Siciliana Sauce for Pasta
Transform your pasta nights with this bold and vibrant Siciliana Sauce, a Mediterranean-inspired masterpiece brimming with authentic Sicilian flavors. Made with pantry staples like canned tomatoes, kalamata olives, capers, and a hint of red chili flakes, this sauce strikes the perfect balance between tangy, savory, and slightly spicy. Fresh basil adds a fragrant finish, while optional anchovies lend a deep, umami-rich complexity. Ready in just 45 minutes, this versatile sauce pairs beautifully with your favorite pasta, offering a restaurant-quality meal right at home. Ideal for weeknight dinners or special gatherings, the Siciliana Sauce is sure to become a family favorite.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 0.25 teaspoons red chili flakes
- 28 ounces canned whole peeled tomatoes
- 0.5 cups kalamata olives, sliced
- 2 tablespoons capers, rinsed
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 0.25 cups fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 2 fillets anchovy fillets, finely minced (optional)
- 0.5 teaspoons salt
- 0.25 teaspoons black pepper
Instructions
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat.
Add the diced onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
Stir in the minced garlic and red chili flakes, cooking for another 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
Crush the canned tomatoes with your hands or a spoon, then add them to the pan along with their juices.
Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer gently for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
Stir in the sliced kalamata olives, rinsed capers, dried oregano, and minced anchovy fillets (if using). Simmer for another 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
Season the sauce with salt and black pepper to taste.
Remove the sauce from heat and stir in the chopped fresh basil just before serving.
Serve the Siciliana sauce over cooked pasta of your choice. Garnish with additional fresh basil, if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
741 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 48.2 g | 62% | |
| Saturated Fat | 7.0 g | 35% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 20 mg | 7% | |
| Sodium | 4179 mg | 182% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 67.4 g | 25% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 18.6 g | 66% | |
| Total Sugars | 39.7 g | ||
| Protein | 22.9 g | 46% | |
| Vitamin D | 4.0 mcg | 20% | |
| Calcium | 309 mg | 24% | |
| Iron | 9.6 mg | 53% | |
| Potassium | 1834 mg | 39% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
