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Prawns puttanesca

April 29, 2026
Recipe

Olives, anchovies and capers give this sauce a Mediterranean flavor that goes well with pasta and shrimp.

Serves 4

Rich with Mediterranean flavors such as olives, anchovies and capers, this sauce cooks in 5 minutes and has a vibrant, fresh taste. Serve over pasta.


In a large, nonstick saute or frying pan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the prawns, sprinkle with the black pepper and cook for about 3 minutes. Turn the prawns and cook until cooked through and pink, about 2 minutes longer. Transfer to a bowl and keep warm.

Add the wine and use a wooden spoon to loosen any browned bits on the bottom of the pan. Add the fresh tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes and garlic. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer until the tomatoes are tender, about 3 minutes.

Add all the remaining ingredients and cook for about 2 minutes to allow the flavors to blend. Return the prawns to the pan and toss well to coat. Serve right away.


  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 1/4 pounds prawns (about 16 large shrimp), peeled and deveined
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons dry white wine
  • 4 tomatoes, peeled and seeded, then diced (about 2 1/2 cups)
  • 1/4 cup dry-packed sun-dried tomatoes, soaked in water to rehydrate, drained and chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup chopped pitted Nicoise olives
  • 1 tablespoon capers, rinsed and chopped
  • 2 anchovy fillets, rinsed and finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh flat-leaf (Italian) parsley
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

DASH Eating Plan Servings

Dairy foods (low-fat or fat-free) 1 Fats and oils Fruits Grains and grain products 3 Meats, poultry and fish Nuts, seeds and dry beans Sweets 1 Vegetables

Diabetes Meal Plan Choices

Fats Dairy foods (low-fat or fat-free) Fruits Meat and meat substitutes Milk and milk products Nonstarchy vegetables Starches Sweets, desserts and other carbohydrates

Mayo Clinic Healthy Weight Pyramid Servings

Carbohydrates 1 Fats Fruits 1 Protein and dairy Sweets 1 Vegetables

Nutritional analysis per serving

Calcium 218 Calories 10 g Total carbohydrate 229 mg Cholesterol 2 g Dietary fiber 3 g Monounsaturated fat Potassium 31 g Protein 1 g Saturated fat About 4 large shrimp and 3/4 cup sauce Serving size 379 mg Sodium 6 g Total fat