Save A vibrant, bold pasta dish featuring ditalini tossed in a garlicky tomato sauce with olives, capers, and anchovies for a classic southern Italian flavor.
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Ingredients
- Pasta: 350 g (12 oz) ditalini pasta
- Sauce: 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 4 anchovy fillets, finely chopped 3 garlic cloves, minced 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes 1 (400 g / 14 oz) can diced tomatoes 80 g (1/2 cup) pitted black olives, roughly chopped 2 tbsp capers, rinsed and drained 1/2 tsp dried oregano Freshly ground black pepper, to taste Salt, to taste
- Finishing: 2 tbsp fresh flat leaf parsley, chopped Zest of 1 lemon (optional)
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Instructions
- Step 1:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the ditalini pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.
- Step 2:
- While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the anchovies and cook, stirring, until they melt into the oil (about 1 minute).
- Step 3:
- Add the garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 4:
- Stir in the diced tomatoes, olives, capers, and oregano. Simmer for 8 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens.
- Step 5:
- Season the sauce with black pepper and salt (if needed anchovies, olives, and capers are salty).
- Step 6:
- Add the drained pasta to the sauce, tossing to coat. Add reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce.
- Step 7:
- Remove from heat. Stir in fresh parsley and lemon zest, if using.
- Step 8:
- Serve immediately, garnished with extra parsley if desired.
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Required Tools
Large pot Large skillet Wooden spoon Colander Zester (optional)
Allergen Information
Contains fish (anchovies) and gluten (pasta). Double check all ingredient labels for potential allergens.
Nutritional Information
Calories: 410 Total Fat: 9 g Carbohydrates: 68 g Protein: 13 g
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Enjoy this flavorful southern Italian classic perfect for weeknight dinners.
Recipe FAQ
- → What type of pasta works best with this dish?
Ditalini pasta is ideal for holding the sauce, but small shapes like rigatoni or penne can be used as alternatives.
- → How can I adjust the spiciness?
Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to suit your heat preference or omit them for a milder flavor.
- → Can anchovies be left out?
Yes, omitting anchovies creates a vegetarian-friendly version; adding a splash of soy sauce can enhance umami.
- → What is the purpose of reserving pasta water?
Reserved pasta water helps loosen the sauce and improves its ability to cling to the pasta.
- → What herbs complement the dish?
Fresh flat-leaf parsley adds brightness, and dried oregano within the sauce enhances the southern Italian profile.
- → Is this dish suitable for pescatarian diets?
Yes, the inclusion of anchovies and seafood-friendly ingredients aligns with pescatarian preferences.
