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
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.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
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.
