4 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 4 to 6 anchovy fillets, finely chopped (optional)
- 1/2 cup black olives, sliced or whole
- 2 tablespoon capers
- 1 (28 ounces) can crushed tomatoes
- Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup chopped parsley
Instructions
GIVEAWAY
I’m excited to announce that a lucky winner will win assorted Academia Barilla pasta, one Bialetti Pasta Pot and Bialetti Mineral DS cookware.
One winner per household, email address, or home address. If you have won this prize on another blog you are ineligible to win again. Winner must have a U.S.-based address to receive the prize.
My favorite Italian pasta dish is pasta carbonara.
I like fettucine alfredo.
My favorite italian dish is lasagna
i love cavatappi!
Chicken Alfredo with fettuccine is my favorite. I add asparagus when I can, too.
My favorite Italian dish is lasagna. My 4 yr old loves my lasagna also ??
Fettichini Alfredo
Lasagna.
My favorite Italian pasta dish is lasagna. I really love a good lasagna and my family likes it a lot as well.
I love baked ziti with sausage!
I love spaghetti. Its my favorite one.
I love all types of pasta but 2 favorites are lasagna and pasta with garlic and eggplant.
My favorite dish is baked spaghetti with Italian meatballs.
That’s a tough one – I like anything cheesy so my new favorite is cacio e pepe!
I like angel hair with a basil pesto sauce
I’m a big fan of spaghetti with Bolognese sauce.
Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo! YUM :)
I love linquine alfredo
Spaghetti and meatballs is my favorite.
My favorite Italian pasta dish is Fettuccine Alfredo
You know, it is nothing exotic, but I just love linguine in tomato sauce with lots of grated Parmesan and some delicious meatballs!
My favorite Italian dish is Ravioli!
Add a green salad and you are good to go.
thank you
Penne Rosa! I love almost all pastas though.
Carbonara is my fave.
Pastalaya!
I love lasagne with meat and oozy cheese.
I like spaghetti and meatballs.
probley chicken alfrado
My favorite is spaghetti .
I like penne with veggies and red sauce on top.
Shrimp pasta
My favorite Italian pasta dish is lasagna.
I love all pasta dishes, especially pasta primavera.
I love shrimp alfredo!
Shrimp alfredo
I love spaghetti and meatballs with angel hair pasta.
My favorite Italian pasta dish is carbonara!
Lasagna is my favorite.
I have always been a fan of Lasagna.
My favorite Italian pasta dish is spaghetti…with meatballs or ground meat.
I like a good homemade eggplant parmesan.
That’s a tough question to answer as I love lots of different pasta dishes, but lasagna is always a winner.
I like alfredo.
Baked ziti is my favorite.
I like lasagna.
My favorite is fettuccine Alfredo with seafood.
I love spaghetti! ♡
My very favorite is Ravioli
I love any Italian pasta dish with some well-made gnocchi!
Seafood pasta is my fav!!!
I love eggplant Parmesan
chicken marsala
Baked ziti.
lasagna is an all-time favorite at our house!
Baked spaghetti! Or baked fettuccine alfredo with meatballs!
I like ‘cacio e pepe.’ It’s super-simple to make — just butter, pepper, and grated cheese — and it’s total comfort food.
Penne with pesto
I like good old fashioned spaghetti and meat sauce or with meatballs.
Spaghetti and meatballs with marinara sauce.
My fave is spegetti and meat balls
Rich, Fettuccini Alfredo is my favorite Italian dish!
I love gnocchi! Especially if it has mushrooms and sun dried tomatoes in the sauce.
My favorite Italian dish is spaghetti with meat sauce.
One favorite is the dinner I made tonight—Tortellini with veggies and shrimp.
I love lasagna
I love chicken parmesan!
Love Ravioli! I try to make it weekly
I love ravioli the best
Pesto Cavatappi with Shrimp and Tofu. Sounds delicious.
I love love love Tortelini with ham and peas in an alfredo sauce. I don’t know what this is called but I have loved it since I had it at olive Garden MANY years ago!!
My favorite parts dish is lasagna.
My favorite dish would be lasagne
I would have to go with spaghetti and meatballs. My grandmother made such delicious meatballs.
I like lasagna.
I love spaghetti and homemade meat sauce. Like to ad a little sausage with the hamburger.
I love to make angel-hair pasta with marinara sauce, topped with sauteed vegetables. My favorites are onions, bell peppers, mushrooms, and asparagus.
Thanks for a great giveaway!
My favorite is a Beef Parmesan made like the Chicken Parmesan. I like them both. I love the way the lid drains in your picture.
I like spaghetti and meatballs the best.
My favorite pasta dish is gnocchi with rose’ sauce.
Chicken parm
spaghetti and sauce – vegetaruab
I love lasagna! :)
Spaghetti with meatballs all the way
I love Ravioli.
Baked Ziti is my favorite!
lasagna for me all the time for sure.
just plain noodles and shrimp.
my wife’s pasta.thank you.
I love ravioli!
I like Spaghetti and veal parm.
Lasagna is my favorite currently.
I love veggie lasagna!
Spaghetti and meatballs
We love stuffed shells.
lasagna is my favorite italian pasta dish. i love it.
Fettuccine Alfredo is my favorite Italian pasta dish.
I love Chicken Alfredo!!!~
Gnocchi in marinara sauce.
Lasagna is my favorite Italian pasta dish.
four cheese Italian Lasagna with meat !
My favorite is lasagna.
My favorite pasta dish is Fettuccine Alfredo.
I’m easy to please, I love any Italian pasta dish, but spaghetti is a favorite.
Pasta with butter. cheese, and shrimp
My favorite is eggplant parmigiana but I also love lasagna.
Angelhair pasta w grilled shrimp and parmesan
Penne vodka sauce is my favorite second is carbonara.
My favorite Italian dish is Chicken Parmigiana.
We like Lasagna
My favorite Italian dish is Italian Drunken Noodle. YUM!
Nothing beats Angel Hair Carbonara
Stuffed shells with my fiance’s home made meat sauce is incredible.
I love lasagna and baked ziti.
Chicken parmesan is my fave
I like oven baked macaroni and cheese, with that golden brown layer on top.
Spaghetti Carbonara
spaghetti bolognese
I love lasagna.
I love this Alfredo Pasta Bake that my Mom makes.
One of my favorite pasta dishes is Pappardelle with Bolognese Sauce.
Good old lasagna
I like lasagna.
Shrimp alfredo
We love chicken parm!
My favorite pasta dish is lasagna.
Have to go with my moms spaghetti recipe.
Fettichini Alfredo
My favorite is lasagna.
My favorite pasta dish is homemade ravioli.
Farfelle with alfredo.
My FAV is plain old spaghetti and meat sauce
My new unknown fact is that Puttenesca means “in the style of the whore” :)
Just plain old spaghetti. It’s so simple and I just love it, but my husband does not, so we don’t have it often.
Lasagna is one of my favorite dishes.
The cookware looks awesome!
I love Fettucine Alfredo!
My favorite is Fettuccine Alfredo
I love ve a good vegetable lasagna
I love anything Italian but my favorite is spaghetti and meatballs. It is a very simple dish but it is always delicious.
My fave Italian pasta dish is baked ziti with some fresh ricotta on top
spaghetti and meatballs!
My favorite italian dish is lasagna!
My favorite Italian pasta dish is chicken piccata with homemade angel hair pasta.
I do like Lasagna.
Vegetable Spaghetti with cheese
My fav is lasagna. Thanks for the chance.
I love to made home made Marinara with Italian Sausage over Linguine at home!
My favorite is vegetable lasagna.
My favorite Italian pasta dish is lasagna, I could eat it almost every day.
I love shrimp in a butter garlic sauce over angel hair pasta! mmmmmmm
My favorite italian pasta dish is homemade raviolis.
Fettuccine Alfredo is one of my favorite dishes.
I love fettuccine alfredo.
Spaghetti Carbonara is our most favorite!
I love alfredo!
I love shrimp scampi with linguini.
I My favorite Italian dish is Spaghetti Carbonara.
I always like stuffed shells–ricotta & spinach is my favorite version.
My favorite pasta dish is Tortellini Panna Procuto e’ Fungi.
I love Shrimp Scampi!
Gonzalo Canale
I love spaghetti
I love spaghetti !
My favorite to make is lasagna.
Penne with suasage
My absolute favorite dish is LINGINIE!!!
Spaghetti is my fav.
Chicken Alfredo is my favorite
Alferdo is my favorite dish
I love Fettuccine with a Garlic Alfredo sauce. Lasagna is also a favorite.
spaghetti and meatballs is my fav
I love spaghetti is my all time favorite pasta meal but pretty much love all pasta meals
My favorite Italian pasta dish is Fettuccine Alfredo.
I like alfredo with chicken or seafood.
I love spaghetti and meatballs.
My favorite dish is Cannelloni.
My favorite dish is lasagna. It is so yummy.
I like chicken piccata with garlic. LOTS of garlic.
I love a good meat lasagna
I like Fettuccine Alfredo.
I like lasagna.
Tagliatelle pasta with red sauce and meatballs
Spaghetti is our family favorite!
Spinach and Cheese Tortellini in a light tomato cream sauce, Thank you!
I’m obsessed with yoki!
My favorite Italian pasta dish is linguine with clam sauce.
I love baked ziti… But only when I make it!
Chicken Marsala!
I LOVE BAKED ZITI :)
My favorite pasts dish of all time is lasagna. With any kind of pasta salad coming in second. The cookware looks awesome.
My fave pasta dish is Chicken Alfredo made with angel hair pasta
Our favorite pasta dish is spaghetti and meat sauce. Everyone loves it!
My favorite Italian pasta dish is Carbonara!
My favorite is spaghetti.
I like ravioli the best.
My favorite is my mom’s lasagna and no matter how I try I can never make it as great as hers!
My favorite is lasagna!
Italian stuffed shells are my favorite.
We adore ravioli. Theres something very satisfying about rolling the dogh and making those delightful little packages of cheese and spice! Its a lot of work so we usually turn it into a family affair.
The boys love when I make baked ziti
My favorite Italian dish is lasagna. I love to make it. I love that my daughter loves to help me make it. I love that I can make it with meat or with vegetables.
Currently my favorite dishes being called into mind would be Gnocchi with just about any sauce, more likely a light tomato and FRESH mozzarella one. MMM. Or Penne with a really, really good pesto sauce.
I enjoy a good Marsala cream sauce, but so many places/recipes include chicken in it. While its good, I could go without the chicken and just enjoy it over some yummy…PASTA!
I love a good carbonara. A close second is pesto pasta
Our favorite italian dish is lasagna and tiella
I love shrimp scampi
Lasagna is my kids favorite dish.
I love Alfredo.
Carbonara with Truffle oil! Yummy! It has to be followed with Gelato though. :)
My favorite Italian pasta dish is lasagna.
I love angel hair spaghetti with meatballs! Yum!!
Love me some Spaghetti. Plain & Simple
Lasagna !
I love linguine with white clam sauce.
Pasta carbonara!
Fettuccine alfredo
My favorite Italian pasta dish is lasagna.
I love shrimp and broccoli alfredo
Oh I have to say spaghetti! We have it once a week….everyones favorite in our family!
Shrimp scampi with delicious buttery garlicy creamy pasta and sauce…..yum!
I love lasagna or chicken Marsala! So good and fun to make with the kids (:
My favorite Italian dish is lobster ravioli.
chicken parm is my favorite
i love lasagna but also my daughter makes a wonderul bolognese sauce and serves over bucatini!
i love a nice cheesy rigatoni casserole
I love lasagna the best
I am a huge alfredo fan! It’s comfort food for me.I really have to try this recipe though,it looks fantastic!
I like alfredo, lasagna, ravioli!
I really love pasta lol :)
love spaghetti and meatballs
My favorite is spaghetti, in fact I’m making it tonight. :)
My favorite is lasagna
My favorite is ziti with sausage and meatballs.
My favorite is my husband’s spaghetti made with homemade heirloom tomato sauce and meatballs!
Lasagna is my favorite.
My family loves lasagna
My favorite Italian pasta dish is Chicken Alfredo Fettuccine!
My favorite pasta dish is seafood fra diavlo. We love it with all different types of seafood.
My favorite Italian dish is baked ziti.
There are so many delicious dishes to choose from, but I’d have to say at the top of the list is fettuccine Alfredo. Thanks for the chance to win.
I love pasta salad with an Italian dressing.
I love chicken and broccoli alfredo
My favorite is my grandmother’s lasagna.
My favorite is Lasagna
My favorite dish is spaghetti and meatballs.
I love my Nona’s Fettuccini Alfredo! She makes it every year for my birthday dinner!
Homemade spaghetti with tomato and mushroom sauce is my favorite.
Chicken Alfredo would be my favorite. Delicious!
My favorite Italian dish is lasagna.
My favorite is definitely lasagna. When I make it, I usually substitute one of the layers of pasta with a full layer of fresh spinach. My hubby bet me once that I couldn’t get the kids to voluntarily eat spinach. Needless to say they really loved it and I’ve made it that way since. They never even noticed it, lol
I love a good baked ziti with a lot of cheese in it!
Gnocchi with a red sauce!
I love making lemon pepper fettuccine with garlic shrimp
I LOVE lasagna !!!!!!
I would love the lasagna.
I love lasagna and keep my homemade sauce frozen so I can always whip up a meal!
I love lasagna! Yum!
I love Manicotti! Especially with extra cheese filling!
My favorite right now is a rustic breakfast pasta dish I made up for my family.
I love any kind of lasagna!
I will have to say Spaghetti and homemade meat sauce. I love all kinds of pasta!
My favorite dish is stuffed shells with meat sauce.
I love the pastas campanelle and radiatore! The textures are great!
That’s a BIG question for me to answer bc I love anything Italian. The meatier, tons of sauce the noodles just give me it non stop. I truly l9ve spaghetti with bread and maybe a little wine. I would hv bn awesome on the show The Sopranos. Lasagne wld be my 2nd fav
fettucine Alfredo!
my favorite!
yummy :)
i love Alfredo!! yummm!!
My favorite is manicotti.
My favorite Italian pasta dish is Pasta Carbonara. My grandmother made it all the time and now I make it for my family.
I love lasagna – it’s such a comfort food!
my favorite is cheese manicotti ! with garlic bread! YUM
I love my angel hair pasta with red sauce and mushrooms.
I love making my friends lasagna recipe. Yum!!
We love stuffed Cannelloni with cream sauce and cheese..
love spaghetti thanks
Lasagna!!! So delicious!
Me and my family love Spaghetti with meat sauce, meatballs, and Italian sausage with a sprinkle of basil and Parsley and Romano cheese
I love a good meaty cheesy lasagna!!
I love spaghetti & meatballs with Barilla angel hair pasta noodles. Thank you for the chance ?
Love me some white wine butter sauce…and any pasta will do!
Lasagna is my favorite
Our favorite pasta dish is Baked Ziti with Sausage !!!
baked ziti
I like veggie lasagna
I like pasta primavera.
Chicken parmesan is my favorite
I love lasagna! Thanks so much for the chances to win.
I do love a good lasagna.
I absolutely love making and eating my lasagna!
My favorite pasta dish is spaghetti
Lasagna is my favorite.
I love most Italian dishes but my favorites would be shrimp alfredo and shrimp scampi.