Easy Pasta Puttanesca

It’s no secret, I LOVE to cook. Spending time in the kitchen creating healthy and delicious meals for my family with the best ingredients is not only enjoyable for me, but I find it very relaxing. I take a lot of pride in creating meals that my family and friends will love. “This is delicious!” is one of the best compliments you can give me at the farm.

To make a healthy and delicious meal, you need a few things to be successful. First, you need quality ingredients. I’ve found that many of the best recipes are made with the fewest ingredients. Next, you need reliable and quality cookware. Some of my favorite cookware includes cast iron and my non-toxic, non-stick, ceramic pots and pans.  Finally, you need love; love for food, love for cooking, and love for those you are cooking for. With all of those components combine, your dish is sure to be delicious.

Today, I am sharing another family favorite recipe: Easy Pasta Puttanesca. It’s quick, simple, and very tasty. This zesty sauce can be made with ingredients that you typically have in your pantry every day. I love that you can spice it up to your taste too!

Pasta Puttanesca is a great summertime meal because the sauce isn’t heavy. Serve it with an antipasto or garden salad and a fresh baguette for a lighter meal. You can also make it a heartier meal by serving it with Italian sausage links, chicken cutlets, or meatballs. No matter how you serve it, Pasta Puttanesca is a delicious dish and your family will likely be asking to have it again and again. The great news is that you will be happy to make it because it’s so quick and easy. Enjoy!

Yield: 4 servings

Easy Pasta Puttanesca

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Pasta Puttanesca has become a family favorite here on the farm. Not just because it's a healthy and delicious meal, but also because it's a quick and easy dish for the head cook at the farm to make. (Yup, that's me!) This zesty and slightly spicy sauce is not only incredibly tasty, but it fills the kitchen with an aroma that awakens all your senses. My favorite part about Pasta Puttanesca is that you can make it as light or as hearty a meal as you like. For a lighter meal, served it with an antipasti salad. For a heartier meal, serve with sauteed Italian sausage, baked (or fried) chicken cutlets, or meatballs alongside it or on top. No matter how you serve Pasta Puttanesca, it's always a crowd-pleaser.

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Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 anchovy fillets
• 1 28-ounce can San Marzano tomatoes, crushed
• 3/4 cup pitted kalamata olives, chopped
• 3 tablespoons capers, drained
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 pound spaghetti or other long pasta
• Fresh parsley or basil for garnish
• Parmesan cheese, grated

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil (about 2 tablespoons of salt).
2. While the water is coming to a boil, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add garlic and anchovies. Cook, stirring occasionally until the garlic is lightly golden and aromatic and the anchovies have dissolve.
3. Add the tomatoes to the skillet crushing them with your hands or the back of a wooden spoon, if they aren't already crushed. Add some salt and pepper (about a 1/2 teaspoon of each). Raise the heat to medium-high and cook (simmer) for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. The tomatoes should break down and the mixture should become saucy.
4. Stir in kalamata olives, capers, and red pepper flakes. Bring to a simmer again for about 10-15 minutes.
5. Cook pasta according to directions until it's "al dente" Reserve about 1/2 of pasta water. Drain pasta. Return pasta to pot and gently toss with the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, you can add the reserved pasta water a little at a time until the sauce coats the pasta the way you prefer.
6. Taste and adjust the seasonings as necessary. Garnish with fresh parsley, basil, or both. Serve with Parmesan cheese.

Notes

Feel free to add more or omit red pepper flakes depending on how much you like spicy foods.