Tuna Pasta Recipe

This simple tuna pasta is a Spanish favorite. This recipe is easy to make and can be made in 30 minutes. It’s made with ingredients that most people already have. This is perfect for those who want a healthy homemade pasta meal without the fuss.

When I arrived in Spain, I constantly saw Pasta con Atun listed on the lunch menus. I’d never had tuna pasta (I didn’t even know it existed). The combination was intriguing.

Soon I learned tuna pasta is the most popular recipe for Spanish college students.

This is a dish that almost anyone can prepare. You boil the pasta and add some canned tuna and tomato sauce ( tomate frito). You can also fry some garlic or onion if you are adventurous.

It’s one of my favorite dinner recipes but also a little more complex.

My twins, aged one-year-olds, love the fusilli noodles. Even leftovers (when they are left!) are tasty. ).

Key Ingredients

Ingredients for the main dish: pasta, garlic, onion, and canned tuna. Also, grated cheese with anchovies, olives, olive oil, and salt.

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

Canned tuna: Choose the best possible quality and choose it packed in Olive or water. You may need to drain some of the olive oil from the packed tuna.

Anchovy: This is optional, but adding a few anchovies to the sauce will increase the flavor (and saltiness). So add less salt. It disintegrates completely, and no one will ever know it’s there!

Olives I used large, green olives. You can use any of your favorites. You can also omit them or replace them with capers.

Tomato: I use crushed tomatoes, but many will also use tomato Sauce and Frito. You may not need additional garlic or onion if you use tomato sauce.

Pasta You can choose any pasta you like, but make sure it’s al dente. Fusilli is my favorite because it absorbs the sauce well. However, you will also see pasta like macaroni or spaghetti with tuna in Spain.

Vegetarian Adaptation

This is a Tuna Pasta Recipe (and the tuna is in the spotlight!) This could be easily adapted to make it vegetarian-friendly. You can always serve high-quality, good-quality tuna to a mixed crowd.

Add more ingredients if you don’t want to use tuna. Ideas include:

Capers

Mushrooms

Sun-dried tomatoes

Feta cheese

Tuna Pasta: Step By Step

Step 1Cook the pasta according to the instructions on the package for al dente. For the best taste, cook pasta in well-salted water.

Steps 2 – 4: Sautee the diced onion in a heavy pan for five minutes while the pasta cooks. Sauté the minced garlic for another minute. Add the tuna, tomato, and anchovy.

Step 5 Mix the tuna, tomato, and onion into the sauteed garlic and add the diced Olive. Salt and pepper can be adjusted to taste.

Step 6 Drain your pasta and add it to the pan. Stir gently to evenly coat the pasta in the sauce. Be careful not to break any of it.

Steps 8-9: Add grated cheese and add extra virgin olive oils. Enjoy immediately.

Ingredients

12 oz pasta (approx. You can eat 360g (or 3oz/80g) per person or 80g (3oz).

Extra virgin olive oil, three tablespoons

1/2 medium onion diced

Three minced garlic cloves

10 oz tuna, drained (approx. 250g, either oil-packed or water-packed

400g or 1.5 cups) crushed tomato 400g or 1.5 cups).

Ten large olives diced (optional)

Optional: 1-2 anchovies salt-cured

1/2 cup grated Manchego cheese (approx. 45g)

Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Follow the package instructions to cook pasta until it is al dente.

Heat the olive oil as the pasta cooks, and add the onion dice to a heavy-bottomed pan—Sautee for five minutes or until the onion is translucent.

Sauté the garlic for one minute more until it starts to brown.

Add the crushed tomatoes, drained tuna, and anchovies if you use them. Stir and cook on medium-high heat for 5 minutes.

Add the diced olives (and other embellishments if you use them). Add salt and pepper according to taste.

Add the pasta to the pan once it is al dente. Gently stir the pasta to coat it in the sauce.

Serve immediately. Top with grated Manchego.

Notes

Al dente pasta will continue to cook after adding it to the pan. Overcooked pasta will break and turn mushy when you stir it.

A drizzle of extra virgin Olive and sea salt is a nice touch. While not traditional, chili flakes are delicious.

Can you reheat the tuna pasta? Yes! Yes! I would microwave for 30 seconds or sauté in olive oil on a hot skillet.

Anchovies and olives may be substituted or omitted if needed. Capers, sun-dried tomatoes, and Feta cheese can also be added.