Tuna Pasta Recipe
This Quick & Easy Tuna Pasta is one of my go-to dinners when life gets busy and trust me, I’ve made it dozens of times on weeknights when I want something satisfying that comes together in under 20 minutes. The flaky tuna, garlic, olive oil, and bright lemon make this simple pasta taste so much better than you’d expect from a pantry meal. It’s light but filling, comforting without heaviness, and always hits the spot.
Servings: 4 people
Ingredients
- 7 oz spaghetti or another thin long pasta
- 1 tablespoon cooking salt for the pasta water
- 10 oz canned tuna in oil drained — about 3 cans (95g/3.5 oz each)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves finely minced
- 4 anchovy fillets minced
- ½ teaspoon chili flakes
- 1 tablespoon parsley finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoons lemon juice
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add 1 tablespoon of salt, then cook the spaghetti according to the package directions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain and set aside.
- While the pasta cooks, heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the minced garlic, anchovy fillets, and chili flakes (if using). Sauté for 1–2 minutes, stirring, until fragrant and the anchovies melt into the oil.
- Add the drained tuna to the skillet and break it up gently with a spatula. Stir in the lemon zest, lemon juice, and chopped parsley. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook for another 1–2 minutes, just to warm everything through.
- Add the cooked pasta directly to the skillet with the tuna mixture. Toss well to coat, adding a splash of the reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
- Serve warm, topped with extra parsley, lemon zest, or a drizzle of olive oil if desired.
Notes
- Feel free to use fresh tuna if you have leftover cooked tuna in the fridge.
- You can use tuna packed in oil or water. It's up to you!
- To store: Store the leftover tuna pasta in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- To reheat: You can easily reheat everything in the microwave or enjoy it chilled.
- To freeze: Once cooled completely, transfer the dish to an airtight freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 2 months.
Nutrition
Serving: 1/4 | Calories: 295kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 4mg | Sodium: 455mg | Potassium: 311mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4g