How to Make Pasta Puttanesca with Shrimp - the Recipe Method
Onions and Peppers. Heat a large pan to medium heat and add olive oil. Heat through. Add onion and peppers. Cook about 5 minutes to soften. Soppressata and Garlic. Add soppressata and garlic and cook 1 minute, stirring often. Anchovies and Olives. Add anchovies, red pepper flakes and olives. Mash the anchovies and stir until they incorporate into the mixture. Capers and Tomatoes. Add capers, tomatoes, black pepper, parsley and basil. Mix well. Cook the Sauce. Cover and cook about 15-20 minutes, allowing the tomatoes to break down and flavors to incorporate. You can let it simmer longer for more flavor to develop. I left mine simmer over an hour. Simmer the Sauce. Break up the tomatoes and stir to a rustic mix. At this point you can reduce heat to simmer while you prepare your noodles. Prepare the Noodles. Prepare the noodles as directed on the box, about 10 minutes or so boiling. Cook the Shrimp. While noodles are cooking, toss the shrimp into the sauce to cook. They only need a few minutes. Serve. Drain noodles and toss with the sauce. Serve with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped herbs.
Give it time for the flavors to truly develop. The longer you let it sit, the greater the flavors will be. Resist the temptation to eat too early! It’s all in the combination of brininess and saltiness of the anchovy fillets, the piquant capers, the richness of the soppressata, and the warmth of the chili flakes. When you bring all of these ingredients together with fresh tomatoes and let them simmer, a unique, highly satisfying sauce develops that is like no other. Tempting! As you’re making this sauce, allowing it to simmer, you’ll understand just how tempting it can be.
Olive Oil. Vegetables. Yellow onion, Italian sweet pepper chopped (or use several jalapeno peppers, chopped - red ones if you have them), garlic, black olives, capers, lots of tomatoes. Soppressata. Optional, if desired. Anchovy Fillets. Herbs. Basil, parsley. Salt and Black Pepper. To taste. Shrimp. Peeled and deveined. Pasta. I’m using spaghetti noodles, but use your favorite. Parmesan Cheese. For serving.
I hope you enjoy it! Extra red pepper flakes if you want it extra spicy. Have fun! This is my version. Got any questions? Ask away! I’m happy to help. If you enjoy this recipe, I hope you’ll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don’t forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I’ll be sure to share! Thanks! — Mike H.
