Quick & Easy Vegan Bucatini Alla Puttanesca Recipe

Welcome to a fresh take on an Italian classic dish! If you’re a fan of bold flavors and hearty pastas, then you’re going to love this vegan Bucatini Alla Puttanesca. It’s a quick and delicious meal that captures all the traditional zest of the original recipe with a compassionate twist. So, whether it's your first time diving into Italian pasta recipes or you're a seasoned chef looking for a great recipe, this version is sure to impress. A sure fire crowd pleaser that will leave everyone craving for more! Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner.

An Easy Plant-Based Dinner that Will Satisfy Everyone! Can be easily modified, be sure to give this one a try. Make it with what ever you have on hand.

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Why You'll Love This

Vegan bucatini putanesca is a delicious Italian dish that is made with vegan-friendly ingredients. This dish combines the flavors of tomatoes, olives, capers, garlic, and herbs to create a savory and flavorful sauce that coats the bucatini pasta.

The vegan version of this dish eliminates the traditional anchovies and replaces them with vegan-friendly ingredients to make it suitable for those who follow a plant-based diet. This dish is packed full of flavor and can be enjoyed by vegans and non-vegans alike. It's an easy to make meal that is sure to please any crowd!

What is Puttanesca

Puttanesca is a vegan-friendly Italian dish that is known for its bold flavors. It consists of olives, capers, garlic, tomatoes, and other ingredients. It is usually served with spaghetti or linguine and has a rich and tangy taste. Pair it with this easy to make bread!

What is Bucatini

Bucatini is a type of pasta that has the shape of a thick spaghetti noodle with a hole running through the center. While it can be enjoyed in many different dishes, it's especially popular among vegan eaters because it is easy to prepare and can be used as a substitute for other types of pasta. It's also great for adding texture to vegan dishes since its hollow center allows sauces to permeate throughout the noodle.

What you need

• Garlic: A culinary staple, garlic is known for its pungent aroma and robust flavor that enhances a variety of dishes. It comes in individual cloves that are peeled and minced, sliced, or used whole to impart a deep, aromatic essence to dishes.
• Leek: Leeks are relatives of onions and garlic and feature long, white stalks that transition into green leaves. They have a milder, sweeter flavor compared to onions and are commonly used in soups and stews or sautéed as a side dish.
• Mushrooms: Typically sold in pre-packaged containers, mushrooms add earthy flavors and a meaty texture to dishes. They come in various varieties, each contributing its unique flavor and texture, from button to shiitake or portobello.
• Bucatini: Bucatini is a type of pasta resembling thick spaghetti but with a hollow center, known as the "straw." This shape allows it to hold sauces more effectively, making it ideal for thicker, heartier sauces.
• Jar Red Sauce or Roasted Bell Pepper: This can refer to a pre-made pasta sauce made from tomatoes or a jar of roasted red bell peppers. Both are rich in flavor and color, commonly used in Italian cooking to add depth to a dish.
• Bunch Asparagus: Asparagus is a spring vegetable known for its slender, green spears and distinct, slightly bitter flavor. It is versatile, great for grilling, roasting, steaming, or sautéing, and pairs well with light sauces and lemon.
• Onion: Onions are fundamental in cooking, known for their sharp aroma and flavor which mellows and sweetens upon cooking. They can be diced or sliced and used as a base for sauces, soups, and stews.
• Vegan Parm: Vegan Parmesan cheese is a dairy-free alternative made from ingredients like nuts, nutritional yeast, and seasonings to mimic the salty, umami flavor of traditional Parmesan.
• Olive Oil: Olive oil is a healthy fat essential in Mediterranean cooking. It is often used to sauté, dress, or finish dishes, adding a subtle, fruity depth.
• Herbs: Fresh herbs like basil, parsley, or thyme add a burst of flavor and color to dishes. Each herb has its unique profile, from the peppery bite of basil to the lemony tang of thyme, enhancing dishes with fresh, aromatic notes.

Bucatini alla puttanesca traditionally packs a punch with anchovy fillets, but our vegan version keeps the robust flavor without the fish, making it perfect for everyone. Plus, it’s made with ingredients you likely have on hand, and it’s ready in less time than it takes to watch an episode of your favorite series.

Ingredients

• Bucatini Pasta: Thick and hearty, perfect for soaking up the rich puttanesca sauce.
• Cherry Tomatoes: Sweet and tangy, these tomatoes add a burst of freshness to the dish.
• Black Olives: Briny and robust, they are key to the classic puttanesca flavor.
• Capers: Adding a bright, vinegary pop to balance the savory elements.
• Red Pepper Flakes: For that kick of heat which is integral to the dish.
• Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: A staple in Italian cooking that brings everything together.
• Fresh Basil and chopped Parsley: For a hit of green and freshness right before serving.

Steps

1. Cook the Pasta: Start by boiling a large pot of salted water and cook the bucatini until al dente, as per the packet instructions.
2. Prepare the Sauce: In a large skillet over medium heat, sauté cherry tomatoes in extra-virgin olive oil until they start to break down. Add black olives, capers, and a pinch of chili flakes, stirring until everything is heated through.
3. Combine: Drain the pasta, reserving some pasta water. Toss the bucatini in the skillet with the sauce, adding pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce and make it cling to the noodles beautifully.
4. Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat, toss with fresh basil and parsley, and serve immediately.

Variations

1. Spicy Variation: Add extra chilli flakes or a dash of hot sauce to give the dish a spicy kick.
2. Mushroom Variation: Sautee some sliced mushrooms and add them to the sauce for an earthy flavor and added texture.
3. Vegetable Variation: Add your favorite vegetables to the sauce, such as bell peppers, zucchini, or eggplant, to make it more nutritious and colorful.
4. Herb Variation: Garnish the dish with fresh herbs like basil, parsley, or oregano to enhance the flavors.

Substitutions

1. Pasta: If you can't find bucatini pasta, you can substitute it with spaghetti or linguine.
2. Olives: Use any type of olives you prefer, such as Kalamata olives or green olives.
3. Capers: If you don't have capers, you can substitute them with chopped pickles or gherkins.
4. Garlic: If you don't have fresh garlic, you can use garlic powder or minced garlic from a jar.

FAQs

1. Can I make this dish gluten-free? Yes, you can use gluten-free pasta, such as rice or corn pasta, to make it gluten-free.
2. Can I make this dish ahead of time? Yes, you can make the sauce ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator. Cook the pasta just before serving and toss it with the sauce.
3. Can I freeze the leftovers? Yes, you can freeze the sauce separately from the pasta. Thaw and reheat the sauce before tossing it with freshly cooked pasta.
4. Can I add protein to this dish? Yes, you can add cooked chickpeas, tofu, or vegan sausage to make it more protein-rich.
5. Can I adjust the spiciness level? Yes, you can adjust the amount of chili flakes or hot sauce according to your preference. Start with a small amount and add more if desired.

Other Vegan Puttanesca Recipes

https://cookieandkate.com/vegan-spaghetti-alla-puttanesca/

https://holycowvegan.net/vegan-pasta-puttanesca/

https://herbivoreskitchen.com/2022/01/vegan-pasta-puttanesca/

Vegan Puttanesca