Skip to main content

Spicy Tomato Sauce with Capers, Anchovies, and Olives

This is the sauce you need to make pasta alla puttanesca, a specialty of Naples.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    makes about 2 cups

Ingredients

1/3 cup olive oil
6 garlic cloves, chopped
1 cup Simple Tomato Sauce (page 264)
3 tablespoons capers, rinsed, drained, and chopped
1/4 cup pitted black olives, chopped
1/4 teaspoon (or more) dried chile flakes
1/4 cup chopped parsley
3 salt-packed anchovies, soaked, filleted, and chopped

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Into a heavy saucepan over medium heat, pour: 1/3 cup olive oil.

    Step 2

    Add: 6 garlic cloves, chopped.

    Step 3

    When they start to sizzle add: 1 cup Simple Tomato Sauce (page 264), 3 tablespoons capers, rinsed, drained, and chopped, 1/4 cup pitted black olives, chopped, 1/4 teaspoon (or more) dried chile flakes, 1/4 cup chopped parsley.

    Step 4

    Cook for 5 minutes and add: 3 salt-packed anchovies, soaked, filleted, and chopped.

    Step 5

    Cook for a minute or two. Taste for salt and adjust as needed.

The Art of Simple Food
Read More
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
Put that half-full tub to use with recipes that go beyond the Italian American classics.
This one-pot dinner cooks chicken thighs directly on top of a bed of flavorful cilantro rice studded with black beans for a complete dinner.
Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.
This easy, one-skillet chicken stroganoff features tender chicken breasts, savory mushrooms, and a creamy Dijon-crème fraîche sauce—perfect for weeknights.
Like Sri Lankan cashew curry and vegan stuffed shells.
Use this simple vinaigrette to dress a plate of greens, some steamed potatoes, or anything else that strikes your fancy.
Filberts, goobers, scaly bark nuts: Explore the world beyond almonds in this guide.