1/2teaspoonred pepper flakesoptional, adjust to taste
1tablespoonanchovy paste or miso pastefor an allergy friendly version
28ouncecan crushed tomatoesor diced
1/2cuppitted Kalamata or black olivesroughly chopped
2tablespoonscapersdrained
1/2teaspoonsdried oregano
Salt and freshly ground black pepperto taste
1/4cupfresh parsleychopped
Optional garnish: Grated Parmesan and extra olive oil for serving
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water, then drain and set aside.
In a large skillet or sauté pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic, red pepper flakes, and anchovies. Cook for about 2 minutes, stirring often, until the garlic is fragrant and the anchovies dissolve into the oil.
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, olives, capers, and oregano. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook uncovered for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally. The sauce should thicken slightly and develop deep, rich flavors.
Add the drained pasta directly into the sauce and toss to coat. If the sauce is too thick, stir in a bit of the reserved pasta water (a few tablespoons at a time) until it reaches your desired consistency.
Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper (remember, anchovies, olives, and capers are salty, so you might not need much salt). Sprinkle with fresh parsley and drizzle with a little more olive oil. Serve immediately, with grated Parmesan if desired.
Notes
• Traditionalists skip cheese here; if you must, a light dusting of Pecorino Romano works better than heavy Parmesan. • Vegetarian variation: Replace anchovies with 1 teaspoon white miso plus 1-2 teaspoon caper or olive brine. • Olive profile: For milder flavor use Castelvetrano; for classic briny pop use Kalamata. • Extra-briny lovers: Add up to 3/4 cup (115 g) olives total.