Fiery Fish Puttanesca Recipe: Bold Italian Comfort on a Plate

Tantalizing aromas of garlic and herbs waft through the kitchen when you cook this spicy fish puttanesca that combines Mediterranean flavors with a zesty kick.

Originating from Italy, this dish bursts with robust ingredients that dance together on your plate.

Anchovies, capers, and olives create a bold backdrop for perfectly seasoned fish.

The vibrant sauce simmers with depth and complexity, promising a meal that excites every taste bud.

Fresh tomatoes and red pepper flakes add a fiery undertone that elevates the entire recipe.

Rich, briny flavors meld seamlessly, transforming simple fish into a restaurant-worthy masterpiece.

Prepare to embark on a culinary journey that will have you craving this spectacular dish again and again.

How To Store Fish Puttanesca For Another Day

• Meal Planning & Storage Advice
• Batch Cooking Brilliance: Prepare extra fish puttanesca and portion into meal-prep containers for quick lunches or dinners throughout the week. Labels help track freshness dates.
• Refrigerator Storage Strategy: Store leftover fish and sauce separately in airtight containers. Consume within 23 days for optimal taste and texture. Cool completely before refrigerating to prevent bacterial growth.
• Freezer-Friendly Option: Sauce freezes exceptionally well for up to 3 months. Freeze in sealed containers, leaving slight room for expansion. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating gently to maintain sauce consistency.
• Reheating Wisdom: Warm fish slowly in a covered skillet with a splash of water or extra sauce to prevent drying. Avoid microwave reheating to maintain fish's delicate texture and prevent rubbery outcomes.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 360 kcal

Servings: 4

What Goes Into Fish Puttanesca

• Salt: Enhances natural fish flavor and helps create a delicious crust.
• Black Pepper: Adds a subtle warmth and depth to the fish's taste.
• Smoked Paprika: Brings a smoky, slightly sweet dimension to the fish.

• Olive Oil: Creates a rich, smooth cooking medium with a heart-healthy Mediterranean touch.
• Garlic: Provides an aromatic, pungent foundation that elevates the entire dish's flavor profile.
• Anchovies: Offers a deep, umami saltiness that adds complexity to the sauce.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Introduces a zesty, warm heat that brightens the entire preparation.

• Diced Tomatoes: Delivers a vibrant, tangy base that creates the sauce's primary texture and flavor.
• Olives: Contributes a briny, intense Mediterranean character with a pleasant saltiness.
• Capers: Provides sharp, pickled notes that add brightness and complexity.
• Oregano: Brings an earthy, slightly bitter herb essence typical of traditional Italian cooking.
• Sugar: Balances the acidity of tomatoes and creates a more rounded sauce flavor.
• Fresh Parsley: Offers a fresh, clean finish with a pop of green color and herbal brightness.

Tools For Prepping Fish Puttanesca Efficiently

• Large Skillet: Essential for searing fish and creating the flavorful puttanesca sauce.
• Paper Towels: Perfect for patting fish dry to ensure a crispy, golden exterior.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Helps stir sauce and gently handle delicate fish fillets.
• Cutting Board: Needed for any ingredient preparation like chopping parsley or garlic.
• Sharp Knife: Required for precise ingredient chopping and fish handling.

Directions For Cooking Fish Puttanesca Perfectly

• Sizzle the Fish

Heat a skillet with olive oil and gently cook fish fillets until they turn golden and flake easily. Season with salt, pepper, and a hint of smoky spice. Remove fish and set aside.

• Create Zesty Sauce

In the same pan, awaken garlic, anchovies, and red pepper flakes in olive oil. Toss in juicy tomatoes, briny olives, and tangy capers. Let the flavors dance together for several minutes, creating a vibrant, rich sauce.

• Marry Fish and Sauce

Carefully nestle the cooked fish into the bubbling sauce. Allow them to cuddle and share flavors for a few moments, ensuring the fish is warmed through and infused with the sauce’s bold personality.

• Plate and Garnish

Sprinkle fresh parsley over the dish for a burst of color and freshness. Serve immediately alongside crusty bread or roasted vegetables to soak up the incredible sauce. Enjoy this Mediterranean-inspired feast that brings the spirit of coastal cooking right to your table.

Cooking Tips And Additions For Fish Puttanesca

• Quick Rescue Techniques: If the fish seems too delicate, use a fish spatula to transfer fillets gently without breaking the tender flesh.
• Flavor Boosting Hack: Toast whole capers briefly before adding to the sauce to intensify their briny, tangy profile and create deeper complexity.
• Low-Carb Transformation: Replace traditional side dishes with zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice to keep the meal light and diet-friendly for those monitoring carbohydrate intake.
• Seafood Swap Strategy: Replace white fish with salmon, halibut, or cod depending on availability and personal preference – each fish brings a unique texture and subtle flavor variation to the classic puttanesca sauce.
• Meal Prep Magic: Prepare the sauce in advance and store separately from fish to maintain optimal texture; reheat sauce gently before adding freshly seared fish just before serving to preserve the fish's delicate flakiness.

Fish Puttanesca Serving Suggestions For Dinner

• Rustic Mediterranean Plating: Arrange the fish fillets on a large, rustic ceramic plate, generously spooning the vibrant puttanesca sauce over the top, creating a colorful and appetizing presentation that highlights the rich, bold flavors.
• Bread Companion Delight: Serve with warm, crusty sourdough or ciabatta bread on the side, perfect for soaking up the zesty tomato and olive sauce, transforming each bite into a complete and satisfying meal experience.
• Veggie Sidekick Pairing: Complement the fish with roasted Mediterranean vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and eggplant, seasoned with olive oil and herbs, adding a nutritious and flavorful dimension to the dish.
• Wine Harmony Suggestion: Pair with a crisp, light white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc, which beautifully cuts through the sauce's richness and enhances the fish's delicate flavor profile.

Spicy Fish Puttanesca Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Succulent fish puttanesca delivers bold Mediterranean flavors with tangy capers and briny olives. Rich tomato sauce and perfectly seasoned fish create a quick, satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 white fish fillets (such as cod, halibut, or tilapia)
• 4 anchovy fillets, chopped (optional, for added depth)
• 1 can (14 oz/400 g) diced tomatoes
• 4 tbsps olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• ⅓ cup Kalamata olives, sliced
• 2 tbsps capers, rinsed and drained
• 2 tbsps fresh parsley, chopped (plus extra for garnish)
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
• ½ tsp sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
• ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preparation: Pat fish fillets dry and season comprehensively with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika to create a flavor foundation.
2. Searing: Heat olive oil in a spacious skillet, cooking fish fillets until achieving a golden-brown exterior with precise doneness, roughly 3-4 minutes per side.
3. Sauce Foundation: Without cleaning the skillet, introduce additional olive oil and sauté garlic, anchovies, and red pepper flakes until releasing their aromatic essence.
4. Sauce Development: Add diced tomatoes, olives, capers, oregano, and a hint of sugar, allowing the mixture to simmer and meld into a rich, complex sauce.
5. Fish Integration: Gently immerse cooked fish fillets into the vibrant sauce, carefully coating them to ensure complete flavor absorption and optimal temperature.
6. Garnishing and Serving: Sprinkle fresh parsley over the dish and present alongside crusty bread, pasta, or roasted vegetables to complement the Mediterranean-inspired profile.

Notes

• Perfect Fish Drying: Pat fish fillets completely dry with paper towels to ensure a crispy, golden sear without excess moisture interfering with browning.
• Control Heat Intensity: Maintain medium heat during fish cooking to prevent burning and achieve an evenly golden exterior while keeping the interior moist and flaky.
• Balance Sauce Acidity: Add a pinch of sugar to counteract the tomatoes’ sharp flavor, creating a harmonious and well-rounded sauce profile.
• Customize Spice Levels: Adjust red pepper flakes to personal heat preference, allowing flexibility for those who enjoy mild or more intense flavors.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 10 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg