Description
This delightful canned tuna pasta combines simple pantry ingredients for a quick, flavorful meal. Featuring tender spaghetti tossed in aromatic garlic, anchovies, chili flakes, and capers, enriched with the richness of tuna oil and brightened by fresh lemon zest and juice, it’s an easy yet impressive dish perfect for weeknights or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 200g / 7oz spaghetti (or other thin long pasta)
- 1 tbsp cooking salt (for cooking pasta)
Tuna Mixture
- 285g / 10oz canned tuna in oil, drained, oil reserved (approximately 3 x 95g/3.5oz cans)
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 2 anchovy fillets, minced
- 1/2 tsp chilli flakes / red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tsp baby capers (or finely chopped pickles)
- 1 tbsp parsley, finely chopped (optional)
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp lemon juice (can substitute 1 tbsp apple cider or sherry vinegar)
- 1/4 tsp cooking/kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Cook pasta: Bring 3 litres (3 quarts) of water to a boil with 1 tablespoon of salt. Cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions minus one minute for al dente texture. Before draining, reserve about 1 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta thoroughly.
- Sauté aromatics: In the same pot used for pasta, heat the reserved tuna oil over medium heat. Add the finely minced garlic, minced anchovy fillets, and chili flakes. Cook and stir for about 1 minute until fragrant and the anchovies have dissolved.
- Toss pasta: Return the drained pasta to the pot with the sautéed aromatics. Add the baby capers and approximately 1/3 cup of the reserved pasta cooking water. Toss everything together using two spatulas for 2 minutes to combine and create a silky sauce.
- Add tuna and season: Turn off the heat. Gently fold in the drained tuna chunks, chopped parsley, lemon zest, lemon juice, cooking salt, and black pepper. Toss gently to incorporate all ingredients while keeping some chunks of tuna intact.
- Serve immediately: Transfer the pasta to serving plates and enjoy this fresh and flavorful canned tuna pasta straight away for the best taste and texture.
Notes
- Use good quality canned tuna in oil for maximum flavor and reserve the oil for cooking the aromatics.
- Anchovies add a depth of umami; if unavailable, a small amount of fish sauce can be a substitute, but omit if sensitive to strong flavors.
- Chili flakes are optional and can be omitted or adjusted depending on spice preference.
- Capers can be replaced with finely chopped pickles if desired for a similar briny tang.
- Parsley is optional but adds freshness and color.
- Lemon zest and juice brighten the dish—do not skip for best flavor balance.
- Reserve pasta water is essential to help bind the sauce and create a perfect silky texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: canned tuna pasta, quick pasta recipe, easy dinner, Italian pasta, tuna in oil, spaghetti recipe, weeknight meal
