Veggie Spaghetti Puttanesca Recipe
This Veggie Spaghetti Puttanesca is a vibrant and flavorful Italian pasta dish featuring al dente spaghetti tossed in a savory sauce made from tomatoes, olives, capers, and garlic. It’s a quick, simple meal perfect for a weeknight dinner that brings together the bold, briny flavors of Mediterranean ingredients.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces spaghetti
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup pitted Kalamata olives, halved
- 2 tablespoons capers, drained
- 1/4 teaspoon red chili flakes (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add the spaghetti. Cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta and set aside, reserving about 1/2 cup of pasta water.
- Prepare Sauce: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned. Add the diced tomatoes, olives, capers, and red chili flakes if using. Simmer the sauce gently for about 8-10 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine: Add the cooked spaghetti to the sauce in the skillet. Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time if needed to loosen the sauce and coat the pasta evenly. Cook together for 1-2 minutes until heated through.
- Serve: Plate the spaghetti puttanesca and garnish with freshly chopped parsley. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Use good quality olives such as Kalamata for authentic flavor.
- Adjust capers and olives quantity based on your preference for saltiness and tanginess.
- Add crushed red chili flakes for a spicy kick.
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust sauce consistency.
- This dish pairs well with a simple green salad and crusty bread.
Keywords: Veggie Spaghetti Puttanesca, vegetarian pasta, Italian pasta, quick pasta recipe, Mediterranean flavors, spaghetti with olives and capers
