Jul 14 2026
RestaurantsThe HelmandRigatoni Puttanesca Recipe

Rigatoni Puttanesca Recipe

Inspired by The Helmand
Time30m
Serves4

A traditional tomato-sauce dish.

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Ingredients

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Pasta

Sauce

Method

Pasta Preparation

  1. 1

    Cook the Rigatoni

    Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rigatoni pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 10-12 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

  2. 2

    Drain the Pasta

    Once the pasta is cooked, reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water, then drain the rigatoni in a colander.

Sauce Preparation

  1. 3

    Sauté Garlic and Chili Flakes

    In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and red chili flakes. Sauté for about 1-2 minutes until the garlic is fragrant but not browned.

  2. 4

    Add Tomatoes

    Pour in the canned diced tomatoes, stir to combine, and bring the sauce to a simmer. Allow it to cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

  3. 5

    Incorporate Capers and Olives

    Add the rinsed capers and chopped black olives to the sauce. Stir well and let it simmer for another 5 minutes. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.

Combine and Serve

  1. 6

    Mix Pasta and Sauce

    Add the drained rigatoni to the sauce. Toss well to combine, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time if the sauce is too thick.

  2. 7

    Garnish and Serve

    Remove from heat and stir in the chopped fresh parsley. Serve hot, garnished with additional parsley if desired.

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