Puttanesca Sauce

Ingredients

• Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
• 1/2 pound penne
• 1 1/2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 3 oil-packed anchovies, rinsed (optional)
• 1 (15-ounce) can whole tomatoes with their juices
• 1 tablespoon capers rinsed; drained (optional)
• 1/4 cup chopped pitted Kalamata olives
• Basil leaves, thinly sliced, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. 1
   Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Generously salt boiling water and return to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions. Drain.
2. 2
   Meanwhile, heat oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add garlic, red pepper flakes, and anchovies, if desired, mashing with a wooden spoon. Cook, stirring, until garlic is fragrant, about 2 minutes.
3. 3
   Add tomatoes and their juices, roughly cutting with kitchen shears or breaking up tomatoes with hands. Stir in capers, if desired, and olives. Bring to a boil and immediately reduce to a simmer. Season with salt and pepper. Let simmer until thickened, 5 to 10 minutes. Add pasta to skillet; toss to combine, and serve garnish with basil, if desired.