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Easy Homemade Puttanesca Sauce

Olives, capers and anchovies help this Easy Homemade Puttanesca Sauce pack a punch! It's the perfect quick and delicious weeknight meal.
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Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 38 minutes
Total Time: 48 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic minced,
  • 6 anchovy fillets minced
  • 1/2 tablespoon crushed red pepper
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 4.5 oz grape tomatoes approx. 1 cup
  • 35 oz can whole peeled Italian tomatoes w/ juices crushed by hand
  • Pinch of sugar
  • 2 leaves basil ribboned
  • 1/4 cup chopped kalamata olives
  • 1 tablespoon drained capers
  • 1 tablespoon butter optional
  • Kosher salt and cracked black pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley for garnish optional

Instructions

  • Heat oil in a large saucepan.
  • Add the garlic, anchovies, crushed red pepper, and grape tomatoes. Simmer over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until garlic is fragrant. (approx. 5 minutes.)
  • Add the tomato paste and continue to cook, stirring, for 1 minute.
  • Add the canned tomatoes and juices.
  • Add the sugar, basil, olives, and capers.
  • Season with kosher salt and cracked black pepper.
  • Bring to a boil, then lower heat.
  • Allow the sauce to simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens and is reduced to approx. 3 cups.
  • Taste, and season to your liking.
  • Add 1 tablespoon of butter and stir until it melts (optional). This adds a wonderful touch of creaminess and can also lend a hand in reducing any acidity. (See notes.)
  • This sauce keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Notes

1. If you find the sauce to be too acidic, you can add 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda to neutralize the acidity. It will not affect the flavor.
2. If you find the sauce too runny (it happens!), sprinkle in 1/2 tablespoon of corn starch. This will help thicken the sauce without altering the flavor.