Craving a quick and flavorful pasta dish that's ready in minutes?
Transform everyday pantry staples like tuna and spaghetti into a surprisingly sophisticated meal with this easy recipe.
Get ready to ditch boring dinners and discover your new go-to weeknight wonder!
Ingredients
I'm so excited to share the ingredients you'll need for this awesome canned tuna pasta! First, you gotta grab 200g—7oz—of spaghetti! A tablespoon of cooking salt's essential for the pasta water—we're gonna boil our noodles right.
Now, for the tuna sauce—the star! You'll want about 285g, that's roughly 10 ounces, of canned tuna packed in oil. Don't drain it yet; that oil's liquid gold! I usually go for three small cans, like 95g each. After this take two cloves of garlic—mince 'em good.
Next, two anchovy fillets, also minced. I know, I know—trust me! Half a teaspoon of chilli flakes. A dash of heat—optional, but kinda awesome! Don't forget two teaspoons of baby capers, some fresh parsley, one teaspoon of lemon zest and two tablespoons of lemon juice (or a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar instead). And finally, salt and pepper!
Cooking Instructions
Okay, let's explore into cooking this scrumptious canned tuna pasta! It's simpler than you think, I promise. First, I bring 3 quarts of water to a boil with a tablespoon of salt. Then, cook your pasta – I like spaghetti – as per the packet instructions minus one minute. Don't forget to save about a cup of that pasta water before draining; it's liquid gold! Just like with chicken piccata, the key to success is simplicity and quality ingredients.
Next, in the same pot – fewer dishes, yay! – heat the reserved tuna oil. Add your minced garlic, anchovies, and chili flakes, and cook for about a minute until fragrant; your kitchen should smell amazing by now!, I then toss in the pasta, capers, and that precious pasta water. Toss everything together for two minutes.
- Pasta Perfection: Cook your pasta al dente, not mushy!
- Aromatic Start: Let your garlic and anchovies sizzle – flavor explosion!
- Water Works: Pasta water binds the sauce, don't skip it.
- Gentle Touch: Fold in the tuna carefully!
Finally, turn off the heat and gently add your tuna, parsley, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Gently toss to mix – being careful to keep some tuna chunks so it's easier to bite into. Serve it up immediately, and enjoy!
Recipe Notes
Let's explore some recipe notes because I've got a few extra tips that can help you out: don't stress too much about the exact amount of tuna—a little more or less won't hurt! I use three 3.5-ounce cans; you just need enough for two people.
If you've only got tuna in brine, no worries! Use 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil instead. Anchovies? They add great flavor! You can sub 1 teaspoon of anchovy paste. If you don't have either, still make it if you're using tuna in oil.
Chili flakes add warmth—dial it up or down! The amount of spice reminds me that black pepper adds a similar warmth to other dishes like some Chinese beef recipes. Leftovers? They're good for 2 days in the fridge. Microwave reheating is best; try a splash of water or cooking water, that's all. I hope all the provided notes can prove to be helpful for your cooking experience!
Nutritional Information
Let us talk about what you are really curious about–nutrition! I understand why you're reading this, right? This tuna pasta packs a punch. One serving clocks around 637 calories, which is about 32% of your daily intake–not bad, folks!
It's got a good mix, but hey–let's break down the macros and minerals so you can see if this is for you:
- You get 77g of carbs or 26% of your daily value.
- Protein's at 41g, about 82%–pretty awesome! Muscle-building, right here!
- Fat? 17g, 26%–healthy fats, especially if you're using tuna in oil!
- Sodium is high at 4157mg, which is 181%. So go lightly on any extra salt!
Short Recipe Version
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Serving size: 2
Ingredients:
1 can (5 ounces) tuna in water, drained
8 ounces pasta
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup chopped celery
1/4 cup chopped red onion
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain.
- In a bowl, combine tuna, mayonnaise, celery, red onion, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Add cooked pasta to the bowl and mix well.
- Serve immediately or chill for later.
Nutrition Information (per serving, estimated):
Calories: 400
Protein: 25g
Fat: 20g
Carbohydrates: 30g
Sodium: 500mg