Pilchard puttanesca
Spaghetti, red chilli and pilchards come together in this Italian pasta — 50 minutes, 5 steps, and the kind of result worth repeating. Below: the ingredients split into pantry staples and a quick shopping list, a built-in serving scaler, and the method in 5 steps.
You'll mainly reach for frying pan / skillet and pan. At easy difficulty across 5 steps, it's a good one for a busy evening. As written, it's pescatarian — fish but no meat.
What you'll need
Shopping list (5)
Pantry staples (you likely have these)
Diet: contains fish or shellfish, no meat, based on every ingredient listed below.
Contains: Gluten Dairy Fish
Allergen labels are informational and may not cover cross-contact; verify every package and consult a qualified professional for medical dietary needs. Diet labels are derived from the ingredient list on this page — how we verify diet and allergen labels.
Food-safety and allergen information is general, not medical advice. Follow current guidance from your local food-safety authority, verify product labels, and seek qualified advice for allergies or health conditions.
How to make it
- Cook the pasta following pack instructions.
- Heat the oil in a non-stick frying pan and cook the onion, garlic and chilli for 3-4 mins to soften.
- Stir in the tomato purée and cook for 1 min, then add the pilchards with their sauce.
- Cook, breaking up the fish with a wooden spoon, then add the olives and continue to cook for a few more mins.
- Drain the pasta and add to the pan with 2-3 tbsp of the cooking water. Toss everything together well, then divide between plates and serve, scattered with Parmesan.
You'll use: Frying pan / skillet · Pan
Watch how it's made
Hosted on YouTube — pressing play loads content from YouTube.
Ingredient substitutions
- Parmesan
- pecorino · grana padano · aged asiago
What to serve with Pilchard puttanesca
- Spaghetti Bolognese Beef
- Spicy Arrabiata Penne Vegetarian
- Vegan Lasagna Vegan
- Mediterranean Pasta Salad Seafood
Tips & common questions
How long does Pilchard puttanesca take to make?
About 50 minutes from start to finish — an estimate based on the 5 steps and 9 ingredients. Times vary with your kitchen and how much prep you do ahead.
What can I use instead of parmesan?
Try pecorino. See the substitutions section above for more swaps.
Can I scale this recipe up or down?
Yes — use the servings control above the ingredients and every quantity rescales automatically (fractions included). Cooking times stay roughly the same; very large batches may need a little longer.
How should I store leftovers?
Cool leftovers quickly, refrigerate in an airtight container, and eat within 3 days. Reheat until piping hot throughout.
Related recipes
Structured source recipe — not yet independently kitchen-tested by Consomee. How we source, test & correct recipes.
Recipe data for Pilchard puttanesca via TheMealDB (open database). ▶ Video. Original source. Consomee adds the scaler, ingredient tools, timing and structure — how we source recipes.