Canned Tuna Pasta

This article may contain affiliate links, please read our disclosure policy.

This canned tuna pasta is ready in minutes and contains tons of healthy fats and satisfying protein to keep you full for hours. Plus, the simple ingredients mean you won’t need to spend hours darting between grocery stores to find what you need!

Love this? Try this Mediterranean Sardine Pasta or this Italian Rice Salad.

Why You’ll Love It

When I have very little time to prep dinner but still want something tasty and packed with protein, I often make this recipe.

It’s ridiculously easy to make and incredibly flavorful, even though you just need a handful of ingredients. 

Onion and garlic form the savory base, while the capers give this dish a tangy, salty deliciousness.

Throw in the zingy lemon juice and refreshing parsley, and you’ll have a well-rounded, filling dish that you’ll be cooking week after week!

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • Onion and garlic: To give flavor and roundness to the dish.
  • Long pasta: Anything from spaghetti to bucatini will work fine. Short pasta works, too, as an alternative.
  • Lemon and lemon juice: The zest and juice of a lemon bring a tangy flavor that works beautifully with the fish.
  • Capers: Gives the dish a salty, complex flavor.
  • Tuna: Use good quality tuna packed in extra virgin olive oil, if available.
  • Fresh parsley: For freshness and herby flavor.
  • Salt and black pepper.
Laid out ingredients of canned tuna pasta: Tuna, pasta, lemon,capers,onion,garlic, and parsley.

How to Make Canned Tuna Pasta

Step-by-step overview. Full ingredients and instructions are in the recipe card below.

Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Then, cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente (photo 1). Reserve about a cup of the pasta water before draining.

Sauté the aromatics: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add a bit of the oil from the tuna cans. Sauté the onions until translucent (usually about 5 minutes). Add the minced garlic and cook for about a minute until fragrant (photo 2).

Add the tuna and the rest of the ingredients: Add the tuna to the skillet and break it up gently with a fork (photo 3). Cook the tuna on low heat for a couple of minutes until they’re heated through. Stir in the lemon zest, drained capers, chopped parsley, and lemon juice (photo 4).

Toss everything together: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss everything together. Add some of the reserved pasta water to create a silky, emulsified sauce before seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.

A skillet with all the ingredients for canned tuna pasta, being tossed together with tongs.

Serve and enjoy: Plate up the pasta and garnish it with additional chopped parsley. Serve hot and enjoy!

Notes and Tips

  • Substitute parsley with dill: If you’re not a fan of parsley, dill is a great alternative that gives the pasta a subtle, herby flavor.
  • Do not add parmesan (ever!): Adding Parmesan on pasta with fish is a big no-no in Italy. The taste of Parmesan can easily overpower the taste of the tuna. So, yes, avoid at all costs!
  • Add some chili flakes and/or a handful of cherry tomatoes: Chili flakes are an excellent way to bring light spice to this pasta, while a handful of cherry tomatoes bring sweetness and freshness!

Serving Suggestions

A hand mixing canned tuna pasta with a fork.

How to Store

This pasta is best consumed fresh, but you can also store it in the fridge. Just let it cool to room temperature and put it in an airtight container. You can then refrigerate for up to 3 days.

To reheat, add a splash of water to the pasta and put it in the microwave or in a pan. The water prevents the pasta from becoming too dry.

If you try this canned tuna pasta recipe, please leave a comment and a rating and let me know how much you liked it!

Canned Tuna Pasta

This canned tuna pasta is ready in minutes and contains tons of healthy fats and satisfying protein to keep you full for hours. Plus, the simple ingredients mean you won’t need to spend hours darting between grocery stores to find what you need!
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time20 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Servings: 6
Calories: 224kcal
Author: Sara Trezzi

Ingredients

  • 1 onion - finely chopped
  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • 12 oz long pasta - like spaghetti or bucatini
  • The zest of 1 lemon
  • 2 tablespoons drained capers
  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 2 cans tuna - 5 ounces each, packed in extra virgin olive oil – drained
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley - chopped, plus more for garnish
  • salt and black pepper

Instructions

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and salt it.
  • Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta cooking water before draining.
  • In the meantime, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add some oil from the tuna cans and sauté the onion until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
  • Add the tuna to the skillet. Break it up gently with a fork and cook for a couple of minutes until they are heated through. Stir in the lemon zest, drained capers, chopped parsley, and lemon juice.
  • Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing everything together. Add some of the reserved pasta water to create a silky sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Plate the pasta, garnishing with additional chopped parsley.

Notes

Note 1 – Pasta water is key: Don’t forget to reserve some pasta water before draining. The starchy water helps emulsify and thicken the sauce, ensuring it coats the pasta evenly.
How to store: This pasta is best consumed fresh, but if you have any leftovers, let them cool at room temperature, then transfer them into an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheating: When reheating, add a splash of water to the pasta. This can help prevent it from becoming too dry.
 
*Nutrition information is a rough estimate per serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 224kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 1g | Sugar: 2g

Did you make this recipe? Tag @gatheringdreams on Instagram. I want to see it!

Share Your Thoughts

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating