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Looking for a flavorful and easy meal that can be whipped up in no time? This Tuna Pesto Pasta recipe is the answer! This pasta is a delightful fusion of tender pasta, savory tuna, and vibrant pesto sauce. It’s a quick and satisfying meal that can be on your table in less than minutes, making it perfect for busy schedules.
Tuna pesto pasta combines the convenience of inexpensive pantry staples with the elevated flavor of pesto to create a meal the family is sure to love! Its balanced flavors are great hot or cold and can be served to small crowds or big ones. Tuna and noodles come together in this surprisingly bold and flavorful dish.
Why I Love This Recipe
- It’s inexpensive. The star ingredients are relatively inexpensive and probably already in your pantry. It’s perfect for families.
- It’s made from pantry staples. Tuna, noodles and pesto are some pretty common pantry staples. Most of the other ingredients could be subbed or left out altogether.
- It’s balanced. Rich pesto is paired with light flaky tuna for a well-balanced dish.
Tuna Pesto Pasta Ingredients
- Fusilli pasta: Also called corkscrew pasta, fusilli holds onto sauces well. Feel free to use your favorite pasta.
- Tomato and caper sauce: Fragrant garlic sautéed with sun-dried tomatoes and capers gives the dish a unique flavor.
- Tuna: This firm fish is both tasty and versatile, allowing it to shine as the protein source of this meal.
- Toppings: Basil pesto, Kalamata olives, red pepper flakes, toasted pine nuts, and shaved Parmesan give this pasta a Mediterranean flair.
How To Make Tuna Pesto Pasta
Step 1: Prepare the equipment. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Drain the water and set it aside.
Step 2: Sauté garlic. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add olive oil. Once the oil is heated, add the minced garlic and cook for a minute until the fragrance emerges.
Step 3: Add tomatoes. Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes and capers, and cook for 2 minutes.
Step 4: Add tuna and season. Add the canned tuna and break the chunks using a wooden ladle. Season with crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
Step 5: Toss in pasta, olives and pesto. Add the cooked pasta, Kalamata olives, and pesto sauce. Gently toss the pasta. If needed add about ⅓ cup of pasta water for consistency.
Step 6: Garnish and serve. Once done, garnish the tuna pesto pasta with toasted pine nuts and shaved Parmesan cheese on top. Serve it while it’s still warm.
Recipe Tips
- Choose Quality Tuna: Use good-quality canned tuna in olive oil for the best flavor and texture.
- Cook Pasta Al Dente: Cook the pasta just until it’s al dente, with a slight bite to it.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste the dish before serving and adjust the seasoning with salt, pepper, or extra lemon juice if needed.
What to Serve with Tuna Pasta
Fresh salads are always a welcome addition to rich pastas, as is the quintessential Italian Caprese Salad. Parmesan Roasted Carrots and Roasted Brussels Sprouts pair perfectly with pasta. Serving Garlic Bread or Easy Homemade Garlic Knots for dipping in the leftover pesto would be a treat, too!
Storing and Reheating
Storing: After cooling, this pasta can be stored for 3-4 days in the fridge in an airtight container.
To reheat: Reheat on the stovetop by adding a splash of water or broth to the pasta to prevent it from drying out. Stir occasionally to ensure even heating.
Freezing: Allow the pasta to cool down before freezing. It will keep for 2-3 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
To keep the pasta from sticking together, stir it well when it’s placed in the boiling water. Make sure the pot is large enough to allow for the pasta to roll around. After draining, add a dash of olive oil which coats the strands and prevents clumping.
If you’re allergic to nuts, sunflower seeds could be used. If you simply prefer a different flavor, try almonds, walnuts or pistachios. Each seed or nut will bring a different profile to the pasta.
Absolutely! Store-bought pesto is a convenient option, but you can also make your own for a fresher taste.
Yes, you can use any pasta shape you prefer. Penne, fusilli, or spaghetti all work well with this recipe.
More Tuna Recipes
- Creamy Tuna Pasta Bake
- Parmesan Crusted Tuna Patties
- Greek Tuna Pasta Salad Recipe
- Tuna Ceviche
- Tuna Pasta Salad Recipe
Tuna Pesto Pasta is a flavorful meal that can be prepared in just 30 minutes. It’s a versatile dish that can be easily adapted with different pasta shapes, additional vegetables, or alternative proteins. Whether served as a quick weeknight dinner or a casual meal for entertaining guests, this pasta recipe is sure to satisfy the whole family.
If you try this recipe or any of my other recipes, please leave a star rating in the comment section below because I love hearing from my readers. Also follow me at Cookin’ With Mima on FACEBOOK |INSTAGRAM |PINTEREST for all of my latest social posts and recipes.
Tuna Pesto Pasta
Ingredients
- 8 oz Fusilli pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- ⅓ cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
- 2 tablespoons capers
- 7 ounce canned tuna, oil drained
- ½ teaspoon red crushed pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon ground pepper, divided
- ½ teaspoon salt, divided
- ⅓ cup Kalamata olives, sliced
- ½ cup Basil pesto
- ⅓ cup cooked pasta water
- 2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts
- Parmesan cheese, shaved, to garnish
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Drain the water and set it aside.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add olive oil. Once the oil is heated, add the minced garlic and cook for a minute until the fragrance emerges.
- Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes and capers, and cook for 2 minutes.
- Add the canned tuna and break the chunks using a wooden ladle. Season with crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
- Add the cooked pasta, Kalamata olives, and pesto sauce. Gently toss the pasta. If needed add about ⅓ cup of pasta water for consistency.
- Once done, garnish the tuna pesto pasta with toasted pine nuts and shaved Parmesan cheese on top. Serve it while it’s still warm.
Notes
- Choose Quality Tuna: Use good-quality canned tuna in olive oil for the best flavor and texture.
- Cook Pasta Al Dente: Cook the pasta just until it’s al dente, with a slight bite to it.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste the dish before serving and adjust the seasoning with salt, pepper, or extra lemon juice if needed.
