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.
Kimberly G says
My favorite Italian pasta dish is pasta carbonara.
Kayley says
I like fettucine alfredo.
Catalina says
My favorite italian dish is lasagna
julie says
i love cavatappi!
Rust says
Chicken Alfredo with fettuccine is my favorite. I add asparagus when I can, too.
Pauline says
My favorite Italian dish is lasagna. My 4 yr old loves my lasagna also ??
accontests6 says
Fettichini Alfredo
Adrienne Gordon says
Lasagna.
Marti Tabora says
My favorite Italian pasta dish is lasagna. I really love a good lasagna and my family likes it a lot as well.
Tracie Cooper says
I love baked ziti with sausage!
Danielle Day says
I love spaghetti. Its my favorite one.
Alyce Poalillo says
I love all types of pasta but 2 favorites are lasagna and pasta with garlic and eggplant.
Thomas Gibson says
My favorite dish is baked spaghetti with Italian meatballs.
Melissa says
That’s a tough one – I like anything cheesy so my new favorite is cacio e pepe!
monique s says
I like angel hair with a basil pesto sauce
Geoff says
I’m a big fan of spaghetti with Bolognese sauce.
Jessie Thompson says
Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo! YUM :)
Diane baum says
I love linquine alfredo
Margaret Smith says
Spaghetti and meatballs is my favorite.
Ann Fantom says
My favorite Italian pasta dish is Fettuccine Alfredo
Lynne says
You know, it is nothing exotic, but I just love linguine in tomato sauce with lots of grated Parmesan and some delicious meatballs!
Barbara Montag says
My favorite Italian dish is Ravioli!
Add a green salad and you are good to go.
thank you
Jenny Scheldberg says
Penne Rosa! I love almost all pastas though.
Tracy Shafer says
Carbonara is my fave.
harolde says
Pastalaya!
Valerie Mabrey says
I love lasagne with meat and oozy cheese.
Rebecca Graham says
I like spaghetti and meatballs.
marie yoon says
probley chicken alfrado
Aubrey says
My favorite is spaghetti .
brandy c says
I like penne with veggies and red sauce on top.
Ireon Williams says
Shrimp pasta
Kristi C says
My favorite Italian pasta dish is lasagna.
Cynthia C says
I love all pasta dishes, especially pasta primavera.
Ashley C says
I love shrimp alfredo!
laura guman says
Shrimp alfredo
Amy Pratt says
I love spaghetti and meatballs with angel hair pasta.
deana says
My favorite Italian pasta dish is carbonara!
Kristyn M. says
Lasagna is my favorite.
Christina Sparks says
I have always been a fan of Lasagna.
Jen Dantuma says
My favorite Italian pasta dish is spaghetti…with meatballs or ground meat.
Cindy Peterosn says
I like a good homemade eggplant parmesan.
Wehaf says
That’s a tough question to answer as I love lots of different pasta dishes, but lasagna is always a winner.
Erica B. says
I like alfredo.
Kelly D says
Baked ziti is my favorite.
McKim says
I like lasagna.
Rhonda Y says
My favorite is fettuccine Alfredo with seafood.
Stacie H says
I love spaghetti! ♡
katherine Persons says
My very favorite is Ravioli
Elizabeth C says
I love any Italian pasta dish with some well-made gnocchi!
Amanda lea says
Seafood pasta is my fav!!!
Kristin McCall says
I love eggplant Parmesan
Latanya says
chicken marsala
jeremy mclaughlin says
Baked ziti.
doug gerard says
lasagna is an all-time favorite at our house!
Trinity Rosario says
Baked spaghetti! Or baked fettuccine alfredo with meatballs!
Marty says
I like ‘cacio e pepe.’ It’s super-simple to make — just butter, pepper, and grated cheese — and it’s total comfort food.
Grant D says
Penne with pesto
Annamarie V says
I like good old fashioned spaghetti and meat sauce or with meatballs.
Nancy Bowers says
Spaghetti and meatballs with marinara sauce.
Linda Lansford says
My fave is spegetti and meat balls
Jessica W. says
Rich, Fettuccini Alfredo is my favorite Italian dish!
Wendy R. says
I love gnocchi! Especially if it has mushrooms and sun dried tomatoes in the sauce.
Kayla Klontz says
My favorite Italian dish is spaghetti with meat sauce.
Mary Beth Elderton says
One favorite is the dinner I made tonight—Tortellini with veggies and shrimp.
heather s says
I love lasagna
Dana Fritz says
I love chicken parmesan!
Kim O says
Love Ravioli! I try to make it weekly
Audra W says
I love ravioli the best
ALlan F says
Pesto Cavatappi with Shrimp and Tofu. Sounds delicious.
rhonda r says
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!!
Brandon T says
My favorite parts dish is lasagna.
Richard Hicks says
My favorite dish would be lasagne
Christine Labelle says
I would have to go with spaghetti and meatballs. My grandmother made such delicious meatballs.
Candace Miller says
I like lasagna.
vera wilson says
I love spaghetti and homemade meat sauce. Like to ad a little sausage with the hamburger.
Jean D. says
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!
barbg says
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.
Jen says
I like spaghetti and meatballs the best.
Tari Lawson says
My favorite pasta dish is gnocchi with rose’ sauce.
Geraldine says
Chicken parm
fran says
spaghetti and sauce – vegetaruab
edye says
I love lasagna! :)
Michelle Donovan says
Spaghetti with meatballs all the way
Summer B. says
I love Ravioli.
Michelle Coles says
Baked Ziti is my favorite!
Steve Stone says
lasagna for me all the time for sure.
crissy brown says
just plain noodles and shrimp.
frank says
my wife’s pasta.thank you.
Julie says
I love ravioli!
Charlotte Winters says
I like Spaghetti and veal parm.
Brenda Goldberg says
Lasagna is my favorite currently.
Sheila K. says
I love veggie lasagna!
Suzanna Pickering says
Spaghetti and meatballs
Bridgett says
We love stuffed shells.
susan smoaks says
lasagna is my favorite italian pasta dish. i love it.
Alexandra Oller says
Fettuccine Alfredo is my favorite Italian pasta dish.
Penny Snyder says
I love Chicken Alfredo!!!~
al says
Gnocchi in marinara sauce.
Jennifer Cervantes says
Lasagna is my favorite Italian pasta dish.
William C Karcher says
four cheese Italian Lasagna with meat !
Aaron B. says
My favorite is lasagna.
Horace says
My favorite pasta dish is Fettuccine Alfredo.
Summer D says
I’m easy to please, I love any Italian pasta dish, but spaghetti is a favorite.
Diane Hamel says
Pasta with butter. cheese, and shrimp
Dana says
My favorite is eggplant parmigiana but I also love lasagna.
Deborah Buffamanti says
Angelhair pasta w grilled shrimp and parmesan
robyn paris says
Penne vodka sauce is my favorite second is carbonara.
Erin Madigan says
My favorite Italian dish is Chicken Parmigiana.
Debbie Yoder says
We like Lasagna
Kimmy Ripley says
My favorite Italian dish is Italian Drunken Noodle. YUM!
paige chandler says
Nothing beats Angel Hair Carbonara
Dana Rodriguez says
Stuffed shells with my fiance’s home made meat sauce is incredible.
Denise B. says
I love lasagna and baked ziti.
Margaret S Porter says
Chicken parmesan is my fave
David says
I like oven baked macaroni and cheese, with that golden brown layer on top.
K Anne says
Spaghetti Carbonara
rich bar says
spaghetti bolognese
Danielle says
I love lasagna.
Brandy Graham says
I love this Alfredo Pasta Bake that my Mom makes.
sarah s says
One of my favorite pasta dishes is Pappardelle with Bolognese Sauce.
Robin M says
Good old lasagna
Breanne says
I like lasagna.
Jane McGregor says
Shrimp alfredo
Elizabeth P says
We love chicken parm!
Brittney House says
My favorite pasta dish is lasagna.
Forsberg says
Have to go with my moms spaghetti recipe.
Susan Gates says
Fettichini Alfredo
Ellie Wright says
My favorite is lasagna.
Zenetta says
My favorite pasta dish is homemade ravioli.
Christina O says
Farfelle with alfredo.
Theresa Jenkins says
My FAV is plain old spaghetti and meat sauce
Andy Cote says
My new unknown fact is that Puttenesca means “in the style of the whore” :)
Dallas Miller says
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.
Sara Zielinski says
Lasagna is one of my favorite dishes.
Karen Dittrich says
The cookware looks awesome!
Karen Dittrich says
I love Fettucine Alfredo!
Sharon Schoepe says
My favorite is Fettuccine Alfredo
Janine Hwang says
I love ve a good vegetable lasagna
Deborah Noal says
I love anything Italian but my favorite is spaghetti and meatballs. It is a very simple dish but it is always delicious.
Kim Cowgar says
My fave Italian pasta dish is baked ziti with some fresh ricotta on top
Mark Marville says
spaghetti and meatballs!
stephanie scales campbell says
My favorite italian dish is lasagna!
Jennifer Reed says
My favorite Italian pasta dish is chicken piccata with homemade angel hair pasta.
shirley says
I do like Lasagna.
Karen Propes says
Vegetable Spaghetti with cheese
Elizabeth P says
My fav is lasagna. Thanks for the chance.
Anita Duvall says
I love to made home made Marinara with Italian Sausage over Linguine at home!
Lisa V. says
My favorite is vegetable lasagna.
Jae Park says
My favorite Italian pasta dish is lasagna, I could eat it almost every day.
DeeAnn says
I love shrimp in a butter garlic sauce over angel hair pasta! mmmmmmm
Danielle Magee says
My favorite italian pasta dish is homemade raviolis.
Jill Rivera says
Fettuccine Alfredo is one of my favorite dishes.
beth says
I love fettuccine alfredo.
jeanna says
Spaghetti Carbonara is our most favorite!
Meghan says
I love alfredo!
Madeline says
I love shrimp scampi with linguini.
Stephanie Phelps says
I My favorite Italian dish is Spaghetti Carbonara.
Jennifer I says
I always like stuffed shells–ricotta & spinach is my favorite version.
Dynal Roberson says
My favorite pasta dish is Tortellini Panna Procuto e’ Fungi.
Barbara Fox says
I love Shrimp Scampi!
Ed says
Gonzalo Canale
Karrie says
I love spaghetti
Judy Chapman says
I love spaghetti !
Nicole C says
My favorite to make is lasagna.
Lorena Keech says
Penne with suasage
allyson Tice says
My absolute favorite dish is LINGINIE!!!
shawna says
Spaghetti is my fav.
Ronda says
Chicken Alfredo is my favorite
Natalie yeoman says
Alferdo is my favorite dish
Paula Michele Hafner says
I love Fettuccine with a Garlic Alfredo sauce. Lasagna is also a favorite.
Joy Venters says
spaghetti and meatballs is my fav
Anita Jude says
I love spaghetti is my all time favorite pasta meal but pretty much love all pasta meals
Rachel says
My favorite Italian pasta dish is Fettuccine Alfredo.
Jessica Whitehouse says
I like alfredo with chicken or seafood.
Allyson Becker says
I love spaghetti and meatballs.
Terry Stevens says
My favorite dish is Cannelloni.
Kathleen Tracey says
My favorite dish is lasagna. It is so yummy.
tracee says
I like chicken piccata with garlic. LOTS of garlic.
S. Carter says
I love a good meat lasagna
Jennifer H. says
I like Fettuccine Alfredo.
John H. says
I like lasagna.
Annette H says
Tagliatelle pasta with red sauce and meatballs
Michelle Jeske says
Spaghetti is our family favorite!
Valerie Schlicht says
Spinach and Cheese Tortellini in a light tomato cream sauce, Thank you!
Carmen Clement says
I’m obsessed with yoki!
Aaron says
My favorite Italian pasta dish is linguine with clam sauce.
Kerry p says
I love baked ziti… But only when I make it!
Julie R says
Chicken Marsala!
SHAYNA says
I LOVE BAKED ZITI :)
Donna A says
My favorite pasts dish of all time is lasagna. With any kind of pasta salad coming in second. The cookware looks awesome.
BIRDIE SKOLFIELD says
My fave pasta dish is Chicken Alfredo made with angel hair pasta
Nancy says
Our favorite pasta dish is spaghetti and meat sauce. Everyone loves it!
Chrissy says
My favorite Italian pasta dish is Carbonara!
Teresa A Thompson says
My favorite is spaghetti.
Lauren says
I like ravioli the best.
Michelle Hill says
My favorite is my mom’s lasagna and no matter how I try I can never make it as great as hers!
Katie Bellamy says
My favorite is lasagna!
Amber Cheras says
Italian stuffed shells are my favorite.
Jayedee Dewitt says
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.
Erinn Sluka says
The boys love when I make baked ziti
Tina says
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.
Sandy Klocinski says
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!
Elizabeth Moeller says
I love a good carbonara. A close second is pesto pasta
gala says
Our favorite italian dish is lasagna and tiella
Julie Moore says
I love shrimp scampi
rochelle johnson says
Lasagna is my kids favorite dish.
I love Alfredo.
Mechele M Johnson says
Carbonara with Truffle oil! Yummy! It has to be followed with Gelato though. :)
Missy says
My favorite Italian pasta dish is lasagna.
Liz N says
I love angel hair spaghetti with meatballs! Yum!!
Eric V. says
Love me some Spaghetti. Plain & Simple
Missy W says
Lasagna !
LynneMarie says
I love linguine with white clam sauce.
Em Mahr says
Pasta carbonara!
Jennifer Mays says
Fettuccine alfredo
Philip Lawrence says
My favorite Italian pasta dish is lasagna.
Kim Keithline says
I love shrimp and broccoli alfredo
Laurajj says
Oh I have to say spaghetti! We have it once a week….everyones favorite in our family!
Coriander S Warren says
Shrimp scampi with delicious buttery garlicy creamy pasta and sauce…..yum!
Andrea v says
I love lasagna or chicken Marsala! So good and fun to make with the kids (:
Tracy Pryor says
My favorite Italian dish is lobster ravioli.
beth shepherd says
chicken parm is my favorite
jules m. says
i love lasagna but also my daughter makes a wonderul bolognese sauce and serves over bucatini!
amy guillaume linderman says
i love a nice cheesy rigatoni casserole
Kathy Pease says
I love lasagna the best
courtney hennagir says
I am a huge alfredo fan! It’s comfort food for me.I really have to try this recipe though,it looks fantastic!
Jasmine r says
I like alfredo, lasagna, ravioli!
I really love pasta lol :)
KENNETH OHL says
love spaghetti and meatballs
Julie Waldron says
My favorite is spaghetti, in fact I’m making it tonight. :)
Elena says
My favorite is lasagna
Sonya Sanderson says
My favorite is ziti with sausage and meatballs.
Nicole Sender says
My favorite is my husband’s spaghetti made with homemade heirloom tomato sauce and meatballs!
Stacy says
Lasagna is my favorite.
Angelica Dimeo says
My family loves lasagna
Kim Reid says
My favorite Italian pasta dish is Chicken Alfredo Fettuccine!
elizabeth miller says
My favorite pasta dish is seafood fra diavlo. We love it with all different types of seafood.
Pamela says
My favorite Italian dish is baked ziti.
Billie J Rowell says
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.
Suzanne Denys says
I love pasta salad with an Italian dressing.
Dana Marie Germain says
I love chicken and broccoli alfredo
karen says
My favorite is my grandmother’s lasagna.
Shakeia Rieux says
My favorite is Lasagna
Virginia says
My favorite dish is spaghetti and meatballs.
Lissa Crane says
I love my Nona’s Fettuccini Alfredo! She makes it every year for my birthday dinner!
Charlene S. says
Homemade spaghetti with tomato and mushroom sauce is my favorite.
Laura says
Chicken Alfredo would be my favorite. Delicious!
DeAnna Keller says
My favorite Italian dish is lasagna.
Donna Cheatle says
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
Samantha says
I love a good baked ziti with a lot of cheese in it!
wendy browne says
Gnocchi with a red sauce!
Kristen Patton says
I love making lemon pepper fettuccine with garlic shrimp
Kat Emerick says
I LOVE lasagna !!!!!!
Stephanie Liske says
I would love the lasagna.
Kathy Hanley says
I love lasagna and keep my homemade sauce frozen so I can always whip up a meal!
Gina Rock says
I love lasagna! Yum!
Seyma Shabbir says
I love Manicotti! Especially with extra cheese filling!
Michelle H. says
My favorite right now is a rustic breakfast pasta dish I made up for my family.
Lisa V. says
I love any kind of lasagna!
Lisa Coomer Queen says
I will have to say Spaghetti and homemade meat sauce. I love all kinds of pasta!
Pam C. says
My favorite dish is stuffed shells with meat sauce.
John Smith says
I love the pastas campanelle and radiatore! The textures are great!
Tamra Gibso says
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
rachel grover says
fettucine Alfredo!
my favorite!
yummy :)
wendi says
i love Alfredo!! yummm!!
LeAnn Harbert says
My favorite is manicotti.
Laurie Emerson says
My favorite Italian pasta dish is Pasta Carbonara. My grandmother made it all the time and now I make it for my family.
Kristin C says
I love lasagna – it’s such a comfort food!
Kathryn C says
my favorite is cheese manicotti ! with garlic bread! YUM
Trisha McKee says
I love my angel hair pasta with red sauce and mushrooms.
Kelly Skibbe- KJ Skib says
I love making my friends lasagna recipe. Yum!!
Julie says
We love stuffed Cannelloni with cream sauce and cheese..
maria simon says
love spaghetti thanks
Katy S says
Lasagna!!! So delicious!
Jerry Marquardt says
Me and my family love Spaghetti with meat sauce, meatballs, and Italian sausage with a sprinkle of basil and Parsley and Romano cheese
Tasha Wilkerson says
I love a good meaty cheesy lasagna!!
Sue Hull says
I love spaghetti & meatballs with Barilla angel hair pasta noodles. Thank you for the chance ?
heather c says
Love me some white wine butter sauce…and any pasta will do!
Jenny Ham says
Lasagna is my favorite
BRYAN E. says
Our favorite pasta dish is Baked Ziti with Sausage !!!
Elissa W says
baked ziti
DanV says
I like veggie lasagna
Sand says
I like pasta primavera.
AEKZ2 says
Chicken parmesan is my favorite
allison says
I love lasagna! Thanks so much for the chances to win.
Richard Brandt says
I do love a good lasagna.
claudia davis says
I absolutely love making and eating my lasagna!
Jennifer Carroll says
My favorite pasta dish is spaghetti
Roxann says
Lasagna is my favorite.
Janice B says
I love most Italian dishes but my favorites would be shrimp alfredo and shrimp scampi.