Shrimp with Chunky Cherry Tomato Puttanesca Sauce Recipe

By
Kerry Saretsky
a photograph of Kerry Seretsky, a contributing writer at Serious Eats.
Kerry Saretsky

Kerry Saretsky interned at Serious Eats in 2008, and wrote the French in a Flash recipe column. She also writes her own blog on modernized French cuisine called French Revolution Food.

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Updated April 19, 2019
20121224ShrimpPuttanesca-edit.jpg
Kerry Saretsky

A fresher version of the classic puttanesca: cherry tomatoes, fresh oregano, black olives, capers, fresh chilies, lemon zest, and olive oil. It stews in a pot for 10 minutes, and then makes the perfect base for a chunky shrimp stew (instead of the classic, but not guiltless, pasta). With some grilled bread, this is the perfect spicy, bright, healthy after-work dinner for two.

Recipe Details

Shrimp with Chunky Cherry Tomato Puttanesca Sauce Recipe

Active 20 mins
Total 20 mins
Serves 2 servings
Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 medium cloves garlic, sliced or chopped (about 1 tablespoon)
  • 1 Fresno or jalapeño chili pepper, seeded and finely sliced or chopped
  • 1 tablespoon capers, drained and rinsed
  • 35 pitted Kalamata olives, halved (about 1 cup)
  • 1 teaspoon anchovy paste (or 1 anchovy filet, mashed with a fork)
  • 1 pound cherry tomatoes (about 3 cups)
  • 1 pound large peeled and deveined shrimp
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon fresh oregano leaves
  • 2 teaspoons grated zest from 1 lemon

Directions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add the garlic and chilies and cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the capers, olives, and anchovy paste, and stir around to combine. Add the tomatoes, toss to combine, cover, and cook, shaking occasionally, until tomatoes are cooked through and softened, about 10 minutes. Use a potato masher to roughly mash tomatoes. Add the shrimp, season to taste with salt and pepper, and cook just until opaque, 2 to 3 minutes (do not overcook). Add oregano and lemon zest and toss to combine. Serve as-is, or on top of cooked pasta.

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