Zesty Angel Hair Pasta Puttanesca Recipe: A Spicy Italian Classic

Twirling angel hair pasta puttanesca brings a burst of Mediterranean magic to your dinner table.

Naples inspired this bold, briny dish that dances with sharp flavors.

Small tomatoes and capers create a robust sauce that tingles your taste buds.

Olives add a salty punch while anchovies whisper deep umami secrets.

Quick cooking means you can have this vibrant plate ready in minutes.

Bold ingredients combine to deliver a knockout meal that impresses without complicated techniques.

You’ll want to savor every delicious forkful of this classic Italian creation.

Why You’ll Love Angel Hair Pasta Puttanesca

• Savor Quick Flavor Explosion: Packed with bold ingredients like anchovies, capers, and olives, this pasta delivers intense Mediterranean tastes in minutes.
• Master Simple Gourmet Cooking: Minimal technical skills required, with straightforward steps that transform basic ingredients into a restaurant-quality dish anyone can prepare.
• Create Versatile Meal Solution: Perfect for busy weeknights, impromptu dinner parties, or when craving something with zesty Mediterranean character without complicated preparation.
• Customize Your Culinary Adventure: Easily adaptable recipe allows personalization by adjusting spice levels, adding protein, or swapping ingredients to match personal preferences or dietary needs.

What’s in This Bold & Briny Pasta Dish

• Angel Hair Pasta: A delicate, thin pasta that cooks quickly and absorbs sauce beautifully.
• Crushed Tomatoes: The base of the sauce that provides rich, tangy flavor and smooth texture.
• Olive Oil: A key component that adds depth and helps create a silky sauce.

• Garlic, Anchovy Fillets, Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: A powerful trio that creates a bold, spicy, and umami-rich foundation for the sauce.
• Olives, Capers: Salty and briny ingredients that add complexity and Mediterranean character to the dish.

• Parsley, Parmesan Cheese: Fresh herbs and grated cheese that provide brightness and a savory finish to the pasta.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and intensify the overall flavor profile of the dish.

Cooking Angel Hair Puttanesca the Easy Way

Step 1: Prepare Pasta Base

Boil salted water in a large pot. Cook angel hair pasta until perfectly tender.

Drain pasta and lightly coat with olive oil to prevent clumping. Keep warm and set aside.

Step 2: Craft Flavor Foundation

• Minced garlic
• Anchovy fillets
• Crushed red pepper flakes

Stir continuously until garlic turns golden and anchovies melt completely, creating a rich aromatic base.

Step 3: Build Tomato Sauce

Pour crushed tomatoes into the skillet. Season with salt and pepper.

Raise heat to medium-high and let sauce simmer. Cook until tomatoes soften and break down, developing deep flavors.

Step 4: Enhance with Briny Elements

• Chopped olives
• Capers
• Reserved tomato juice

Continue simmering to concentrate sauce and marry all ingredients together. Allow liquid to reduce slightly.

Step 5: Combine Pasta and Sauce

Fold cooked pasta into the skillet. Add fresh parsley and extra olive oil.

Toss thoroughly to ensure every strand gets coated with the vibrant sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

Step 6: Serve and Garnish

Plate immediately. Generously shower with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

Serve hot and enjoy the burst of Mediterranean flavors.

Tips for Getting the Sauce Just Right

• Opt for high-quality San Marzano tomatoes to enhance the sauce's rich, authentic flavor and natural sweetness.
• Remove anchovy bones before cooking to ensure a smooth, silky sauce texture without unexpected crunch.
• Rinse capers before adding to reduce excessive saltiness and balance the overall dish's seasoning.
• Let the sauce simmer slowly to develop deeper, more complex flavors and allow ingredients to meld together perfectly.
• Choose angel hair pasta for a delicate, light experience, but whole wheat options work great for added nutrition.

Puttanesca Pasta Twists to Try

• Seafood Puttanesca: Replace anchovies with fresh shrimp or scallops, sautéing them quickly before adding tomatoes for a protein-packed ocean-inspired version.
• Vegetarian Power Puttanesca: Swap anchovies with caramelized eggplant cubes, adding roasted bell peppers for extra depth and vegetable richness.
• Spicy Mediterranean Puttanesca: Increase red pepper flakes, add chopped jalapeños, and incorporate crumbled feta cheese for a zesty Greek-inspired rendition.
• Lemony Herb Puttanesca: Brighten the sauce with fresh lemon zest, add chopped basil and oregano, and finish with toasted pine nuts for a fresh, aromatic profile.

Satisfying Sides for Puttanesca Pasta

• Pair with Robust Red Wine: Select a bold Italian red like Chianti or Sangiovese to complement the puttanesca's intense, briny flavors and cut through the rich tomato sauce.
• Crisp Mediterranean Salad: Create a simple side with fresh arugula, cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced red onions, and a light lemon vinaigrette to balance the pasta's salty and tangy profile.
• Crusty Garlic Bread Companion: Prepare warm, toasted sourdough or ciabatta bread rubbed with garlic and drizzled with extra virgin olive oil to soak up the delicious sauce and add textural contrast.
• Bright Herb Garnish: Sprinkle additional fresh parsley or basil on top to enhance the dish's aromatic notes and provide a fresh, green counterpoint to the robust sauce.

How to Store Angel Hair Puttanesca Like a Chef

• Refrigerator Storage: Transfer leftover pasta to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cover tightly to prevent absorption of other food odors.
• Freezer Storage: Seal pasta in a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag, removing as much air as possible. Freeze for maximum 2 months to maintain best quality and texture.
• Microwave Reheating: Place pasta in a microwave-safe dish, sprinkle a few drops of water to prevent drying. Cover loosely and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly warmed.
• Stovetop Reheating: Warm pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of olive oil or water to restore moisture. Stir gently and frequently to prevent sticking and ensure even heating.

Pasta Puttanesca FAQs, Answered Fast

• What makes puttanesca sauce unique?

The bold, briny flavors come from key ingredients like anchovies, olives, and capers that create a punchy, intense taste profile with a Mediterranean flair.

• Is this dish spicy?

The crushed red pepper flakes provide a moderate heat level that adds warmth without overwhelming the other complex flavors in the sauce.

• Can I skip the anchovies?

While anchovies are traditional and add depth, you can omit them for a vegetarian version, though the sauce will lose some of its signature umami richness.

• Why use angel hair pasta for this recipe?

Angel hair pasta’s delicate, thin strands perfectly absorb the robust sauce, creating a balanced bite where the sauce and pasta complement each other beautifully.

Angel Hair Pasta Puttanesca Recipe

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4.8 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Spicy and zesty angel hair pasta puttanesca brings Italian coastal flavors to your dinner table with minimal effort. Quick ingredients like capers, olives, and tomatoes create a bold sauce that lingers deliciously on delicate pasta strands for you to savor.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 12 ounces (340 grams) dry angel hair pasta
• 1 28-ounce (794 grams) can whole plum tomatoes, drained and crushed by hand
• 6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• 4 anchovy fillets

Flavor Enhancers:

• 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/2 cup (75 grams) pitted black olives, roughly chopped
• 3 tablespoons capers, drained
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

Finishing Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons olive oil, plus extra for tossing the pasta
• Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

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Instructions

1. Fill a large pot with water, add salt, and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Gently submerge angel hair pasta and cook until perfectly tender yet firm, following package timing. Drain thoroughly and lightly coat with olive oil to prevent clumping. Keep warm.
2. Place a spacious skillet on medium-low heat. Pour olive oil and introduce minced garlic, anchovy fillets, and red pepper flakes. Stir continuously until garlic turns golden and anchovies completely melt, approximately 3 minutes.
3. Pour crushed tomatoes into the skillet, seasoning with salt and pepper. Elevate heat to medium-high, allowing sauce to bubble and simmer. Cook for 5-7 minutes until tomatoes break down and release their natural essence.
4. Incorporate briny olives, tangy capers, and any reserved tomato liquid. Reduce heat and let sauce gently simmer for 10 minutes, concentrating flavors and creating a slightly thickened consistency.
5. Transfer drained pasta directly into the simmering sauce. Sprinkle fresh parsley and drizzle additional olive oil. Toss vigorously to ensure every strand is luxuriously coated with the robust sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
6. Plate immediately and crown with a generous cascade of freshly grated Parmesan cheese, serving while piping hot.

Notes

• Quick-cooking angel hair pasta ensures tender, delicate strands that absorb sauce beautifully without becoming mushy.
• Toast red pepper flakes briefly to release their deep, spicy oils and enhance overall flavor complexity.
• Dissolving anchovies completely creates a rich, umami base that adds depth without pronounced fishy taste.
• Consider using gluten-free pasta for a celiac-friendly version, maintaining the recipe’s vibrant Mediterranean essence.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 550
• Sugar: 4g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 2.5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 76g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 14g
• Cholesterol: 10mg