This tuna tomato pasta recipe is part of a sponsored post. All opinions remain my own. This post has affiliate links which earn me a small commission if you shop through them.
It’s winter, which means I’m looking for more hearty meals that warm me up from the inside out. At the same time, it’s the new year. Everyone has the resolution to eat healthier and be more conscious of the choices we make.
Needless to say, that puts me in a little bit of a dilemma when choosing what to make for dinner sometimes. Last night I made my tuna tomato pasta (again), and I realized one more time that this is a great mix for me.
This tuna tomato pasta is one of those meals you can whip up in about a half hour. While you’re boiling water, you’re prepping the sauce.
By the time the sauce is done, the pasta is cooked and ready to toss with the sauce. Just… do it like the Italians and put the pasta directly in with the sauce and mix it there.
I’m not sure what the chemistry is, but it always tastes a thousand times better when you place the pasta in the sauce and toss while it’s still simmering on the stove.
My pasta recipe has plenty of veggies and uses Bumblebee Tuna as its protein. For this dish, I used two traditional 6 ounce cans of white albacore tuna.
This is one of those dishes that when I say I’m going to make it, my family looks at my funny. But then they try it, and it disappears.
Last night? I made a batch of it to take to a friend’s house and left behind a huge container for my husband and Little Miss to enjoy when they got back from their activities.
I expected to bring leftovers home from my friend’s house, but four of us ate it all. When I got back to my house late last night, I saw takeout wrappings in the garbage.
I asked my husband why Little Miss didn’t eat the dinner I had cooked for her. He looked guilty as he explained that he didn’t realize that I had left any for her.
He thought it was all for him to eat and… did. All of it. It was a quart size container that I had filled with the tuna tomato pasta.
Apparently, it’s that good. And apparently I need to make it more often.
It’s just a bonus that the tuna is an easy way to get a lean protein withhealthy fat, and important vitamins and minerals into a meal. Tuna is so versatile.
You wouldn’t at first think to make a fairly fancy looking pasta, but this is gorgeous and delicious. It’s a perfect way to focus on creating a new you in the new year.
How to Make Tuna Tomato Pasta
I love how quickly this light sauce comes together. It has great veggies to it, and the lemon juice and red pepper flakes give it just a little more depth of flavor that really make it something special.
The key is to carefully fold in your tuna so that you still have visible chunks after you’ve tossed your pasta.
This is a perfect weeknight meal because you truly can get it on the table in a half hour. Start by filling your pasta pot with salted water and putting it on to boil. Heat a large pan on medium heat (I adore my bouillabaisse potfor making sauces and such like this) and add oil.
Dice your onion and add it to your hot pan to let it saute. While it’s cooking, mince the garlic cloves. Add them near the end of the saute time because garlic will burn much more quickly than onion.
Once your onion has softened and turned a bit translucent, add the diced tomatoes, including the juices from their cans. Add the capers, and let it simmer while you add the pasta to your boiling water.
I like using a long pasta that’s a bit thicker, linguine is my favorite for this dish, but you can use other pasta shapes. Cook pasta to al dente, as the pasta will absorb some of the sauce. You don’t want to overcook it.
While the pasta is boiling, add the red pepper flakes and lemon juice and be sure your pasta sauce is just simmering lightly. Go ahead and chop your fresh parsley while you wait for your pasta and sauce.
A minute or so before your pasta finishes, open and drain your tuna and then add the tuna to your sauce. Include all but a tablespoon or so of the parsley that you’ll want to reserve for garnish at the same time. Gently stir the sauce to distribute the tuna and parsley.
Once your pasta finishes cooking, drain it without rinsing and add to your pasta sauce. Use tongs to gently toss and ensure the pasta is coated with the light sauce.
Turn off the stove and let it sit for a few minutes while you set the table. Garnish with the last of the parsley and serve immediately.
Have you ever tried a tuna tomato pasta? What’s your favorite light sauce?
Tuna And Tomato Pasta
Yield: 6 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
A quick and easy weeknight dinner that comes together in a half hour. Dairy free and kid friendly, this delicious pasta tastes as good as it looks!
Ingredients
- 2 T olive oil
- 1 c red onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 14.5 oz cans diced tomatoes
- 2 T capers, drained and rinsed
- 3 T lemon juice
- 1/2 t red pepper flakes
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/2 c fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 6 ounce cans white albacore tuna
- 1 lb linguine
Instructions
- Bring salted water to boil.
- Heat large saucepan on medium heat and add oil once hot. Chop onion and add with the oil. Saute for 5-7 minutes. Mince garlic cloves and add. Add your tomatoes and stir, then turn heat to simmer.
- Add pasta to boiling water and cook 7 minutes until al dente, then drain without rinsing.
- While pasta cooks, add the capers, red pepper flakes, and lemon juice to onions and stir to combine.
- Chop parsley and drain tuna. A minute or so before the pasta is finished cooking, add tuna and parsley, reserving a bit of the parsley for garnish. Gently stir to combine and break up some tuna without losing all its chunks. Add salt and pepper, to taste.
- When the pasta is done, immediately add to the pasta sauce and use tongs to gently toss with sauce. Turn off the heat and let sit for a couple minutes to allow the sauce to absorb into the pasta and flavor it. Garnish with the remaining parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
I use the white albacore tuna packed in water, but depending on your personal preference, you could also use the oil packed tuna which has a different flavor and texture. Feel free to adjust the amount of red pepper flakes, depending on your personal taste preference.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 440Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 18mgSodium: 718mgCarbohydrates: 66gFiber: 6gSugar: 7gProtein: 27g
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