Vegan Puttanesca Spaghetti is a tasty recipe that is based upon an Italian classic.
This pasta tastes like a rich savory tomato flavored sauce with a bit of salt and seasonings.

Vegan Puttanesca Spaghetti is based upon the popular Italian classic.
As pasta sauces go, this one is rather simple to make.
I like how easy it is to get the bold and delicious flavors of this pasta dish which is both vegan and Mediterranean diet friendly.
Did you try my recipe for Vegan Mediterranean Diet Focaccia Bread?
Like with this recipe, that focaccia bread is also both vegan and MedDiet friendly. Both this pasta recipe and that bread recipe would go nicely when served together.
To make this recipe you will need capers. You can find a selection of capers here.
Puttanesca refers to a pasta dish that was first made in Naples.
It is a simple, yet flavorful recipe that features the bold flavors of anchovies and capers.
Some folks say that the origins of this dish stem from a certain kind of working girl trying for clients. However, this is a tasty sauce that is most commonly served with spaghetti noodles.
As mentioned, anchovies are an important ingredient in classic puttanesca.
The anchovies bring a good amount of salt to the recipe as a source of flavor.
Instead of using anchovies, we are relying upon the capers and the olives to make up for the missing anchovies. Additional seasonings can also be added for the flavor.
Tips for making Pasta Puttanesca.
This classic recipe is normally made with spaghetti. Feel free to use the spaghetti of your choice however, as some folk prefer a gluten free or specific kind of noodle.
Here are some more great tips for you.
- This recipe works great when the pasta is cooked al dente. This is because al dente noodles have the perfect flavor and structure to complement this bold sauce.
- Al dente pasta will hold up better if you simply drain it after it cooks. Some folks like to rinse the pasta with cool water to stop the heat however, this can result in soft or chewy pasta.
- While fresh tomatoes are almost always preferred in a recipe such as this one, you can get away with the canned variety. I like to use crushed or diced or sometimes a combination.
How to store leftover pasta sauce.
In the event that you have leftovers, you can store the cooled sauce in a glass jar or freeze it in zip top bag. I prefer a glass jar to a plastic container as sometimes the containers can absorb the flavor and colors.
By the way, while you are here you may also be interested in these ideas.
- Vegan Lemon Garlic Pasta
- Easy Vegan Kung Pao Brussels Sprouts
- Vegan Ramen with Shitake Mushrooms
- Roasted Tomatoes With Goat Cheese Pasta
- Vegan Meatloaf with Lentils
- Marinated Portobello Mushroom Burgers
- Vegan Sweet Potato Chocolate Cake
- Easy Chocolate Chip Hummus
- How to Follow the Mediterranean Diet.
👉Be sure to follow me on Pinterest| Facebook | and Instagram.
Also, subscribe to my weekly newsletter!
–KEEP SCROLLING–
About this recipe for Puttanesca pasta.
This is a simple recipe for Puttanesca pasta.
Instead of the usual anchovies, this vegan recipe uses capers.
This is an inexpensive and quick recipe to make.
Preparation time for this recipe is about five minutes while cook time takes about 20.
This recipe serves four.
Ingredients needed to make vegan puttanesca.
• Spaghetti. This pasta should be cooked al dente to complement the flavor of this sauce.
• Olive Oil. Extra virgin can be used as long you are using olive oil.
• Garlic. This can be crushed or chopped.
• Tomatoes. I like both (canned) crushed and diced tomatoes for texture. You are welcome to use either or both.
• Olives. Black olives work best and they should be pitted and somewhat quartered.
• Capers. The capers are an important ingredient in this sauce especially since we are not adding the typical anchovies that are expected.
• Seasonings as desired. This can include Italian Seasonings, Mediterranean Diet Seasoning Blend, Salt, and/or Pepper.
How to make Vegan Puttanesca Spaghetti
Start by cooking the pasta in salted water to al dente. Do not rinse, simple drain the pasta.
Meanwhile cook the sauce.
- Preheat the olive oil on medium heat in a large skillet for one minute. Then add the garlic and sauté it until tender (about two and a half minutes).
- Next, add the tomatoes, olives, and capers to the skillet.
- Bring the ingredients to a boil , stirring occasionally.
- Once the sauce begins to bubble, you can turn the heat down to low and simmer for eight minutes, stirring as needed. This is also a good time to season the sauce as desired.
- To serve the pasta, place the pasta in a large serving bowl and toss it with the sauce.
Thanks so much for visiting!
If you decide to make this recipe, please stop back and let me know how it turned out for you. Also, if you have any tips or tweaks to the recipe to share, please do so in the comment section below. My readers like to stop by periodically for updates on the recipes. Reading the comments below is helpful to these readers and hopefully to you too!!
Looking for a recipe that is not on my site?
Please let me know and I will on getting that recipe for you.
Happy baking, eating, and enjoying life!
Nutritional Information is only an estimate and can vary especially with ingredients that are used.
Vegan Puttanesca Spaghetti, a tasty vegan pasta recipe based upon a classic Italian recipe made with capers.
Vegan Puttanesca Spaghetti
Ingredients
- 1 lb Spaghetti
- 3 tbsp Olive Oil
- 2 Garlic Cloves
- 45 oz Tomatoes – see post for details.
- ½ cup Olives – chopped
- 2 tbsp Capers
Seasonings to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the olive oil on medium heat in a large skillet for one minute. Then add the garlic and sauté it until tender (about two and a half minutes).
- Next, add the tomatoes, olives, and capers to the skillet. Bring the ingredients to a boil , stirring occasionally. Once the sauce begins to bubble, you can turn the heat down to low and simmer for eight minutes, stirring as needed. This is also a good time to season the sauce as desired.
- To serve the pasta, place the pasta in a large serving bowl and toss it with the sauce.
Recipe Notes
Please see recipe post for further details on this recipe.
Nutritional Information is only an estimate and can vary especially with ingredients that are used. See Foodwineandlove.com for details on this recipe.
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This means that the links on this website, and specifically on this post, that lead to other sites may be affiliate links.
Nutrition
Please note: Nutritional data has been calculated using a tool that comes with this recipe card and not by me. This means that Nutritional Information is only an estimate and can vary especially with ingredients that you use. The accuracy of this tool may differ from other tools as expected. Also note that there is no instructional value to the video that may be attached to this recipe. It is only there for visual pleasure. For more information about the images in this recipe, please refer the the recipe instructions. Thank you!
Follow Me
Quick Directions for this recipe.
- Make the spaghetti.
Prepare the spaghetti al dente method.
- Sauté the ingredients to make the sauce.
Following the directions, sauté the ingredients to make the sauce.
- Serve the dish.
Toss the sauce and pasta together and serve.