Photo of Puttanesca pasta by WW

Puttanesca pasta

6
Points® value
Total Time
40 min
Prep
25 min
Cook
15 min
Serves
8
Difficulty
Easy
This quick-prep pasta sauce cooks in the time it takes to boil the water and cook the pasta. For the best results, try to time it so you’re draining the pasta when the sauce is ready.

Ingredients

Uncooked spaghetti

12 oz

Olive oil

1 tbsp(s)

Garlic clove

3 clove(s), medium, minced (or more to taste)

Canned unsalted tomato paste

1 tbsp(s)

Anchovy paste

2 tsp(s)

Grape tomatoes

6 cup(s), halved

Olives

15 medium, Kalamata variety, pitted, sliced

Capers

3 tbsp(s), rinsed

Fresh parsley

½ cup(s), Italian variety, chopped (plus extra for garnish)

Crushed red pepper flakes

½ tsp(s)

Kosher salt

½ tsp(s), (or to taste)

Whole wheat panko breadcrumbs

¼ cup(s), toasted in a dry pan until browned

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil; cook pasta according to package directions.
  2. Meanwhile, heat oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add garlic; cook, stirring, until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes. Add tomato paste and anchovy paste; cook, stirring, 2-3 minutes. Add tomatoes, olives and capers; cook, tossing, until tomatoes are heated through and beginning to soften, about 5 minutes.
  3. Reserve 1 c pasta cooking water; drain pasta. Add pasta to the sauce along with ¾ c reserved pasta water, parsley and red pepper flakes; cook until piping hot and liquid thickens enough to coat pasta (it’s OK if it looks a little wetter than you’d want, as the pasta will continue to absorb the liquid). Season to taste; serve immediately, garnished with parsley and breadcrumbs.

Notes

Serving size: 1 rounded cup