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One-Pan Puttanesca: Quick Seafood Feast for Holiday Gatherings

  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/12/18 .. -quick-seafood-feast-for-holiday-gatherings.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Thursday, December 18th 2025 at 13:27 GMT by WPTV-TV

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One‑Pan Puttanesca: A Holiday Seafood Masterpiece for the Busy Home Chef

When the holiday season rolls around, most families find themselves juggling holiday shopping, menu planning, and last‑minute prep. If you’re looking for a dish that checks all the boxes—fast to make, crowd‑pleasing, and bursting with bright, Mediterranean flavors—look no further than WPTV’s “One‑Pan Puttanesca.” This seafood‑centric take on the classic Italian pasta sauce brings shrimp, calamari, and a rainbow of herbs and spices straight to your skillet in a single, uncomplicated step.

What is Puttanesca?

The article begins by noting that puttanesca (pronounced puttah‑nahts‑kah) is a beloved Italian pasta sauce first popularized in Naples in the 20th century. It’s traditionally made with tomatoes, olives, capers, anchovies, garlic, and red pepper flakes—ingredients that give it a sharp, briny tang. The “one‑pan” twist adds seafood to the mix, making it perfect for a holiday dinner where you want to impress without spending hours in the kitchen.

A link within the piece directs readers to WPTV’s “Sleigh Your Holiday Menu” hub, where you’ll find other seafood‑based dishes that pair beautifully with the puttanesca—think roasted lemon‑herb salmon or a chilled cucumber‑mint salad. The recipe itself is also cross‑referenced to WPTV’s “Seafood Pasta” category, offering extra context on how this dish fits into the broader world of pasta‑and‑seafood pairings.

Ingredients & Preparation Time

Total prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4

Step‑by‑Step Cooking Instructions

1. Bring a pot of salted water to a rolling boil.
   The article stresses using plenty of water; this ensures the pasta stays separate and doesn’t clump.

2. Add the pasta and cook until just al dente—about 2 minutes shy of the package instructions.
   Why? You’ll finish cooking it in the skillet with the sauce, so it shouldn’t be fully done.

3. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large, wide skillet over medium heat.
   Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.

4. Add the shrimp and calamari.
   Sauté until they start to turn pink—shrimp only takes about 2 minutes, while calamari may need an extra minute.

5. Pour in the white wine.
   Allow it to reduce by half, which concentrates the flavor.

6. Add the tomatoes, olives, capers, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
   Stir everything together, letting the tomatoes soften slightly.

7. Drain the partially cooked pasta and toss it into the skillet.
   The pasta absorbs the sauce, and the skillet becomes a unified, flavorful cooking vessel.

8. Simmer for 3‑4 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and the pasta to finish cooking.
   If the mixture seems too dry, add a splash more wine or a bit of pasta water.

9. Stir in chopped parsley, and taste for seasoning.
   Adjust salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes as needed.

10. Serve hot, garnished with grated Parmesan and extra parsley.
    A squeeze of fresh lemon juice before plating gives the dish a bright lift.

Why It Works for the Holidays

• Speed & Simplicity: By cooking everything in one pan, you cut down on dishwashing and prep time—critical when you’re also serving up holiday desserts or drinks.
• Elegant, Festive Flavors: The briny olives, tangy capers, and sweet tomatoes create a complex, savory profile that pairs beautifully with holiday staples like roast turkey or glazed ham.
• Seafood’s Health Edge: Shrimp and calamari provide lean protein, omega‑3s, and a gentle, fresh flavor that balances richer dishes on the table.
• Versatile Presentation: Serve it family‑style from the skillet for a communal feel, or portion into individual bowls for a more formal presentation. The article suggests a garnish of toasted pine nuts for an extra crunch that ties in holiday connotations.

Additional Resources

The WPTV article includes a link to a video tutorial that walks through the cooking process—great for visual learners. If you’re curious about the origins of puttanesca, the recipe’s “About the Sauce” section links to an external culinary history page, explaining how the dish earned its bold reputation in Naples and how modern adaptations keep the spirit alive. There’s also a sidebar featuring “Seasonal Pairings,” recommending a crisp glass of Pinot Grigio or a sparkling rosé that complements the seafood’s acidity.

Final Thoughts

WPTV’s “One‑Pan Puttanesca” brings an Italian holiday staple to American kitchens with the kind of ease that makes it a holiday favorite. With fresh ingredients that pop, a quick cooking time, and a flavor profile that hits both savory and slightly sweet notes, it’s the perfect dish for anyone looking to serve a standout main course without turning the kitchen into a battlefield. Grab a pot of pasta, an assortment of seafood, and let the skillet do the work—your guests will thank you, and you’ll have more time to enjoy the holiday festivities.