Toss together a tin of tuna, a can of crushed tomatoes, and a packet of spaghetti or pasta of your choice, to make this remarkably simple yet delicious, protein-rich dinner Tuna Pasta recipe. Quick and easy, this meal comes together in the time it takes to cook the pasta.

A welcome break from creamy pasta recipes, the tuna pasta with tomatoes tastes light and refreshing. Made with easily available pantry staples, it is a no-fuss one-pot recipe that can easily become your go-to weeknight recipe. The sauce is tangy, and garlicky with chopped briny olives giving it more of a Mediterranean twist.

Why you will love this pasta

A few weeks ago, we returned from an extended vacation, tired and hungry and ready for some good ol’ homecooked food. Unfortunately, a trip to the grocery was out of question and I was left to rummage in my pantry for something that could be thrown together quickly.

I pulled out a tin of tuna, can of crushed tomatoes and some spaghetti and within no time had this flavorful and hearty meal ready to be served.

So, for those days when a trip to the grocery is not possible, I always recommend keeping a few packaged products ready at hand and you can quickly whip up a healthy and fresh meal.

And the reasons why I think you will love this recipe are-

Quick – Comes together in the time it takes to cook the pasta.
Easy – Simple ingredients and an even simpler method, make it a breeze to make.
Healthy – Tuna is an excellent source of protein that is low in fat and calories. (Canned tuna packed in water)
Budget-friendly – Grab a few cans of tuna and crushed tomatoes when they are available on discounts at your local store. Not only does this save you a trip to the grocery for fresh produce, it also ensures that a quick budget-friendly meal is always available to you.
But, on regular days, do not skimp on your vegetables and fruits. They provide you with crucial nutrients to keep you healthy and strong.

And did I forget to mention the taste? Well, lets get on to making this recipe and let the amazingly refreshing taste speak for itself!

Spaghetti mixed with tomato tuna sauce and seasoned to perfection.

Ingredients

Pasta – I prefer Spaghetti for my tomato tuna pasta, but any pasta that you may have in your pantry like penne, fusilli, linguine or rigatoni works just as well.
Tuna – Canned tuna in water makes a lower-calorie version of this dish. If you use tuna packed in olive oil, a little of the same olive oil can be used to fry the garlic and chili flakes. Alternatively, you can completely drain out the canned olive oil and add the olive oil of your choice.
Tomatoes – Canned crushed tomatoes are processed and packed at their peak ripeness and hence the taste remains consistent when used in such recipes. Replacing with fresh tomatoes is possible, but it would require a little more effort and time.
Dry White Wine – A splash of white wine enhances the flavors and provides the required acidity. It is an optional ingredient and can be skipped.
Kalamata Olives – The dark purple olives add a robust flavor and a pop of color to the dish.
Garlic – Added as an aromatic to enhance the taste and aroma.
Olive oil – A perfect fat to roast the garlic and chili flakes in.
Parsley – As a garnish for its herby taste and crunchy texture. I also use fresh Italian Basil when I have it on hand.

Let’s make Tuna Pasta In Tomato

Cook the pasta

Cook the pasta of your choice as per the package instructions. Reserve a half cup of pasta cooking water. Drain the rest and keep the cooked pasta aside.

Saute and stir – Garlic, Chili flakes, and Tuna.

As the pasta is cooking, heat olive oil in a large skillet and add chopped garlic. Saute till it releases a nice aroma. Lower the flame, add the red pepper flakes and stir them in for a few more seconds.

Add the drained tuna and stir it so that it mixes well with the garlic and chili flakes. Add the white wine and let it cook till the liquid is reduced to half and you can no longer smell the alcohol.

Garlic and chili flakes roasted in olive oil. Tuna and white wine stirred in.

Make Tomato Sacue

Stir in the crushed tomatoes, chopped olives and seasonings. Add salt to taste. Mix them well with the tuna and let it bubble for 3-4 minutes.

Thick sauce with crushed tomatoes, chopped olives and seasonings.

Add the Spaghetti. Garnish with parsley. Serve.

Add the cooked pasta to the pan and gently coat it with the sauce. If you like more sauce in your pasta, add the required amount of the reserved pasta water. Garnish it with freshly chopped parsley and your delicious Tomato Tuna Pasta is ready to be served.

Tomato tuna pasta with Spaghetti, tomato and tuna sauce with olives and seasonings, garnished with parsley.

Can I Use Fresh Tomatoes?

During summer when tomato season is at its peak, they burst with sweetness and flavor. We absolutely love this Summery Cherry Tomato pasta. You can use fresh tomatoes(especially Cherry tomatoes) to make Tuna pasta.

After you saute garlic and red pepper flakes, add cherry tomatoes. Cook until you see small blisters, press them in the back of the spoon to form a sauce. Once the tomatoes are cooked, add drained tuna and white wine. Simmer the sauce for the alcohol smell to evaporate. Follow the rest of the steps as per the recipe.

Best Canned Tuna For Pasta?

With so many options and theories out there, sometimes It gets overwhelming to find the right variety of Tuna. Look for sustainably sourced large solid-cut tuna with no added salt. I prefer albacore, Yellowfin, or Skipjack in spring water. You can also go for tuna in good quality extra-virgin olive oil.

Make ahead and store leftover

As this dish comes together in a jiffy, I would not recommend making it ahead. It tastes the best when it is freshly put together and eaten warm.

Storing Leftovers –

The leftovers can be refrigerated in an air-tight container for 3-4 days. Microwaving works best for re-heating the pasta. If you heat it on the stovetop, add a splash of water to keep it from drying out.

Freezing –

If you have made a large batch and would like to freeze it, better to plan this before adding the cooked pasta to the sauce. This can be done by portioning out the amount you want to use and freezing the rest of the sauce separately.

Serving suggestions

The tomato tuna pasta makes for a hearty meal with protein-rich tuna and carb loaded spaghetti. I love to sprinkle a good dose of freshly grated parmesan while serving. You can have your daily dose of vegetables by roasting them and having them on the side. Fresh green salad is another good option.

Excess sauce can be mopped up with some toasty crusty garlic bread or a slice of Quick No-knead Foccacia.

And why add the wine only to the dish? Dry white wine pairs beautifully with this pasta. So relax and enjoy your pasta with a glass of deliciously crisp, dry white wine.