Authentic Pilchard Puttanesca Recipe - Italian Noodles

Authentic Italian Pasta recipe — Pilchard puttanesca. Imported from TheMealDB.

Medium
Updated March 14, 2026

4

servings

Medium

Difficulty

Authentic Pilchard Puttanesca Recipe - Italian Noodles

Ingredients

Servings:
4
  • 8 oz spaghetti (or any pasta of your choice)
  • 1 can pilchards (drained and flaked)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 can crushed tomatoes
  • 2 tbsp capers (rinsed)
  • 1 cup black olives (sliced)
  • 1 tsp red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 cup fresh parsley (chopped for garnish)

Instructions

6 steps

  1. Cook the Pasta

    In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente.

    Reserve some pasta water for later.
  2. Prepare the Sauce

    In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant.

    Do not burn the garlic.
  3. Add Tomatoes and Seasonings

    Stir in the crushed tomatoes, capers, black olives, red pepper flakes, and oregano. Simmer for 10 minutes.

    Adjust seasoning to your preference.
  4. Incorporate Pilchards

    Gently fold in the flaked pilchards and simmer for an additional 5 minutes.

    Be careful not to break the pilchards too much.
  5. Combine with Pasta

    Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet and toss to combine. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water.

    Mix well to ensure all pasta is coated.
  6. Serve

    Garnish with fresh parsley before serving. Enjoy your Pilchard Puttanesca!

    Serve with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

💡 Tips & Tricks

Use fresh pasta for a quicker cook time. Substitute pilchards with sardines for a different flavor. Pair with a side salad for a complete meal.

Storage & Reheating

❄️

Refrigerator

Up to 3 days in an airtight container

🧊

Freezer

Up to 2 months — thaw overnight in fridge

🔥

Reheat in a skillet or microwave until heated through.

What to Serve With

Complete your italian meal with these perfect pairings:

🍽️Garlic bread
🍽️Caesar salad
🍽️Roasted vegetables

About This Dish

Authentic Pilchard Puttanesca Recipe - Italian Noodles is a beloved dish from Italian cuisine.

Italian cuisine is renowned worldwide for its emphasis on simple, quality ingredients and time-honored techniques. Each region of Italy has its own distinct culinary traditions, passed down through generations.

This recipe is rated medium difficulty and uses 10 ingredients. Intermediate cooks will enjoy the balanced challenge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, any pasta can be used, such as penne or linguine.

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Nutrition Facts

4 serving(s) per recipe

Serving size1 serving
Calories450kcal
Total Fat15gg
Sodium800mgmg
Total Carbohydrates55gg
Dietary Fiber5gg
Total Sugars5gg
Protein20gg

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Values are approximate and may vary based on ingredients used.

Recipe Details

CuisineItalian
CategoryNoodles