Pasta alla Puttanesca

Pasta alla Puttanesca is one of my favorite go to recipes for a SUPER quick but delicious dinner on those nights when I have no time to cook, or days when I'm feeling lazy and don't want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen. You won't believe how fast this is to make! My husband went to pick something up at the store down the road just as I was beginning to make this, and I was done before he got home about ten minutes later! This literally takes as long as it takes to cook a pot of pasta! It's also one of my go to meals because I usually already have all the ingredients at home, the key ones being anchovies (I know not everyone loves these, but they are used differently here, so read on!), black olives, capers, canned tomatoes and pasta (I used whole wheat spaghetti here). I love this Nigella Lawson recipe, I've honestly never cooked something of her's that I didn't love! So if you're looking for a new easy weeknight dinner recipe, this is the one!

PASTA ALLA PUTTANESCA

(Adapted from Nigella Lawson)

*Serves 4 - 6*

YOU WILL NEED:
1 - 2 tbs olive oil
1 lb spaghetti (I used whole wheat)
8 anchovy fillets, drained and mushed
2 large garlic cloves, minced
1x 14oz can diced tomatoes
1 1/4 cups black olives, drained, pitted and sliced
2 - 3 tbs capers, drained and washed
Salt and pepper to taste
A pinch of red pepper flakes
Fresh parsley

DIRECTIONS:

1. Fill a large pot with water for your pasta, and bring it to a boil. Once it starts to boil, add salt and pasta, and cook according to the directions on the box. You want the pasta to be al dente.

2. In a large pan, heat the olive oil, and once it's hot, add the anchovies and cook them for a couple of minutes, stirring them and mushing them up, they will melt in the oil, and this is what will give the sauce great flavor. After a couple of minutes, add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes and cook for another minute or so. Now add the tomatoes, olives and capers, and cook for about 10 minutes, or until the pasta is ready.

3. Reserve about a cup of the pasta water, and drain the rest. Add the spaghetti to the pan, add the reserved pasta water and mix everything together and let sit for a couple of minutes, until the sauce thickens slightly and coats all of the pasta. Sprinkle some fresh parsley and grated parmesan on top if you like! And that's it! I told you it was really quick and easy!

Happy Cooking, Everyone!
I will be linking to:

Mangia Mondays, Makin' You Crave Mondays, Skip to My Lou, Tip Junkie, Cozy Home Scenes, The Shabby Nest, My Romantic Home, Tatertots and Jello, and Country Momma Cooks.