PastaItalian

Pilchard Puttanesca

Name: Pilchard Puttanesca
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 300g Spaghetti; 1 tbls Olive Oil; 1 finely chopped Onion; 2 cloves minced Garlic; 1 Red Chilli; 1 tbls Tomato Puree; 425g Pilchards; 70g Black Olives; Shaved Parmesan

Pilchard Puttanesca is a classic Italian pasta that holds a distinguished place in traditional cooking. Celebrated for its wholesome ingredients and time-honored preparation, this dish brings authentic regional character to the home kitchen.

Carefully prepared featuring Spaghetti, Onion, Garlic, Red Chilli, Tomato Puree, Pilchards, Black Olives and Parmesan, the ingredients are simmered and seasoned to achieve a satisfying depth of flavor. True to traditional Italian cooking, the dish focuses on relying on ingredient purity, fresh herbs, aromatic garlic, and rich extra-virgin olive oil.

In authentic Italian tradition, Pilchard Puttanesca is best presented with crusty artisan bread and a light green salad.

If you enjoy authentic Italian cooking, be sure to also explore our recipe for Chicken Alfredo Pasta.

Rate this recipe

Be the first to rate

0 likes

Ingredients

Spaghetti300g
Olive Oil1 tbls
Onion1 finely chopped
Garlic2 cloves minced
Red Chilli1
Tomato Puree1 tbls
Pilchards425g
Black Olives70g
ParmesanShaved

Step-by-Step Instructions

6 steps

Interactive Cook Mode: Click any step or circle to check it off as you cook.

Step 1

Cook the pasta following pack instructions.

Step 2⏱️ 3-4 mins

Heat the oil in a non-stick frying pan and cook the onion, garlic and chilli for 3-4 mins to soften.

Step 3🥄 Mix⏱️ 1 min

Stir in the tomato purée and cook for 1 min, then add the pilchards with their sauce.

Step 4

Cook, breaking up the fish with a wooden spoon, then add the olives and continue to cook for a few more mins.

Step 5

Drain the pasta and add to the pan with 2-3 tbsp of the cooking water.

Step 6✨ Serve

Toss everything together well, then divide between plates and serve, scattered with Parmesan.

👨‍🍳 Chef's Culinary Notes

Cultural Heritage

Pilchard Puttanesca reflects the timeless heritage of traditional Italian home cooking, relying on ingredient purity, fresh herbs, aromatic garlic, and rich extra-virgin olive oil. Prepared for generations for family gatherings and celebrations, it represents the heart of regional culinary identity.

Dietary Substitutions

To make this gluten-free, substitute with high-quality brown rice or corn-based pasta, reducing boiling time by 1–2 minutes as gluten-free pasta softens more quickly.

Chef Technique Tips

Always cook pasta until just shy of al dente in generously salted water, and reserve half a cup of the starchy cooking water before draining. Tossing the pasta with the sauce and a splash of this water creates a glossy, cohesive emulsion that clings to every bite.

Recipe Feedback & Reviews

Have you tried making this recipe? Share your experience, modifications, or tips with fellow cooks!

Please log in to leave feedback on this recipe.

Community Feedback (0)

No feedback yet. Be the first to share how this recipe turned out!