Mediterranean Spaghetti with Tomatoes, Olives, and Capers
This vibrant Mediterranean-inspired pasta dish is a delightful, meat-free take on classic puttanesca sauce, brimming with the bold flavors of tomatoes, briny olives, and tangy capers. A quick and easy recipe that can be enjoyed straight from the pan or served over al dente spaghetti or linguine, it's perfect for weeknight dinners or gatherings. With its captivating aroma and rich taste, even the pickiest eaters won't be able to resist. This dish not only satisfies hunger but also provides a wholesome meal packed with nutrients. Suitable for doubling and freezing, you'll always have a delicious option on hand!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
spaghetti or linguine
1 lb (cooked according to package instructions)
olive oil
1 tablespoon (for sautéing)
garlic cloves
3 medium (minced)
onion
1 small (coarsely chopped)
no-salt-added whole tomatoes
1 (16 ounce) can (with their juice, broken up)
medium pitted black olives
1 cup (about 48 olives) (drained, rinsed, and chopped into about 4 pieces each)
capers
3 tablespoons (drained and rinsed)
balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon (for flavoring)
tomato paste
1 tablespoon (for richness)
sugar
2 teaspoons (to balance acidity)
dried oregano
1/2 tablespoon (for seasoning)
Instructions
1
Begin by cooking the spaghetti or linguine according to the package instructions in a large pot of salted boiling water. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta cooking water before draining the pasta.
2
While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and sauté for approximately 5 minutes, or until they start to become translucent.
3
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, taking care not to let the garlic brown, as this will affect the flavor.
4
Add the canned whole tomatoes to the skillet, breaking them up with your hands or a spoon to incorporate them into the mixture.
5
Next, add the chopped black olives, rinsed capers, balsamic vinegar, tomato paste, sugar, and dried oregano. Stir to combine all ingredients thoroughly.
6
Let the sauce simmer for 5-10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly. If it becomes too thick, you can add a bit of the reserved pasta cooking water to reach your desired consistency.
7
Once the pasta is cooked and drained, toss it directly in the skillet with the sauce, ensuring the pasta is coated evenly. Serve hot.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mediterranean Spaghetti with Tomatoes, Olives, and Capers?
It is a vibrant, meat-free pasta dish inspired by classic puttanesca, featuring bold flavors from tomatoes, briny olives, and tangy capers.
Is this recipe suitable for vegans?
Yes, this recipe is explicitly tagged as vegan and contains no animal products.
Is this recipe vegetarian?
Yes, this is a meat-free dish that is perfect for vegetarians.
What types of pasta work best for this recipe?
The recipe recommends using either spaghetti or linguine cooked to al dente.
How much pasta do I need?
You will need 1 lb of spaghetti or linguine.
How long should I sauté the onions?
Sauté the chopped onions for approximately 5 minutes, or until they start to become translucent.
How many garlic cloves are required?
The recipe calls for 3 medium minced garlic cloves.
Should I let the garlic brown?
No, you should cook the garlic for 1-2 minutes and take care not to let it brown, as this will affect the flavor.
What kind of tomatoes should I use?
Use one 16-ounce can of no-salt-added whole tomatoes with their juice.
How do I prepare the canned whole tomatoes?
Break them up with your hands or a spoon to incorporate them into the mixture.
How many olives are included in the recipe?
The recipe uses 1 cup of medium pitted black olives, which is about 48 olives.
How should the olives be prepared?
They should be drained, rinsed, and chopped into about 4 pieces each.
Why should I rinse the capers?
Capers are typically brined; rinsing them helps control the salt levels in the dish.
How much capers does the recipe call for?
The recipe requires 3 tablespoons of drained and rinsed capers.
What is the purpose of balsamic vinegar in this sauce?
One tablespoon of balsamic vinegar is used to add a depth of flavor.
Why is tomato paste added to the recipe?
One tablespoon of tomato paste is included to provide richness to the sauce.
Is there any sugar in this recipe?
Yes, 2 teaspoons of sugar are added to balance the acidity of the tomatoes and vinegar.
What dried herb is used for seasoning?
The recipe uses 1/2 tablespoon of dried oregano.
How long should the sauce simmer?
Let the sauce simmer for 5-10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken.
Why should I reserve pasta cooking water?
Reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water allows you to thin the sauce if it becomes too thick.
Can this recipe be frozen?
Yes, this dish is suitable for doubling and freezing for later use.
Is this a quick meal?
Yes, it is tagged as a quick meal and an easy recipe suitable for weeknight dinners.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 11 ingredients total for this Mediterranean spaghetti.
What size onion should I use?
The recipe calls for 1 small onion, coarsely chopped.
Is this recipe healthy?
Yes, it is described as a wholesome meal packed with nutrients and is tagged as healthy.
Can I serve this straight from the pan?
Yes, the sauce can be enjoyed straight from the pan or tossed with pasta.
What is the first step in the instructions?
Begin by cooking the spaghetti or linguine in a large pot of salted boiling water.
How do I finish the dish?
Once the pasta is drained, toss it directly in the skillet with the sauce to coat it evenly and serve hot.
What is the texture of the finished sauce?
The sauce is thick and chunky, featuring broken-up tomatoes, chopped olives, and capers.
Is this recipe good for pickier eaters?
The description notes that even pickiest eaters won't be able to resist its captivating aroma and rich taste.