Pasta with capers and pasta with anchovies are two easy classic Italian pasta dishes that will please everyone. Both of these pasta recipes start out with pasta with fresh tomatoes and garlic then depending on your preference, either capers or anchovies are added to the sauce to really round out the flavors.
Both capers and anchovies add that beautiful briny flavor to these simple pasta recipes so no matter which one you choose, it will be delicious.
About this recipe:
These two easy pasta recipes are identical in everything except the briny note that is added. The capers add a non seafood, salty, briny flavor and the anchovies add a more earthy seafood taste.
Both the pasta with capers and the pasta with anchovy are cooked in a fresh tomato butter sauce and are very delicious!
It’s amazing how 1 simple ingredient (either capers or anchovies) can elevate the flavors of a simple pasta dish. Not too much but just enough to give the sauce a wonderful depth of flavor.
The base flavors for both of these easy pasta recipes:
Both of these very simple pasta recipes begin with warming butter and olive oil in a pan and then gently cooking garlic and red pepper flakes until fragrant. After that you add fresh tomatoes to the mix.
You could stop here BUT I promise you that when you add that one extra ingredient whether it is capers or anchovies, it will really make all the difference in the world in taste. It takes it to restaurant level quality.
Choosing between caper pasta or anchovy pasta:
These two easy pasta recipes are great for those who do and do not like anchovies and can be customized to your taste. If you like more anchovies, add more. If you don't like them, the pasta with capers is perfect for you!
Capers make a great anchovy substitute since they both have a salty, briny flavor. Alternately, anchovies make a great caper substitute.
For my family, we switch it up since some of us prefer the capers and some prefer the anchovies but make whichever pasta you prefer.
They are both wonderful.
Ingredients for the pasta with capers:
- Unsalted butter
- Olive oil
- Capers
- Fresh tomatoes
- Red peppeer flakes
- Kosher salt
- Pasta. I prefer spaghetti but any pasta shape will do.
Ingredients for the pasta with anchovies:
- Unsalted butter
- Olive oil
- Anchovies (1-2 is all you need)
- Fresh tomatoes
- Red peppeer flakes
- Kosher salt
- Pasta
Tips for making these recipes:
When making the pasta with caper or pasta with anchovies, it is important to remember to scoop out a giant mug full of pasta water before your drain the cooked pasta. This pasta water is full of delicious starch and salt that will help build the sauce up later.
This water also allows you to stop the pasta from drying out once you add it to the sauce. The pasta will always continue to drink up liquids and if the sauce has nothing left then you would be left with a dry pasta.
So, always grab a big coffee mug for pasta dishes like this one and reserve some of that good pasta water just in case. The worst that could happen is you don't end up using it.
If you are looking for more quick pasta recipes for dinner, you might like:
Pasta with Burst Cherry Tomatoes
Pasta with Chickpeas and Lemon
Farfalle with Panetta and Brussels Sprouts
Pasta with Capers and Pasta with Anchovies
Tried the Recipe? We Would Love To Hear From You In The Comments Below!
Ingredients
Base Pasta Ingredients
- 1 lb spaghetti 1 box
- 4 tablespoon ½ stick unsalted butter
- 4 medium tomatoes diced
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoon Chopped tender herbs I like Italian flat-leaf parsley
- ½ teaspoon Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Freshly grated Parmesan for serving
For the pasta with capers add:
- ¼ cup capers drained
For the pasta with anchovies add:
- 2 anchovy fillets drained. If you really like anchovies add 3-4 fillets.
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil for your pasta. Cook spaghetti according to the box instructions for al dente1 lb spaghetti
- Meanwhile, heat your butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.4 tablespoon ½ stick unsalted butter, 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- Cook your garlic, until soft, about 3-4 minutes.4 garlic cloves
- Add your tomatoes and season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 8–10 minutes.4 medium tomatoes, ½ teaspoon Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Add either your capers or anchovies depending on the pasta you are making.¼ cup capers, 2 anchovy fillets
- At this point, check your pasta and then drain when ready, making sure to reserve about ½ cup pasta cooking liquid.
- Add your pasta to the saute pan with sauce and also add ½ of your reserved pasta water and turn the heat down to the lowest setting.
- Cook until sauce coats pasta, about 2 minutes.
- Check to see if pasta looks dry. If all the sauce was absorbed, add a little more of the reserved pasta water.
- Toss in your herbs.2 tablespoon Chopped tender herbs
- Add freshly grated Parmesan and enjoy!Freshly grated Parmesan for serving
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition Values are estimates only.
See full nutrition disclaimer here
JR says
My wife and I loved the pasta with anchovies. Very delicious and very easy to make
Beth says
The pasta with capers was delicious. Next we are going to try the pasta with anchovy butter:)
Jeff says
We made the pasta with capers and it was amazing! So simple but a lot of flavor
Sarah says
We do not like anchovies but thought we would try this and I am glad we did. It was very easy and really tasty.