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
Like “absolutely decadent” chocolate pudding and fattoush salad.
Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.
A warmly spiced Ashkenazi charoset, perfect for your Passover seder—or spooned over yogurt the next morning.
You’ll never need to look up a holiday turkey recipe again.
Grab your Easter basket and hop in—you’ll want to collect each and every one of these fun and easy Easter recipes.
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
Biscuits and gravy, but make it spring.
Every salad should have pita chips.