What is puttanesca sauce and where does it come from?

Puttanesca is a classic southern Italian pasta sauce — bold, briny and deeply savoury, built on garlic, anchovies, capers, olives and tomato. It's traditionally associated with Naples and was born from the Italian tradition of cooking something extraordinary from very little. The anchovies dissolve into the sauce as it cooks, adding depth rather than fishiness — it's one of those ingredients most people can't identify but everyone notices when it's there.

How do you serve Davide's chicken meatballs alla puttanesca?

There's no single right answer. The most obvious is tossed through spaghetti or rigatoni — the sauce clings to both. But it works just as well spooned onto thick toasted bread, served alongside creamy mashed potato, or eaten as a main with a green salad.

Does puttanesca sauce contain anchovies - and will it taste fishy?

Yes — anchovies are a core ingredient and part of what makes puttanesca distinctly puttanesca. But in the sauce, they dissolve completely during cooking and contribute a deep, savoury umami rather than a fishy flavour. Most people who say they don't like anchovies enjoy puttanesca without realising they're in it. That said, this meal does contain fish and is not suitable for those with fish allergies.

Davide's Chicken Meatballs alla Puttanesca

4.7

Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars

122 Reviews

Davide's Chicken Meatballs alla Puttanesca

Name: Davide's Chicken Meatballs alla Puttanesca
Brand: Davide
Price: 35.0 AUD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.7 (122 reviews)

$35.00

Simple ingredients. A sauce that's been turning heads in Italy for centuries.

Puttanesca is one of those Italian sauces that needs no introduction, it's bold and unapologetically flavourful, built from a handful of ingredients that punch well above their weight. Davide's version takes that same spirit and wraps it around chicken meatballs made from scratch then finished low and slow in a sauce of whole peeled tomatoes, garlic, anchovies, capers, olives, parsley and a touch of chilli. Every element earns its place.

This is a meal that is totally versatile. Toss it through pasta for a weeknight dinner, spoon it over mashed potato, pile it onto toasted bread or in a sub, or eat it as it is with a simple salad.

Made with ❤️ by Davide

Preparation Instructions

Step 1 - Defrost in microwave or fridge overnight
Step 2 - Decant into a microwave safe bowl
Step 3 - Microwave until hot (approx. 4mins)

Alternatively place into a pot to reheat on the stove over low heat.

Ingredients & Allergens

Ingredients: Chicken thigh and breast, whole peeled tomato, white wine, breadcrumbs (gluten, wheat),eggs, carrots, onion, celery, olives, capers, parmesan (milk), anchovies (fish), garlic, parsley, chilli, olive oil, oregano, rosemary, plain flour (gluten, wheat), pepper, salt.

CONTAINS: EGGS, MILK, GLUTEN, WHEAT, FISH

Serving Size, Spice & Suggestions

Serves 2 (700g)

🥖 Toss it through pasta, pile it onto toasted sourdough, serve it alongside mashed potato, or eat it with a simple salad and call it dinner!

🌶️ Spice Level -Mild

About Your Cook

Hi, I'm Davide

"I am the quintessential Italian chef! Born and raised in Venice, Italy, I trained and worked in some of the worlds most delectable restaurants in the world. But all this “professional” knowledge pales in comparison to the lessons I learnt from my Mamma and Nonna!

Food is life and everything revolves around food, however, cooking for others is my true passion. I enjoy making classic Italian dishes and am excited to experiment and revitalise traditional meals with new ingredients."

Explore Davide's other meals here

Storage & Delivery

This dish has been handmade with love in small batches by Davide, before being freshly frozen for your convenience.

Keep frozen for up to 2 months from purchase, once thawed keep refrigerated and serve within 48 hours.

We deliver across NSW, VIC, SA, ACT and QLD. To check if we deliver to you enter your postcode and suburb in the delivery checker at the top of our page. ☝🏻

Perfect For....

People who want a proper Italian meal without spending the evening in the kitchen
Anyone who loves bold, punchy flavours — anchovies, capers, olives, the works
Families who want one meal that works as pasta sauce, on toast, or on its own
Anyone stocking the freezer with something genuinely versatile and worth coming back to
People who appreciate classic Italian cooking that hasn't been softened for mass appeal

Handmade with Love by Accredited Local Cooks

Freshly Frozen for Your Convenience

Delivering to NSW, ACT, SA, VIC, QLD

: Puttanesca is a classic southern Italian pasta sauce — bold, briny and deeply savoury, built on garlic, anchovies, capers, olives and tomato. It's traditionally associated with Naples and was born from the Italian tradition of cooking something extraordinary from very little. The anchovies dissolve into the sauce as it cooks, adding depth rather than fishiness — it's one of those ingredients most people can't identify but everyone notices when it's there.
: There's no single right answer. The most obvious is tossed through spaghetti or rigatoni — the sauce clings to both. But it works just as well spooned onto thick toasted bread, served alongside creamy mashed potato, or eaten as a main with a green salad.
: Yes — anchovies are a core ingredient and part of what makes puttanesca distinctly puttanesca. But in the sauce, they dissolve completely during cooking and contribute a deep, savoury umami rather than a fishy flavour. Most people who say they don't like anchovies enjoy puttanesca without realising they're in it. That said, this meal does contain fish and is not suitable for those with fish allergies.

4.7

Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars

Based on 122 reviews

Total 5 star reviews: 94 Total 4 star reviews: 20 Total 3 star reviews: 3 Total 2 star reviews: 5 Total 1 star reviews: 0

93%would recommend these products

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122 reviews

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Vivien S.
Verified Buyer
5 days ago
Reviewing
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Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Tiramisu
This was fantastic and I have ordered it again.
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Rita M.
Verified Buyer
1 week ago
Reviewing
Davide's Sicilian Arancini
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Delicious
Delicious and quick and easy, best arancini I have had in a long time
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JC
Joan C.
Verified Buyer
2 weeks ago
Reviewing
Davide's Tuscan Spinach & Ricotta Gnudi
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Light and Fluffy
Lovely flavour, light and fluffy Gnudi. A change from Gnocchi which can be a bit heavy. Will order again
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DK
Deirdre K.
Verified Buyer
1 month ago
Reviewing
Davide's Classic Italian Lasagna
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Davide’s classic Italian lasagne
Reliable delicious traditional
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Lynette
Verified Buyer
1 month ago
Reviewing
Davide's Eggplant Parmigiana (Vg)
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Yummy
Really like this one
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Delivery Information

We proudly deliver across NSW, ACT, VIC, SA and QLD. All orders are delivered in Eco-friendly Silversheen Liners and Recyclable Boxes with ice packs.

Delivery dates and rates are dependant on your location. Please check your delivery dates int he delivery checker at the top of the page.

We proudly deliver across NSW, ACT, VIC, SA and QLD. All orders are delivered in Eco-friendly Silversheen Liners and Recyclable Boxes with ice packs.

Delivery dates and rates are dependant on your location. Please check your delivery dates int he delivery checker at the top of the page.

Davide's Chicken Meatballs alla Puttanesca

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