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One-Pan Seafood Puttanesca: Holiday Cooking Made Simple

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  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/12/18 .. food-puttanesca-holiday-cooking-made-simple.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Thursday, December 18th 2025 at 12:03 GMT by fox17online

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Holiday Cooking Made Easy: One‑Pan Seafood Puttanesca for a Festive Feast

With the holidays fast approaching, many of us are searching for dishes that combine flavor, elegance, and the practical convenience of a single‑pan meal. Fox 17’s recent feature, “An Easy Holiday Seafood Recipe: One‑Pan Puttanesca,” delivers just that: a vibrant, Italian‑inspired seafood dish that can be prepared in a fraction of the time you’d expect for a gourmet entrée. Below is a concise rundown of the recipe, the key ingredients, the cooking process, and a few extra nuggets of culinary wisdom that the article highlights.

1. What’s on the Menu?

At its core, the dish is a celebration of sea‑food and classic puttanesca sauce—an Italian tomato‑based relish brimming with capers, olives, anchovies, and a splash of lemon. The recipe combines these robust flavors with a mix of seafood—shrimp, mussels, and calamari—tossed directly into a skillet along with short‑pasta or rice. The result is a savory, aromatic, and beautifully colorful dish that serves 4–6 people, depending on appetite.

2. Ingredient Breakdown

3. Step‑by‑Step Preparation

1. Prep the Seafood
   Rinse the shrimp, mussels, and calamari under cold water. Pat them dry with paper towels to prevent excess steam when cooking. Set aside.

2. Sauté Aromatics
   Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic, diced onion, and bell pepper. Sauté until the onion becomes translucent and the pepper softens—about 3–4 minutes.

3. Build the Sauce
   Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, capers, olives, anchovy fillets, and red‑pepper flakes. Cook for another 3 minutes, allowing the flavors to mingle. Add the white wine (or stock) to deglaze, scraping up any browned bits.

4. Introduce the Seafood
   Drop the shrimp, mussels, and calamari into the pan. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and half of the chopped herbs. Cover and let everything simmer for 5–7 minutes, or until the mussels open and the shrimp turn pink. Discard any mussels that do not open.

5. Add the Pasta
   Transfer the sautéed seafood to a bowl; set aside. In the same skillet, pour in the uncooked pasta, cover it with the sauce, and add 1 cup of pasta water. Cook according to the package instructions—usually 8–10 minutes—until al dente. Stir frequently so the pasta soaks up the sauce and does not clump.

6. Combine & Finish
   Return the cooked seafood to the skillet. Toss everything together, adding the remaining fresh herbs. Finish with a squeeze of lemon juice and a dusting of Parmesan if desired.

7. Serve
   Plate the pasta in shallow bowls, garnish with extra herbs, and serve immediately with crusty bread on the side to soak up the sauce. A light side salad with arugula, lemon vinaigrette, and shaved Parmesan completes the holiday spread.

4. Practical Tips for Holiday Success

• Time Management: Because everything cooks in one pan, the total prep time is under 30 minutes—perfect for a last‑minute dinner.
• Don’t Overcook: Seafood cooks quickly. Adding it early helps the pasta soak up the sauce, but keep an eye on the shrimp to avoid rubbery texture.
• Sauce Consistency: If the sauce seems too thick after cooking the pasta, splash in a little more stock or water. If it’s too thin, let it reduce on low heat for a few minutes.
• Freshness Matters: The bright flavors of fresh tomatoes, basil, and citrus shine through only when the ingredients are fresh. For a more robust flavor, use a splash of good‑quality red wine instead of wine stock.

5. Where the Recipe Fits in a Holiday Menu

Fox 17’s article positions the puttanesca as a “holiday-appropriate” dish—rich, festive, and family‑friendly. The recipe is versatile enough to serve as a main course for a large family gathering or a smaller dinner with close friends. Its bold flavors pair nicely with a crisp white wine or sparkling rosé, while a light side salad balances the richness.

If you’re looking to add a touch of tradition and excitement to your holiday table, this one‑pan seafood puttanesca is a winning choice. It’s a dish that showcases how classic Italian techniques and fresh, seasonal ingredients can elevate everyday cooking into a memorable celebration.

Takeaway

The article showcases a practical, flavorful solution for holiday cooking: a single‑pan seafood puttanesca that is both time‑efficient and full of depth. With a straightforward ingredient list, clear instructions, and helpful kitchen hacks, it stands out as a go‑to recipe for anyone looking to impress family and friends without spending hours in the kitchen. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a novice cook, this dish delivers the festive ambiance of holiday dining in an accessible, comforting, and delicious package.