This Puttanesca sauce is packed with flavor, made with only a few essential ingredients and tastes much better than any you can find in a jar, Also it'll take only 20 minutes from pot to plate.
Pasta, sauce and maybe a protein added in, and you have a quick and usually tasty meal ready in a matter of minutes. It's the perfect end to a day after running errands, driving to and from activities or just being all around busy with things in general.
And while there are many great choices for sauce in a jar out there and no shame using them, it's really easy to make your own pasta sauce.
My take on homemade Puttanesca sauce is really good, to be honest. It has that salty brine taste from the olives, capers and anchovies but it's not too much.
A heavy dose of fresh garlic and whole tomatoes balances the sauce out perfectly. Try and grab San Marzano tomatoes if you can find them.
They are tomatoes that are grown only in a designated area of Naples, in volcanic soil from Mount Vesuvius and this is what gives them much more flavor than a regular tomato.
FAQ's about making Puttanesca sauce
Is this Puttanesca sauce spicy? It does have a little bit of a kick to it due to the red pepper flakes. I used half a teaspoon but you could use less, or even more if you don't mind the heat.
What if I don't have a blender? A food processor would also work.
What if I don't like anchovies? You really can't taste them once they dissolve into the sauce but the flavor they leave is key to this recipe.
What are capers? Capers are actually tiny buds from a middle eastern bush, picked before they flower. They are then pickled in brine.