This quick and flavorful pasta sauce delivers a punch of umami and acidity with every bite. Anchovies melt into the base, providing a deep savory backbone that pairs perfectly with briny capers and olives. The white wine adds brightness, while simmered tomatoes create a rich, cohesive texture. It’s an easy, satisfying dish that comes together in under 40 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights or casual gatherings. Serve over your favorite pasta for a restaurant-quality meal at home.
Sauteed Pasta Sauce
Description
This quick and flavorful pasta sauce delivers a punch of umami and acidity with every bite. Anchovies melt into the base, providing a deep savory backbone that pairs perfectly with briny capers and olives. The white wine adds brightness, while simmered tomatoes create a rich, cohesive texture. It&# 226;ÂÂs an easy, satisfying dish that comes together in under 40 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights or casual gatherings. Serve over your favorite pasta for a restaurant-quality meal at home.Ingredients
Directions
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Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
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In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat until very hot and almost smoking.
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Add the onion, garlic, and anchovies and sauté for 3 minutes, stirring frequently.
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Reduce the heat to medium and add the olives, capers, white wine, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
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Cook, stirring occasionally, until the white wine has reduced by half, about 5 minutes.
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Add the crushed tomatoes and simmer until the sauce has reduced slightly and thickened, about 20 minutes.
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Meanwhile, add the pasta to the pot of boiling salted water and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender but still firm to the bite, about 8 minutes.
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Drain the pasta, reserving about 1 cup of the cooking liquid.
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Once the tomato sauce has reduced, add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the sauce and stir to coat evenly.
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Add enough of the reserved pasta cooking liquid, 1/4 cup at a time, to moisten the sauce and help it cling to the pasta.
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Season with more salt and pepper to taste.
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Gently toss in the fresh basil and serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 4
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 138.7kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 11.4g18%
- Saturated Fat 1.6g8%
- Cholesterol 0.0mg0%
- Sodium 97502.1mg4063%
- Total Carbohydrate 5.0g2%
- Dietary Fiber 1.7g7%
- Sugars 2.2g
- Protein 0.6g2%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
Storage: Store leftover sauce and pasta separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of water or pasta water.
Substitutions: If you prefer not to use anchovies, you can omit them and add an extra pinch of salt and a dash of Worcestershire sauce for umami. Swap black olives for green olives if preferred.
Tips: Don't skip reserving the pasta water; the starch helps emulsify the sauce and bind it to the pasta. For a richer sauce, stir in a tablespoon of butter at the end.
