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Classic Puttanesca

Classic Puttanesca made and served in the glass Anyday dish, featuring pasta with a savory tomato sauce, olives, capers, and anchovies.
Classic Puttanesca
PT5M PT13M

Prep Time

5 mins

Cook Time

13-14 mins

Free Time

to preserve fresh summer tomatoes

Puttanesca is a flavorful fusion of tomatoes, salty capers, briny olives, umami-packed anchovies, and garlic. Simplicity shines with this recipe: toss everything into the Anyday dish, and let the magic happen! When pasta meets sauce in the Anyday dish, a beautiful thing happens: with just the right amount of water, the pasta soaks up all those delectable flavors. Whip it up while you prep a salad (and perhaps uncork some midweek wine), achieving a gourmet dinner in under 20 minutes.

All of Anyday’s recipes are tested (and retested!) in many different microwaves and home kitchens to make sure they work — and work well. Unless specified otherwise, all recipes should be cooked at full power.

anchovies, black olives, Capers, One Dish Meals, classic recipes, Deep Dish, Vegetarian, Italian, Italian Recipes, Italy, linguini, Pasta, Deep Dish, Extra Large Dish, puttanesca, rice and grains, Spaghetti, spicy, Tomatoes, vegetarian One Dish Meals

What You’ll Need

What You’ll Need

The Medium Deep Dish

The best dish for 1-2 portions of grains, veggies, mac and cheese, ramen, and more.

The Anyhand Mitts

Handle hot Anyday dishes with care with these microwave mitts that double as trivets!
Try Anyday

Select your serving size and microwave wattage in the dropdown. The recipe will change accordingly.

1-2
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Select your microwave wattage in the dropdown. The cook times in this recipe will automatically change accordingly.

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To find your microwave’s wattage, look at the front panel, the side of the door, in the back, in the user manual, or Google the model number. If both an input and output wattage are listed, use the output.

Wattage translates to how powerful the microwave is. The higher the wattage, the faster your food will cook. The lower the wattage, the longer the cook time.

When in doubt, start with less time — you can always add more.

700w

Recommended 

Dish

The Medium Deep Dish

Ingredients

  • 3 anchovy fillets, chopped (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon capers
  • 1 tablespoon sliced olives
  • 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • ⅛ teaspoon chili flakes
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ½ cup (115g) crushed tomatoes
  • 4 oz (150g) spaghetti
  • 1¼ cups (300ml) chicken or vegetable stock
  • Fresh basil, for garnish (optional)
  • Grated parmesan cheese, for garnish (optional)

Preparation

  1. Place all the ingredients in the Anyday dish and stir to combine.
  2. Cook uncovered for 13-14 minutes, or until fragrant and the pasta is al dente.
  3. Toss pasta to incorporate all ingredients. Garnish with fresh basil and grated cheese, if desired.

Serving suggestions & tips

  • Skip the anchovies: If you don’t like anchovies, add miso to provide extra umami and depth of flavor.
  • Pesto puttanesca: Add a tablespoon of pesto right before serving for an additional layer of richness and flavor.
  • Serve with crusty bread: Pair the puttanesca with a side of warm, crusty bread to soak up the flavorful sauce.
  • Make it creamy: Stir in some ricotta cheese for a creamy, light flavor combination that complements the bold sauce.

Recipe notes

  • Add a tablespoon or two of water if the pasta is too thick.
  • Opt for capers in brine rather than salt-packed capers. Otherwise, the dish might be too salty.
  • If the water overflows, you can switch to a Large Deep or Extra Large, or reduce to Power Level 8 and then continue cooking.
  • Microwave ovens vary, even with the same wattages. Adjust cooking times as needed.

All You Need to Know About Making Puttanesca in the Microwave

What is puttanesca?

Puttanesca is a traditional Italian pasta dish known for its bold and flavorful profile (and the fact that it’s made with pantry staples!). The sauce typically combines tomatoes, garlic, olives, capers, anchovies, and red chili flakes, creating a rich, tangy, and salty taste. It's commonly served with spaghetti, though other long pasta shapes like linguine also pair well with it.

Why should I cook pasta in the microwave?

Cooking pasta in the microwave using an Anyday dish is a convenient and efficient way to simplify meal preparation. This method eliminates the need to boil water beforehand, saving time and energy typically spent waiting for a pot to heat up on the stove. You simply add pasta and water directly to the Anyday dish and microwave it uncovered, significantly reducing the overall cooking time. Additionally, this approach is more energy-efficient than traditional stovetop methods and minimizes cleanup, as the same dish is used for both cooking and serving (and storing and reheating leftovers!).

What type of olives work best for this recipe, and can I use different varieties?

Any type of olives will work well in this recipe, but traditional choices include Kalamata olives. You can use different varieties or a combination for added flavor. If you like olives, check out this delicious Olive Butter Steamed Fish.

Can I use canned diced tomatoes instead of crushed tomatoes?

Yes, you can use canned diced tomatoes instead of crushed tomatoes. Just keep in mind that diced tomatoes may result in a chunkier sauce compared to crushed tomatoes. Fire-roasted or even jarred

pasta sauce will also work if crushed tomatoes are unavailable.

Can I use water instead of chicken or vegetable stock, and will it affect the flavor?

Yes, you can use water instead of chicken or vegetable stock. While it may reduce the flavor slightly, it will still be delicious. Alternatively, you can use a combination of water and a bouillon cube for added flavor.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time and reheat it later, or is it best enjoyed immediately after cooking?

You can make this recipe ahead of time and reheat it later. Store the leftovers in an Anyday dish with lid on in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply microwave in the Anyday dish for a few minutes until heated through, stirring halfway through.

What's the best way to reheat leftovers?

To reheat puttanesca in an Anyday dish, simply transfer the desired portion into the dish (if your leftovers aren’t stored in there already), sprinkle some tap water over it, then cover it with the lid, and microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.