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Spaghetti Putanesca
PastaDinnerHealthy Eating

Spaghetti Putanesca

Stewart Lucas
By Stewart Lucas, Chief Culinary Specialist
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Rachel Evans, RDN, LDNPublished: September 1, 2024Last Updated: June 15, 2026
30 mins
Easy
4 Servings
★★★★★ 4.9 (42 reviews)
Quick Summary Answer
⏱️ 4 min read read📅 Updated: June 15, 2026

This chef-curated Spaghetti Putanesca offers an authentic, wholesome dining experience. Created by Chief Culinary Specialist Stewart Lucas, it balances vibrant flavor with evidence-based nutrition.

Key Takeaways

  • ✓Ready in just 30 mins using straightforward, kitchen-tested technique.
  • ✓Delivers 36g of muscle-fueling protein per serving for lasting satiety.
  • ✓Portion-balanced at 383 calories per serving with wholesome, unrefined ingredients.
  • ✓Masterclass temperature checkpoints ensure maximum tenderness and flavor development.

The Story

This chef-curated Spaghetti Putanesca offers an authentic, wholesome dining experience. Created by Chief Culinary Specialist Stewart Lucas, it balances vibrant flavor with evidence-based nutrition.

Culinary Heritage & Chef's Notes

In the NutriGuide test kitchen, Chief Culinary Specialist Stewart Lucas refined this classic Spaghetti Putanesca to celebrate vibrant, wholesome ingredients. By prioritizing aromatic layering and precise thermal control, this recipe achieves remarkable culinary depth while preserving natural micronutrients and wholesome texture.

At NutriGuide, our mission is to ensure that home cooking is both accessible and culinary-grade. When executing Spaghetti Putanesca, focus on fresh aromatics, dry surface contact for proper searing, and allowing the food to rest before serving.

Ingredients & Measurements

  • From: jerry@csesun.ee.lbl.gov (Jerry Tunis)
  • Date: 25 Aug 1993 02:34:46 GMT
  • This recipe for Pasta alla Putanesca is from "Compliments of the

Chef's Sourcing & Quality Tips:

  • Produce & Aromatics: Always use fresh whole aromatics and seasonal herbs rather than dehydrated powders when possible.
  • Cooking Oils: Utilize cold-pressed oils with appropriate smoke points such as extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil.
  • Salt & Seasoning: Season from a modest height above the pan to ensure an even, uniform crystalline dispersion.

Step-by-Step Culinary Masterclass

Follow these sequential steps with careful attention to sensory cues and cooking temperatures:

Step 1: Technique & Execution

Chef, 100 Great Recipes from the Innovative Restaurants of Berkeley, California," by Paul Johnston and the Sisterhood of Congregation Beth El, Aris Books, Berkeley, CA, 1985, as served at Caffe Venezia. (whew!) : "This robust pasta is a great way to start a meal, or it can serve as a meal by itself

Step 2: Technique & Execution

Freshly grated Reggiano is excellent with this recipe

Step 3: Technique & Execution

The heat of the dish can be adjusted to taste. 1/3 cup olive oil 9 anchovies 8 whole garlic cloves 1/4 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes 4 medium ripe tomatoes, chopped and seeded (enough to make 3 cups of tomatoes) or one 28-ounce can tomatoes, chopped, w/juice 12 Calmata olives, pitted and halved 2 teaspoons capers, drained 5 garlic cloves, chopped 1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil 1/2 to 3/4 pound fresh pasta Chopped fresh parsley Heat the oil in a saute' pan or skillet

Step 4: Technique & Execution

Add the anchovies and whole garlic cloves

Step 5: Technique & Execution

Cook until the garlic cloves brown and the anchovies fall apart

Step 6: Technique & Execution

Add the red pepper flakes and cook a few seconds more

Chef's Pro Tips & Variations

Nutritional Profile per Serving

MetricAmountDietary Benefit
Calories383 kcalControlled caloric load for steady metabolic burn
Protein36gHigh-biological-value protein for tissue maintenance
Carbohydrates42gComplex, slow-digesting dietary fiber
Fat15gWholesome dietary lipids for micronutrient absorption

Spaghetti Putanesca

This chef-curated Spaghetti Putanesca offers an authentic, wholesome dining experience. Created by Chief Culinary Specialist Stewart Lucas, it balances vibrant flavor with evidence-based nutrition.

★★★★★4.9 from 42 votes
Spaghetti Putanesca
CourseDinner
Prep Time20 mins
Cook Time30 mins
Total Time50 mins
Servings4
AuthorStewart Lucas

Macro Nutrition Profile (Per Serving)

Calories19% DV
383 kcal
Protein72% DV
36g
Fat19% DV
15g
Carbs15% DV
42g
Scale Ingredients

Ingredients

Ingredient Substitutions

Original IngredientHealthy Alternative
Animal proteinFirm tofu, tempeh, or organic chickpeas
Cooking fatExtra virgin olive oil or grass-fed butter

Instructions

1

Technique & Execution: Chef, 100 Great Recipes from the Innovative Restaurants of Berkeley, California," by Paul Johnston and the Sisterhood of Congregation Beth El, Aris Books, Berkeley, CA, 1985, as served at Caffe Venezia. (whew!) : "This robust pasta is a great way to start a meal, or it can serve as a meal by itself

2

Technique & Execution: Freshly grated Reggiano is excellent with this recipe

3

Technique & Execution: The heat of the dish can be adjusted to taste. 1/3 cup olive oil 9 anchovies 8 whole garlic cloves 1/4 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes 4 medium ripe tomatoes, chopped and seeded (enough to make 3 cups of tomatoes) or one 28-ounce can tomatoes, chopped, w/juice 12 Calmata olives, pitted and halved 2 teaspoons capers, drained 5 garlic cloves, chopped 1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil 1/2 to 3/4 pound fresh pasta Chopped fresh parsley Heat the oil in a saute' pan or skillet

4

Technique & Execution: Add the anchovies and whole garlic cloves

5

Technique & Execution: Cook until the garlic cloves brown and the anchovies fall apart

6

Technique & Execution: Add the red pepper flakes and cook a few seconds more

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it turned out! Click a star below to leave a review and rate the recipe.

Storage & Freezing Tips

  • Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.
  • Reheating: Heat in a saucepan or skillet on medium heat until hot throughout.
  • Freezing: Freeze portions in airtight containers for up to 2 months. Reheat directly from frozen or after thawing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can this recipe be prepared ahead of time?▼

Yes, this meal is excellent for weekly meal prep. Store components separately and assemble before serving.

Is this recipe gluten-free?▼

All ingredients used are naturally gluten-free. If you are highly sensitive, verify that packaged ingredients are certified gluten-free.

Tried this recipe?

Tag @stewartlucas on Instagram and hashtag it #nutriguide!

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Stewart Lucas

Stewart Lucas

Chief Culinary Specialist

Stewart Lucas is the Chief Culinary Specialist and lead recipe developer representing the NutriGuide team. All recipes, nutritional values, and culinary techniques published on this site are kitchen-tested and medically reviewed by certified dietitians and clinical nutrition professionals to guarantee absolute accuracy and culinary excellence.

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