One-Pan Pasta Puttanesca | CookOS

One-Pan Pasta Puttanesca

Name: One-Pan Pasta Puttanesca
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 2 tbsp olive oil; 3 cloves garlic, sliced; 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes; 1 lb spaghetti; 1 cup Castelvetrano olives, pitted and halved; 2 tbsp capers, drained; 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved; 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped and divided; Kosher salt, to taste; Freshly ground black pepper, to taste; 4 cups chicken stock; 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated, plus more for serving

One-pan pasta puttanesca is a quick Italian weeknight meal where spaghetti cooks directly in a single skillet with briny olives, capers, cherry tomatoes, and garlic. All ingredients combine in one pot, making it both flavorful and minimal cleanup.

🌍Italian 🏷️Pasta puttanesca 🏷️One-pan pasta 🏷️Spaghetti 🏷️Easy dinner Weeknight meal

About·Privacy·Terms

🏷️

0:00

-0:00

Disabled

Auto

0.25x

0.5x

0.75x

Normal

1.25x

1.5x

1.75x

TikTok

Total

25 min

Servings

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$23–$38

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok

0:00

-0:00

Disabled

Auto

0.25x

0.5x

0.75x

Normal

1.25x

1.5x

1.75x

TikTok

Ingredients

2 tbsp olive oil
3 cloves garlic, sliced
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1 lb spaghetti
1 cup Castelvetrano olives, pitted and halved
2 tbsp capers, drained
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped and divided
Kosher salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
4 cups chicken stock
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated, plus more for serving

12 Ingredients

Delivery in as fast as one hour.^*

Prices vary by store

^*Service fees apply. Instacart^® and the Instacart logo are registered trademarks of Maplebear Inc. d/b/a Instacart.

Instructions

1
In a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil and sauté the sliced garlic until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
2
Add the crushed red pepper flakes and stir for another 30 seconds.
3
Add the dry spaghetti to the pan, followed by the halved Castelvetrano olives, capers, halved cherry tomatoes, and most of the fresh parsley.
4
Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
5
Pour in the chicken stock.
6
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cook, stirring often to prevent the pasta from sticking, until the pasta is al dente and most of the liquid has been absorbed into a sauce, about 10-12 minutes.
7
Once the pasta is cooked, stir in the remaining fresh parsley and the freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
8
Plate the pasta and top with the remaining sauce, olives, and tomatoes from the pan.
9
Garnish with additional fresh parsley and Parmesan cheese if desired before serving.

Was this recipe helpful?

Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Use a large, deep skillet (12 inches or more) to prevent overflow as the pasta cooks and absorbs liquid.
Add the pasta in a single layer at first, then stir once it begins to soften so it doesn't stick to the bottom.
Taste the pasta around 9–10 minutes; if it's not yet al dente and liquid has evaporated, add water 1/4 cup at a time.
Reserve half the fresh parsley for garnish to keep its bright color and fresh flavor rather than cooking it into the dish.

Substitutions

Castelvetrano olives → Kalamata olives (more robust, briny flavor)
Cherry tomatoes → Diced canned San Marzano tomatoes plus 1 tbsp tomato paste (use 1 cup; adjust water accordingly)
Spaghetti → Linguine or penne (cooking time may vary slightly)
Fresh parsley → Fresh basil (add half at the end to preserve its flavor)

Storage & make-ahead

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of water or broth.

Common Questions

Do I need to cook the pasta separately before adding it to the skillet?

No. The dry spaghetti cooks directly in the skillet with the other ingredients and enough liquid from the tomatoes and cooking process to reach al dente.

Can I use regular black olives instead of Castelvetrano olives?

Yes, though Castelvetrano olives are milder and buttery. Black olives will add a stronger, more briny flavor to the dish.

How much water should I add to the skillet?

Add enough water (typically 3–4 cups) so the dry pasta is just covered. The pasta will absorb liquid as it cooks; add more if needed to prevent sticking.

Can I make this dish ahead?

This dish is best served fresh, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of water.