Here’s Our Super Simple Puttanesca Recipe

Our puttanesca recipe has been tweaked over the years to make it more affordable and convenient to make in this part of the world. 👍

My original puttanesca recipe came from an acquaintance in Rome when I used to fly there often. I had befriended one of the hotel staff where we were staying.

Since I was flying to Rome almost twice a month,  I was able to get to know some hotel staff. In those days, there were hardly any direct flights, which meant we had to stay out of the country for longer periods of time.

That gave us a lot of time to immerse ourselves in the culture. The hotel personnel willingly shared with me her puttanesca recipe.😊

A Very Simple Puttanesca Recipe

Her recipe was pretty simple. She did not even give me any measurements. She just told me to keep on tasting it until I get my desired flavor of the sauce.

She told me the following ingredients were canned tomatoes, anchovies, capers, and olive oil. Then she shared me with that her puttanesca recipe tastes better with angel hair pasta.

She told me the following ingredients were canned tomatoes, anchovies, capers, and olive oil. Then she shared me with that her puttanesca recipe tastes better with angel hair pasta.

Take note. This conversation took place in the early 90s. At that time, it was not easy to get ingredients such as capers, anchovies, garlic (lots of it! ), and angel hair here in Manila.

Sure, they were available Rustan’s Supermarket, but I hardly had enough time to go there since I was always out on a flight.

So, what I used to do was to buy the ingredients in Rome so that each time I come home, I could cook some puttanesca for my family.

That worked well for a couple of years until PAL stopped flying to Rome. The pilots’ strike came but that did not stop me from making some puttanesca.

This time, I had to tweak the puttanesca recipe that was handed down to me. I started to use fresh tomatoes, the riper the better. I also replaced the anchovies with our very own bagoong balayan. This is the brown bagoong.

This time, I had to tweak the puttanesca recipe that was handed down to me. I started to use fresh tomatoes, the riper the better. I also replaced the anchovies with our very own bagoong balayan. This is the brown bagoong. 😁

Then I also started to add some bit of pieces of dried labahita fish.

Then I also started to add some bit of pieces of dried labahita fish.

Of course, there was no way for me to replace the capers. What’s a puttanesca recipe without it, right?

Of course, there was no way for me to replace the capers. What’s a puttanesca recipe without it, right? 😊

Fortunately, capers were starting to become visible in our local grocery stores. For angel hair noodles, various brands were starting to enter the local market. So, there was no need for me to use regular spaghetti noodles.

To this day, this is still the puttanesca recipe I follow. It’s very easy to follow that anyone in my house can do it.

When we cook it at home, we just make sure to add lots and lots of garlic. As in LOTS!!!

When we cook it at home, we just make sure to add lots and lots of garlic. As in LOTS!!!

You can never go wrong with lots and lots of garlic. When choosing tomatoes, go for the super-ripe ones.

Sometimes, I add some dried tomatoes. However, that’s just an option that you can look into.

You can check out the puttanesca recipe of Richard Gomez below.

What Exactly Is Pasta Puttanesca

Pasta puttanesca is an Italian pasta dish that originated in Naples during the early 20th century.

The main ingredients of this dish are tomatoes, olive oil, anchovies, capers, and angel hair noodles. However, you can also experiment with different ingredients to make your own version of the dish.👍

This is a classic Italian pasta dish. It’s a delicious, tangy dish that is best enjoyed with a glass of red wine.

This is a classic Italian pasta dish. It’s a delicious, tangy dish that is best enjoyed with a glass of red wine.

I usually have it with some Mateus … so good! 👍👍👍 ❤️❤️❤️

Traditional puttanesca uses anchovies to give the sauce a salty flavor, but you can use other alternatives if you like. You can also add additional flavors, like thyme or parsley.

Once you’ve made your puttanesca sauce, transfer it to an airtight container. Mason jars work well for this.

Once you’ve made your puttanesca sauce, transfer it to an airtight container. Mason jars work well for this.

The good thing about pasta puttanesca is that it can be made with pantry staples. It is a fast, flavorful, and cheap meal that can be made in just a few minutes.

A Very Versatile Pasta Sauce

Puttanesca is a versatile pasta sauce that can be prepared in advance and reheated later.

Pasta cooked with puttanesca sauce can be stored for up to three months in the freezer.

Pasta cooked with puttanesca sauce can be stored for up to three months in the freezer.

Ours never last that long since it’s a house favorite. Everybody loves it.
You can also reheat the sauce in the microwave or heat it over medium heat.

A homemade pasta puttanesca recipe will save you time and money. It will be ready in 30 minutes or less.

Why Is It Called Puttanesca?

The origin of the name Putanesca has been a subject of debate among food historians.

One theory suggests that the dish got its name from a brothel outside of Rome.

One theory suggests that the dish got its name from a brothel outside of Rome.

Another popular theory about the name Puttanesca is that it is slang for ladies of the night.

It was once believed that prostitutes prepared this dish for the men waiting for their turn. Hence, the name putta-nesca. Later on, puttanesca became a popular meal among married women.

It was once believed that prostitutes prepared this dish for the men waiting for their turn. Hence, the name putta-nesca.

Later on, puttanesca became a popular meal among married women.
This was the same story I got from my acquaintance in Rome.

No matter what the origin of pasta puttanesca is, this flavorful pasta is here to stay.

No matter what the origin of pasta puttanesca is, this savory pasta is here to stay.❤️

Do you have a puttanesca recipe to share with us? Feel free to let us know so that we can feature it. We would love to hear from you.