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    Home » 30 Minute Meals

    Puttanesca Pasta Salad

    AU$2.16 | £0.86 per serve
    By Robyn | Published: Dec 6, 2019 | Modified: Oct 10, 2022

    TO THE RECIPE
    blue plate with puttanesca pasta salad on top, sprinkled with parsley
    This Puttanesca pasta salad is a beautiful, light pasta salad. Serve as a side dish for a barbeque or take along to a picnic. It makes a great work lunch too!
    puttanesca pasta salad on blue plate with a dish of olives to the right and chilli flakes above

    Based on the Italian dish ‘Spaghetti alla puttanesca’ which translates to’ ‘spaghetti of the prostitute’ (some say due to it’s pungent aroma, others that it because it is s0 simple and quick to make – take your pick on that one), this easy cold pasta salad recipe is so fresh, vibrant and full of flavour.

    Puttanesca pasta is traditionally served warm (and with anchovies); but this pasta salad is cold and made vegan without anchovies. The pasta salad dressing is made from a heady mix of salty olives and capers, sweet juicy tomatoes, pungent garlic, and fresh herbs – either sweet basil, or fresh parsley, whichever you prefer.

    It is a great summer pasta dish, and on hot days I cook the pasta and infuse the garlic in the oil whilst making/eating breakfast, then the hot work is done come the evening time, and all I have to do is chop a handful of ingredients and give it a quick stir before serving. You can leave the garlic raw, but as we are not big raw garlic fans I like to infuse the oil with it so you just get a hint of garlic rather than a great hit of it.

    The sauce also makes a delicious bruschetta topping, or pile any leftovers on top of crackers for a quick lunch or snack.

    close up of puttanesca pasta salad on blue plate with another plate the bottom right coner

    Can I make this puttanesca pasta salad ahead?

    Yes, you can make the pasta salad and store in the fridge for up to 2 days. The basil can become a little brown over time, so I’d recommend you add this last minute.

    Make it Yours:

    Love garlic: You can use the garlic raw, crushed, in the dressing rather than infusing the oil with it. My family prefers mild garlic.
    Like things spicy: You could add a little extra dried chilli, or use fresh chilli.
    You eat fish: Add tinned tuna or anchovies,
    You want to include some plant-based protein: Mix in a tin of chickpeas.

    If you are looking for more salad ideas, why not have a look at my lightened-up Smoked Salmon Caesar, refreshing Watermelon Salad with Mozzarella or Beetroot and Feta Salad. If you are after vegan/plant based meal inspo, this Coconut Chickpea Curry is a favourite, as is this Lentil Bolognese

    puttanesca pasta salad in white bowl on white background with wooden spoon to the left

    Puttanesca Pasta Salad

    Author: Robyn

    An easy cold vegan pasta salad which is packed with flavour
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 10 mins
    Course Lunch, Midweek Meals, Plant Based | Vegetarian, Salads & Light Meals, Soups, Under 30 Minutes
    Cuisine modern italian
    Servings 2 people
    Calories 208 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 200g (7oz) pasta ($0.40 / £0.30)
    • 2 tablespoon olive oil ($0.32 / £0.16)
    • 1 clove garlic, peeled and halved ($0.13 / £0.03)
    • 250g (9oz) chopped tomatoes, around 2 large tomatoes, seeds removed ($1.30 / £0.30)
    • ¼ – ½ teaspoon dried chilli flakes ($0.05 / £0.02)
    • 1 tablespoon capers in vinegar, roughly chopped ($0.27 / £0.10)
    • 12 black olives, roughly chopped ($0.85/ £0.61)
    • Handful of fresh parsley or basil, roughly chopped/torn ($1.00 / £0.20)

    Instructions
     

    • Cook the pasta according to packet instructions. When cooked run under cold water to remove starch and cool. (This should stop the pasta sticking together when cool.)
    • Whilst the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil and garlic in a small saucepan over a low heat. After 3-4 minutes bubbles will start to appear around the garlic. Turn off the heat and leave in the pan to cool – this step is optional if you’d prefer to have raw garlic.
    • Take the garlic out of the olive oil and mix in the chopped tomatoes, dried chilli, capers, olives, and parsley or basil.
    • Stir this tomato dressing into the pasta and eat straight away, or keep in the fridge for a couple of days.

    Notes

    Estimated costs: Australia $4.32. Per serve = $2.16
    UK £1.72. Per serve = £0.86
    America – I am yet to calculate the estimated ingredients costs to make this recipe in the US. If you would find it useful please contact me and I’ll get calculating 🙂 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 208kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 3gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 13gSodium: 1192mgPotassium: 589mgFiber: 4gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 753IUVitamin C: 19mgCalcium: 70mgIron: 3mg
    Keyword cold pasta salad, easy cold pasta salad, vegan pasta salad, vegetarian pasta salad

    HAVE YOU MADE THIS RECIPE?

    I’d love to see your creation!

    Tag me! #atmrsjoneskitchen
    Tag me! @atmrsjoneskitchen

    Or just leave a comment below!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Andrea says

      December 10, 2019 at 10:42 pm

      I could eat pasta for every meal! And this one has all of my favourite flavours. I think I’ll sneak some anchovies in too! Yum.

      Reply
    2. Sally says

      December 10, 2019 at 9:24 pm

      Yum, this pasta salad sounds so good and perfect for summer!

      Reply
      • Robyn says

        December 13, 2019 at 1:23 pm

        Thanks Sally! Yes it make a perfect summer dish 🙂

        Reply
    3. Sylvie says

      December 09, 2019 at 2:48 pm

      I love anything pasta, and this recipe is the perfect way to enjoy pasta on a hot summer day! It will make the perfect side dish next time I host a bbq 🙂

      Reply
      • Robyn says

        December 09, 2019 at 3:20 pm

        Thanks Sylvie! It is such a summery dish, I hope that you enjoy it 🙂

        Reply

    Trackbacks

    1. What Vegan Pasta Should I Cook For Dinner Tonight? 20 Vegan Pasta List says:
      August 14, 2020 at 2:26 pm

      […] Puttanesca Pasta SaladA beautiful, light pasta salad. Serve as a side dish for a barbeque or take along to a picnic. It makes a great work lunch too! […]

      Reply
    2. 20 Vegan Recipes for Veganuary | One Bite Vegan says:
      January 4, 2020 at 6:36 am

      […] This Puttanesca pasta salad is a beautiful, light pasta salad. Serve as a side dish for a barbeque or take along to a picnic. It makes a great work lunch too! Click here for the recipe. […]

      Reply

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    Robyn Jones, Recipe Developer & Food Photographer

    Robyn Jones

    Recipe Developer | Food Photographer | Writer

    Hi! I'm Robyn, a toddler mum with a passion for all things food! Having moved internationally 7 times in the past 12 years I have developed a love of making international recipes into family friendly ones you can make in your own home, with local ingredients; wherever you live!

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