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    Home ▸ Vegan Main Dishes

    Vegan Pasta Puttanesca Recipe

    Last modified: October 5, 2022. Originally posted: March 24, 2022 By Sophia DeSantis

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    Overlay text on a collage of a bowl of pasta puttanesca and the sauce being made
    A white pasta bowl with penne covered in a puttanesca sauce and chopped parsley

    This vegan pasta puttanesca recipe is an easy and incredible meal to impress everyone! Feels and tastes like a restaurant, but made as quick as fast food!

    I love changing up my pasta flavors and this is one of the best. It doesn't hurt that it's made in under 30 minutes!

    White bowl with penne pasta mixed with puttanesca sauce and parsley
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    This post was originally published on October 20, 2016.

    This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Terra's Kitchen. The opinions and text are all mine.

    We love Italian food so options are important so we don't have the same meal over and over. While our tomato marinara sauce is a fam favorite, the best and most surprising part, is that our kids love this vegan puttanesca sauce too!

    How to Make Vegan Puttanesca Sauce

    This sauce is filled with amazing flavorbomb ingredients. You'd think by taking a glance that it would be too much, but the ingredients pair perfectly together! The added bonus is how quick and easy it is to throw together.

    It is made of some very basic pantry type items, so if you're looking for a pantry recipe, it's a good one!

    Ingredients

    There are some traditional basic ingredients used in puttanesca sauce, but one of them, anchovies, is not vegan. However anchovies main attribution is the salt they contribute. So it's easy to substitute them.

    Since capers have a similar flavor profile, and they already are used in puttanesca, they make a perfect substitute. Simply just use a little more to make up for the loss of anchovies.

    Combine them with the other spices and flavors and you get a final product with total awesomeness!

    • Crushed tomatoes
    • Garlic
    • Fresh parsley 
    • Kalamata olives
    • Capers
    • Seasonings
    • Penne pasta
    • Vegan Parmesan Cheese 
    Penne pasta and parsley next to bowls of ingredients needed to make pasta puttanesca on a wooden surface

    Step by Step Instructions

    Here are the few steps you need to get this done in under 30 minutes:

    1. Combine the tomatoes, garlic, red pepper and salt with oil or broth and let it simmer to thicken.
    2. Add in the olives, capers, thyme and parsley.
    3. Toss with the pasta.
    4. Serve!
    Wooden spoon mixing tomato sauce in a pan.
    Tomato sauce with parsley, herbs and olives in a pan
    Wooden spoon mixing pasta with puttanesca sauce in a pan
    Fork taking a bite of penne pasta with puttanesca sauce from a bowl

    This recipe originated from a partnership I did with a meal service called Terra's Kitchen. Unfortunately they are no longer in business but I felt I needed to mention them since it was not my original creation.

    Serving Suggestions

    While pasta is the obvious choice here. Any type of pasta works, even a gluten-free alternative you love. But you can also serve this on top of many other things! Here are a few things we've tried:

    • Spaghetti squash
    • Blanched zucchini noodles
    • Rice
    • Quinoa
    • In a veggie lasagna, simple sub this for one of the layers or double it to use as the tomato sauce base

    This would also go great with salad! You can use an actual salad recipe or simply add a side salad tossed with balsamic, sea salt and a drizzle of oil or broth if you are oil free.

    Here are some salad recipes to try if you want something a little more involved:

    • Lemon Kale Salad
    • Watermelon Feta Mint Salad
    • Grilled Romaine with Vegan Caesar Dressing
    • Avocado Kale Salad

    Topping Ideas

    Dress up this dish with extra flavor with these plant based garnishes:

    • Parmesan cheese (Just do yourself a favor and always have this on hand!)
    • Feta Cheese
    • Ricotta Cheese
    • Or, drizzle with Creamy Vegan Alfredo Sauce

    How to Add Protein

    If you want to make this an all encompassing meal and add a serving of protein, there are a few things I would suggest:

    • Store bought veggie based sausage.
    • These chickpea sausage crumbles.
    • Add some white beans to the sauce, you can add canned ones at the end.
    • Crumble up some tempeh and add it in with the tomatoes at the beginning to give it an almost bolognese like feel.

    Common Questions

    Why is it called puttanesca?

    There are actually many stories about where this name came from. Some resources say it was first called "alla marinara" and then the name changed after the second World War.

    Other sources say it originated in the brothels, which is what the word "puttana" means.

    And yet others say it was invented one night when the owner of a restaurant wanted to feed his hungry customers and simply threw together what he had.

    What does puttanesca taste like?

    Puttanesca sauce has a very salty bold and rich flavor. It combines the saltiness of the olives, capers and anchovies (if you use them) into the tomato sauce to result in the delicious end result.

    Can Vegans eat capers?

    Yes! Capers are simply flower buds that have been pickled. So they originate from a plant.

    Is Puttanesca healthy?

    Yes! It is made of whole food ingredients and has some great nutritional benefits. The only thing to watch is if you have issues with sodium as it has a higher salt content.

    More Vegan Italian Recipes

    If you love Italian food, here are some other delicious plant based recipes to try:

    • Vegetable Lasagna
    • Vegan Pasta Bake
    • 3 Ingredient Vegan Pasta Sauce 
    • Vegan Butternut Squash Lasagna Roll Ups
    • Italian Wedding Soup
    • Vegan Alfredo Sauce
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    White bowl with penne pasta mixed with puttanesca sauce and parsley

    Vegan Pasta Puttanesca Recipe

    Sophia DeSantis
    This vegan pasta puttanesca recipe is an easy and incredible meal to impress everyone! Feels and tastes like a restaurant, but made as quick as fast food!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Cook Time 25 mins
    Total Time 25 mins
    Course 30 Minutes or Less, Main Course
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 2
    Calories 543 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    For the pasta:

    • 2 cups crushed tomatoes
    • 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
    • ¼ teaspoon sea salt
    • 1-3 teaspoons red pepper flakes , optional depending on how spicy you want it
    • drizzle oil for sautéing , or broth if oil free
    • ½ cup chopped parsley , save 2 tablespoons for garnish
    • ¼ cup chopped kalamata olives
    • 1 tablespoon capers
    • 1 tablespoon dried thyme
    • 8 ounces penne pasta , gluten-free if needed or other shape of choice
    • Vegan Parmesan Cheese , optional for serving

    Instructions
     

    • Add tomatoes, garlic, red pepper and salt with oil or broth into a pan and simmer 5 minutes or until the sauce thickens slightly.
    • Stir in olives, capers, thyme and all but 2 tablespoons parsley (save for garnish).
    • Cook 1 more minute or until thoroughly heated.
    • Cook pasta according to directions on the box.
    • Add pasta to the hot sauce and toss.
    • Garnish with parsley and top with Parmesan if desired and serve!

    Notes

    • You can serve this with many things, like spaghetti squash if you don't want to do pasta.
    • Parmesan is optional but highly recommended
    • Nutrition facts do not include optional items

    Recipe by Veggies Don’t Bite, visit our site for more great plant-based recipes.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 543kcalCarbohydrates: 107gProtein: 20gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 986mgPotassium: 1065mgFiber: 11gSugar: 14gVitamin A: 2223IUVitamin C: 44mgCalcium: 181mgIron: 8mg

    Nutrition and metric information should be considered an estimate.

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    Reader Interactions

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    1. Sarah

      March 26, 2022 at 7:19 am

      I love how easy this was! Definitely adding to the regular rotation.

      Reply
    2. Anjali @ Vegetarian Gastronomy

      November 02, 2016 at 1:06 pm

      Yum!! This pasta sounds delicious...those olives and tomatoes! I love veg friendly meal plans out there. This container it came in is outstanding!

      Reply
      • veggiesdontbite

        November 06, 2016 at 12:01 pm

        It was delicious! It's an amazing company!

        Reply
    3. Veena

      October 29, 2016 at 6:07 am

      Oh I wish there was something like that at my end. Especially on busy week days when you really have not time on hands.

      Reply
      • veggiesdontbite

        October 29, 2016 at 7:46 am

        Perfect for busy days!

        Reply
    4. David Crowley

      October 29, 2016 at 5:44 am

      I know what you mean about foodies needing a break sometimes! Sounds like a great service, the ingredients look very fresh and flavorful.

      Reply
      • veggiesdontbite

        October 29, 2016 at 7:46 am

        We are people too! LOL! It is very fresh and flavorful!

        Reply
    5. Platter Talk

      October 29, 2016 at 1:34 am

      I've heard of this service before but have never tried it. It's great.

      Reply
      • veggiesdontbite

        October 29, 2016 at 7:45 am

        Highly recommend it!! It's awesome.

        Reply
    6. Emma @ Supper in the Suburbs

      October 29, 2016 at 1:21 am

      I could really do with this. Our life is way too hectic atm and we aren't eating very well. Would love to come home to a dinner like this!

      Reply
      • veggiesdontbite

        October 29, 2016 at 7:45 am

        Isn't it awesome! So fresh and healthy! Hope things settle down.

        Reply
    7. Just Jo

      October 28, 2016 at 11:41 pm

      This recipe look absolutely beautiful - you definitely showcased the Terra products extremely well. That "vessel" is a seriously cool way to deliver the meals!

      Reply
      • veggiesdontbite

        October 29, 2016 at 7:44 am

        Thanks so much! The vessel was awesome!

        Reply
    8. The Vegan 8

      October 22, 2016 at 12:32 pm

      I had never heard of these before and they sound so amazing! I love, love that they send the ingredients so you can make it yourself instead of those pre-made meals that are full of sodium and crapola. This sounds fantastic and would make busy days so much easier, yet still fresh and healthy! That recipe sounds divine, so simple and fresh. I definitely need to try that! LOVE arugula and any excuse to use it is a win in my book! So cool you got to try them out!

      Reply
      • veggiesdontbite

        October 23, 2016 at 8:56 pm

        It's such a great service for those that want fresh and healthy but don't have the time! It's a type A dream. You would love the organization of it!! LOL!

        Reply
    9. Linda @ Veganosity

      October 21, 2016 at 11:00 am

      This is so great for people who don't like to cook, or who don't have time to plan a menu. It looks like it would also be a great way to lift some weights. That container looks heavy-haha!

      Reply
      • veggiesdontbite

        October 23, 2016 at 8:57 pm

        It totally is!! Ha! Yes, it's heavy but durable and so awesome!

        Reply
    10. dixya @food, pleasure, and health

      October 20, 2016 at 7:47 pm

      i'd definitely try something like this esp when i have no time to plan or think of my meals yet want to enjoy cooking and eating at home!

      Reply
      • veggiesdontbite

        October 23, 2016 at 8:59 pm

        Yes! It's perfect for that!

        Reply
    11. Mandy

      October 20, 2016 at 6:07 pm

      What an amazing service!!! To have everything prepped for you and ready to go sounds incredible...especially on the super busy days...or if you're a mom, that basically means every day ? That vessel is insane!!!! It's like a mini, well stocked, and very organized fridge. This recipe sounds delicious! Pretty much anything with kalamata olives will get my approval!

      Reply
      • veggiesdontbite

        October 23, 2016 at 9:00 pm

        Oh it's amazing! A type A organization dream. It is literally the perfect thing for those busy people or those that just don't like prepping meals but want the healthy lifestyle!

        Reply
    12. Cassie

      October 20, 2016 at 3:48 pm

      This looks like the vegan version of Blue Apron! LOVE their recipe ideas. The pasta sauce for this recipe looks phenomenal!

      Reply
      • veggiesdontbite

        October 23, 2016 at 9:01 pm

        It isn't all vegan, but they have tons of veggie and vegan options! And everything is so fresh and so easy to throw together! Huge recommendation from me!

        Reply

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