One Pot Puttanesca with Chickpeas

5 from 2 votes
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Easy One Pot Puttanesca with Chickpeas comes together in 30 minutes for a hearty, delicious weeknight dinner. Serve with crusty bread and a simple side salad.

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One pot puttanesca with chickpeas in a blue bowl with a spoon resting on the right side.

This recipe post is proudly sponsored by DeLallo. All opinions are my own.

Read more: One Pot Puttanesca with Chickpeas

Why You’ll Love this Puttanesca

If you ask me, a One Pan Pasta is the secret to winning weeknights.

Especially during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, I gravitate towards recipes that require minimal time, labor, and cleanup. (Bonus points for an ingredient list made mostly of pantry staples!)

Enter, One Pot Puttanesca with Chickpeas.

If you’re not familiar with puttanesca, it’s a southern Italian sauce made of punchy, briny ingredients like anchovies, olives, and capers in a chunky tomato base. 

It’s traditionally served with spaghetti, however I love using a small, tubular pasta, such as Ditalini, which is similar in size to chickpeas. (Fun fact: Ditalini means “small thimbles” in Italian.)

When it comes to Italian cooking, I always look to DeLallo for the most high-quality ingredients. My pantry stays stocked with DeLallo sauces, tomato products, and pastas to help curate the most authentic Italian experience.

This recipe is naturally dairy-free, however if you want to add a smattering of Parmigiano Reggiano, I won’t tell the puttanesca purists.

I will, however, encourage you to break out a loaf of crusty bread to sop up any remaining sauce.

The Ingredients

Recipe ingredients arranged on a wooden board with labels.
  • Garlic: The recipe calls for 4 to 6 cloves, depending on your love of garlic. (I always use at least 6!)
  • Anchovies: Anchovies add a burst of umami to this pasta without any actual fishy flavor.
  • DeLallo Tomato Paste: I love that this tomato paste is double concentrated for intense tomato flavor and color.
  • Olives: Look for Kalamata olives in oil, which have a smooth, meaty texture.
  • Capers: For a burst of lemony tang and brightness.
  • DeLallo San Marzano Style Whole Peeled Tomatoes: These sun-ripened Italian plum tomatoes are harvested in the Naples region of Italy. Grown from San Marzano style seeds and handpicked, these red-ripe tomatoes are vibrant and sweet with a meaty texture. They really elevate the flavor and consistency of the sauce!
  • DeLallo Ditalini Pasta: Ditalini are small tube-shaped pasta with ridges. I always choose DeLallo pasta, which is made in Italy with an exclusive blend of the highest quality durum wheat. It’s extruded with bronze dies for rough surface area made to capture sauces.
  • Basil: I like to add fresh basil springs to the sauce, and garnish with torn basil for serving.
  • Chickpeas: For a one-two punch of protein and fiber.

For a complete list of recipe ingredients and quantities, see the recipe card below.

A grey surface with two styled bowls of puttanesca and a bag of DeLallo pasta.

Substitutions and Additions:

  • Use a Different Pasta Shape: In place of Ditalini, small shells or Orecchiette also work well.
  • Make Gluten Free: Use your favorite gluten free pasta (I love DeLallo’s Gluten-Free Fusilli) instead.
  • Add Meat: Add sautéed shrimp, chicken, or mini meatballs to the pasta after it cooks.
  • Make Vegetarian: In place of anchovies, I suggest adding a few dashes of vegan Worcestershire sauce instead.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Step 1: Sauté Aromatics and Anchovies

Heat olive in a large sauté pan over medium. Add garlic, anchovies, and chili flakes; cook 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in tomato paste.

Garlic, anchovies, and tomato paste being cooked in a gray skillet.

Step 2: Add Olives, Tomatoes, and Capers

Bring mixture to a simmer, and add basil leaves. Next, add water and bring mixture to a boil.

Olives, capers, basil, and crushed tomatoes being added to skillet.

Step 3: Boil Pasta

Once water boils, add pasta and cook until al dente, about 12 minutes.

Step 4: Add Chickpeas

Lastly, stir in chickpeas and cook 2 more minutes. Spoon into bowls and garnish with extra basil, black pepper, and a drizzle of good quality olive oil.

Past and chickpeas being added to skillet and cooked until al dente.

Serving Suggestions:

This Puttanesca with Chickpeas is meant to be an all-in-one meal, however it does pair beautifully with a simple salad or veggie side. Here are a few suggestions:

Recipe FAQs

What is a Substitute for Anchovies in Puttanesca?

In place of anchovies, you can add a dash of fish sauce, Worcestershire sauce, or even miso paste. For a vegetarian replacement, look for a vegan Worcestershire sauce.

What is the base of Puttanesca Sauce?

The base of this punchy sauce is garlic, anchovies, red pepper flakes, and canned whole-peeled tomatoes.

How to Store:

Transfer leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days. Rewarm individual portions in the microwave, or in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water to help rehydrate the sauce.

A blue bowl filled with Puttanesca with chickpeas and torn basil leaves.

More Easy Pasta Recipes to Try:

If you give this recipe a try, snap a pic and tag #dishingouthealth so I can see your beautiful creations. I also really appreciate readers taking the time to leave a rating and review! Lastly, follow along on Facebook and Pinterest for the latest recipe updates.

5 from 2 votes

Easy One Pot Puttanesca with Chickpeas

Easy One Pot Puttanesca with Chickpeas comes together in 30 minutes for a hearty, delicious weeknight dinner. Serve with crusty bread and a simple side salad.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 4

Equipment

  • Large high-sided sauté pan or medium saucepan

Ingredients  

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Instructions 

  • Pour tomatoes and their juices into a large bowl and use your hands to crush tomatoes. Set aside.
  • Heat olive oil in a large high-sided sauté pan, medium saucepan or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add garlic, anchovies, and chili flakes; cook, breaking up the anchovies with your spoon until they melt into the oil and the garlic starts to brown, about 3 minutes. Stir in tomato paste; cook 2 more minutes to caramelize.
  • Add olives, capers, crushed tomatoes and their juices, salt, and basil sprigs; gently simmer mixture for 5 minutes.
  • Add 2 1/2 cups of water and bring mixture to a boil. Once boiling, add pasta and reduce heat to a simmer.
    Simmer, uncovered, stirring often to prevent pasta from sticking to the pan, until the pasta is al dente, about 12 minutes. Stir in chickpeas and cook 1 to 2 more minutes, until most of the liquid has reduced and you have a saucy pasta. Discard the basil sprigs, and finish with a few grinds of cracked black pepper.
    If desired, garnish each bowl with extra torn basil and a drizzle of good quality olive oil. Serve with crusty bread for sopping up extra sauce.

Notes

  • Make Vegetarian/Vegan: Swap the anchovies for a couple dashes of vegan Worcestershire sauce.
  • Store: Transfer leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days. Rewarm individual portions in the microwave, or in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water to help rehydrate the sauce.

Nutrition

Serving: 1.5cups | Calories: 480kcal | Carbohydrates: 59g | Protein: 13.5g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 2.5g | Sodium: 920mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 5g

I calculate these values by hand to ensure accuracy, however expect up to a 10% variable depending on food brands.

If you love this recipe, please leave a star rating and review below!
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5 from 2 votes

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Recipe Rating




4 Comments

  1. Armando Suarez says:

    5 stars
    It was amazing. I even got away with adding anchovy paste which is not a fan favorite in my house and never got any push back, but compliments on the dish. Of course no one knew about the anchovy in the dish. Fortunately no allergies to it. Just the fish aspect.

  2. Heather DeGaetano says:

    Love this dish! Easy, healthy, and hearty. Thank you!

  3. Kelly says:

    5 stars
    Easy and delicious. Perfect for a week night meal.

    1. Jamie Vespa says:

      I’m so glad you enjoyed this one, Kelly! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review!