Mangia Napoli Style Spaghetti alla Puttanesca
A bold Italian pasta dish featuring spaghetti tossed in a tangy sauce of tomatoes, olives, capers, and anchovies with garlic and chili flakes. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 25 minutes pairs spaghetti, extra virgin olive oil, thinly sliced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 4 cloves, thinly sliced garlic cloves
- 5 fillets, chopped anchovy fillets
- 1/2 tsp red chili flakes
- 1 can (14 oz) canned diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup, pitted and halved Kalamata olives
- 2 tbsp, rinsed capers
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Step 2: While the pasta cooks, heat 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 thinly sliced garlic cloves, 5 chopped anchovy fillets, and 1/2 tsp red chili flakes. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until the garlic is fragrant and anchovies dissolve.
- Step 3: Add 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes to the skillet, stirring and simmering for 5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Step 4: Stir in 1/2 cup pitted and halved Kalamata olives and 2 tbsp rinsed capers. Cook for another 2 minutes.
- Step 5: Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet along with 1/2 cup reserved pasta water, 1 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Toss vigorously for 1 minute until the sauce evenly coats the pasta.
- Step 6: Remove from heat and stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley. Serve immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Mangia Napoli Style Spaghetti alla Puttanesca take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Mangia Napoli Style Spaghetti alla Puttanesca?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep spaghetti from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Mangia Napoli Style Spaghetti alla Puttanesca?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Mangia Napoli Style Spaghetti alla Puttanesca for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Mangia Napoli Style Spaghetti alla Puttanesca?
Italian pasta like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
