Penne Puttanesca

Description

Penne puttanesca is a classic, quick-to-prepare Italian dish featuring a robust, savory, and spicy tomato sauce made primarily from olives, capers, garlic, and crushed red pepper flakes. The sauce's name translates loosely to "in the style of a woman who engages in sex acts in exchange for pay," with various origin stories linking it to brothels in Naples or a restaurant owner improvising a meal with "whatever ingredients were available".

Ingredients

Penne pasta
Olive oil
Garlic
Crushed red pepper flakes
Canned tomatoes
Pitted olives
Capers
Fresh parsley or basil
Salt and pepper

Steps

Cook the pasta: Boil the penne in a pot of salted water until al dente (cooked but still firm), reserving some of the starchy pasta water before draining.
Sauté aromatics: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and cook the garlic, and red pepper flakes.
Simmer the sauce: Add the tomatoes, olives, and capers to the skillet. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and cook for about 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken.
Combine and finish: Add the drained pasta directly to the sauce along with a splash of the reserved pasta water. Toss and cook for another minute to finish the pasta and allow it to absorb the flavor.
Combine and finish: Add the drained pasta directly to the sauce along with a splash of the reserved pasta water. Toss and cook for another minute to finish the pasta and allow it to absorb the flavor.
Serve: Stir in fresh parsley or basil and serve immediately, optionally with a side of crusty bread or a green salad.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is penne puttanesca?: Penne puttanesca is a pasta dish made with penne pasta and a bold tomato-based sauce that includes olives, capers, and garlic.
What ingredients are used in penne puttanesca?: Common ingredients include penne pasta, tomatoes, olives, capers, garlic, olive oil, and red pepper flakes.
How is penne puttanesca prepared?: The sauce is cooked by sautéing garlic in olive oil, adding tomatoes, olives, and capers, then tossing with cooked penne pasta.