Tuna Pesto Pasta is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that combines the bold flavors of tuna fish and pesto sauce with hearty pasta. This flavorful recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight meal or a special dinner with friends and family. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a satisfying and flavorful dish that is sure to become a new favorite in your recipe rotation. In this article, we will explore the history of tuna pesto pasta, share tips for making the perfect dish, and provide variations to suit your taste preferences. Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with this tasty combination of flavors!
We love to enjoy this tuna pesto pasta recipe all year long. Whether it's for a quick weeknight meal or as part of our Feast of the Seven Fishes celebration, this dish is always a favorite. Its simplicity and rich flavors make it perfect for any occasion, from casual dinners to holiday feasts.
The Feast of the Seven Fishes is an Italian-American Christmas Eve tradition where families celebrate by serving a variety of seafood dishes. It typically includes seven different types of fish or seafood, symbolizing the anticipation of the birth of Jesus and honoring the Italian custom of abstaining from meat on Christmas Eve.
Looking for more easy seafood recipes? Try my Seared Scallops with Coucous, Pasta with Clams, Seafood Risotto, Asparagus Aglio e Olio, Baccalà Fritto (Fried Salt Cod), and Baked Calamari.
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🌟 Why You'll Love this Recipe
- Quick and Easy Tuna Pesto Pasta: This tuna pesto pasta recipe is perfect for busy weeknights. It comes together in minutes with simple ingredients like canned tuna packed in olive oil and store-bought pesto, making it a convenient, hassle-free, and dairy free dish that still delivers big on flavor.
- Flavor-Packed and Comforting: The combination of starchy pasta water, nut-free pesto, and tender tuna creates a creamy, rich sauce that coats the pasta perfectly. Topped with grated Parmesan cheese and a hint of red pepper flakes, this pesto pasta tuna dish is both satisfying and comforting.
- Versatile for Meal Prep or Gatherings: Whether you're preparing an easy tuna pesto pasta for a quick dinner or using gluten free pasta for a pesto pasta salad at a family gathering, this recipe is versatile enough to suit any occasion. It’s a dish you can love for both meal prep and special meals.
🥘 Ingredients
- Spaghetti or Linguine – This pasta forms the base of the easy tuna pesto pasta, providing a comforting, al dente texture that absorbs the flavorful pesto and tuna mixture. You can also use gluten-free pasta to accommodate dietary preferences.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil – Adds a rich, smooth flavor that enhances the sautéed garlic and tuna. It’s essential for creating the perfect base in this pesto pasta recipe, making the dish extra fragrant and delicious.
- Garlic – Finely chopped garlic provides an aromatic, savory foundation that complements the pesto tuna pasta. It’s lightly sautéed to release its natural flavor before being combined with the canned tuna packed in olive oil.
- Canned Tuna Packed in Olive Oil – I like to splurge on a really good, high-quality can of tuna. It makes such a difference in this pesto tuna pasta, adding a richer, more flavorful base to the dish. The oil from the tuna adds extra depth and moisture.
- Pesto – Whether store bought or homemade, the pesto is the star of this recipe, bringing bold, herbaceous flavors to coat the pasta perfectly. When I have time, I love making my own pistachio pesto for extra freshness, but store bought works wonders for quick meals. You can also use a nut free pesto.
- Starchy Pasta Water – Reserved from the cooked pasta, this water helps thin the pesto and create a creamy sauce that clings to the noodles in the pesto tuna pasta. It’s like magic for turning the pesto into a silky, restaurant-quality sauce.
- Grated Parmesan Cheese – Adds a salty, umami-rich flavor when sprinkled on top of the pesto pasta tuna. A generous sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan is a must for me—it’s the perfect finishing touch that makes every bite even more delicious.
- Red Pepper Flakes – Optional but recommended, red pepper flakes add a subtle kick of heat that elevates the dish’s overall flavor, balancing the richness of the pesto and tuna.
- Salt – Used to enhance the flavors of the pesto, tuna, and pasta, ensuring every bite of this tuna pesto is perfectly seasoned.
- Pasta Water – Essential for bringing everything together, the pasta water helps adjust the consistency of the pesto and ensures the sauce coats the noodles evenly.
See recipe card for quantities.
🔪 Step by Step Instructions
Boil the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces of spaghetti, linguine, or your favorite pasta shape. Cook according to the package instructions until al dente, usually 8-10 minutes. Before draining, scoop out 1 cup of the starchy pasta water and set it aside. Drain the pasta but don’t rinse it.
Sauté the Garlic: In a large skillet or saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil over medium-high heat. Add 2 finely chopped garlic cloves and cook for about 30 seconds, until fragrant but not browned.
Cook the Tuna: Add 10-12 ounces of canned tuna packed in olive oil, including the oil from the cans, to the pan. Be careful as it may splatter. Break up the tuna with a spoon and sauté just until heated through, about 1-2 minutes. Turn off the heat and set aside.
Combine Pesto and Pasta: In a large serving bowl, add 1-2 cups of pesto (depending on how much you like pesto). Add the cooked pasta to the bowl and toss it together using tongs. Slowly drizzle in the reserved starchy pasta water, a little at a time, to help thin out the pesto and coat the noodles evenly. You may not need the entire cup of water.
Add the Tuna: Gently fold in the cooked tuna and garlic mixture into the pesto pasta, making sure everything is well combined.
Season to Taste: Add salt to taste, and for an extra kick, sprinkle in a pinch of red pepper flakes if desired.
Serve and Garnish: Serve the pesto tuna pasta in bowls and top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. For a burst of freshness, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice can also be added if you like.
👩🏼🍳 Chef's Tips
- Use High-Quality Tuna – Splurging on a good can of tuna packed in olive oil will elevate your pesto tuna pasta. The rich, flavorful tuna complements the pesto beautifully and adds depth to the dish.
- Reserve Starchy Pasta Water – Don’t forget to reserve some of the starchy pasta water before draining. It helps create a smooth, creamy sauce by thinning the pesto just enough to coat the noodles perfectly without making the dish too dry.
- Don't Overcook the Tuna – When sautéing the tuna, cook it just until heated through. Overcooking the tuna can dry it out, so keeping it moist will give you the best texture in your easy tuna pesto pasta.
📖 Substitutions & Variations
Different Pasta – If you want to change things up, try using penne, fusilli, or farfalle instead of spaghetti or linguine. These shapes hold the pesto well and add a different texture to the pesto tuna pasta. Gluten-free pasta is also a great option if you need to make the dish gluten-free.
Alternative Proteins – If you’re not a fan of canned tuna packed in olive oil, you can substitute it with canned salmon, grilled chicken, or even shrimp for a twist on the classic pesto tuna pasta. Each option brings its own flavor to the dish while still pairing well with the pesto.
Add Veggies – To boost the nutrition and color, consider adding veggies like cherry tomatoes, spinach, or zucchini. Cherry tomatoes provide a burst of sweetness, while spinach adds a pop of green and extra nutrients to your tuna pesto pasta.
Lemon Zest or Juice – For a fresh, zesty variation, add some fresh lemon juice or lemon zest to the pesto pasta. It brightens the flavors and pairs beautifully with the tuna and pesto, adding a nice citrusy note.
Nutty Pesto – If you want a bit more texture, try adding crushed nuts like walnuts, almonds, or pine nuts to the dish. This gives a crunchy contrast and deepens the flavor of the pesto pasta tuna. Or try my pistachio pesto.
🍴 Serving Suggestions
Wine Pairing – A crisp Sauvignon Blanc or a light, unoaked Chardonnay pairs beautifully with tuna pesto pasta. The wine’s acidity cuts through the richness of the pesto and tuna, while its bright notes enhance the herbaceous flavors of the dish. For red wine lovers, a light Pinot Noir offers a refreshing contrast to the savory tuna.
Roasted Baby Broccoli – Serve your tuna pesto pasta with a side of roasted baby broccoli. The slightly charred, tender broccoli provides a nutritious and flavorful contrast to the rich pesto sauce, adding a subtle earthy flavor that pairs perfectly with the pasta.
Seafood Appetizers – Make this pesto pasta the star of the meal by pairing it with seafood appetizers like fried shrimp, fried salt cod, or baked calamari. These appetizers bring a crispy, savory bite to the table, enhancing the Mediterranean flavors of the pesto tuna pasta and rounding out the meal beautifully.
Salad or Bread – For a lighter option, pair the tuna pesto pasta with a simple green salad, dressed with lemon and olive oil for freshness. Alternatively, serve it with crusty garlic bread or ciabatta to soak up the pesto sauce, adding a satisfying crunch to the meal.
💭 Recipe FAQs
Yes! This recipe is versatile, and you can use any pasta shape you prefer. While spaghetti or linguine works great, shorter shapes like penne, fusilli, or farfalle also hold the pesto sauce well. If you're gluten-sensitive, gluten-free pasta is a great option and works just as well.
Absolutely! This tuna pesto pasta is perfect for meal prep. You can make it in advance and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When reheating, you might want to add a little extra olive oil or a splash of water to refresh the sauce and prevent it from drying out.
🥣 Storage & Reheating
Storage: Tuna pesto pasta keeps for up to 3 days when stored in an airtight container in the fridge. Allow the pasta to cool completely before refrigerating to maintain the best texture and flavor. This recipe is great to add to your weekly meal plan and meal prep.
Freezing: While it’s best enjoyed fresh, you can freeze this tuna pesto pasta. Place the cooled pasta in an airtight container or freezer bag, removing as much air as possible. It can be frozen for up to 1 month.
Thaw: To use, thaw the pasta in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of reserved pasta water, olive oil, or even fresh pesto to restore the sauce's creamy texture. Stir occasionally until heated through, about 5-7 minutes.
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🥗 Pairing Recommendations
Did you make this recipe? Please leave a 5-star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating & comment below to let me know how it came out. Thanks for visiting!
📋 Recipe
Tuna Pesto Pasta
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Equipment
- Large pot for boiling pasta
- Skillet or large saucepan
- Tongs or wooden spoon for tossing the pasta
- Large serving bowl
- Grater (for Parmesan cheese)
- Colander (for draining pasta)
- Instructions
Ingredients
- 12 ounces Spaghetti or Linguine or gluten-free pasta
- 1 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 2 large Garlic Cloves finely chopped
- 10-12 ounces Canned Tuna packed in Olive Oil 2 cans
- 1-2 cups Pesto store-bought or homemade
- 1 cup Starchy Pasta Water reserved from cooked pasta
- Salt to taste
- Grated Parmesan Cheese for serving
- Red Pepper Flakes optional
Instructions
- Boil the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces of pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente (8-10 minutes). Before draining, reserve 1 cup of the starchy pasta water. Drain the pasta, but do not rinse it.
- Sauté the Garlic: Heat 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Add 2 finely chopped garlic cloves and cook for 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
- Add the Tuna: Add 10-12 ounces of canned tuna packed in olive oil (including the oil from the cans) to the skillet. Break up the tuna gently and sauté until heated through, about 1-2 minutes. Turn off the heat and set aside.
- Combine Pesto and Pasta: In a large serving bowl, add 1-2 cups of pesto. Toss the cooked pasta into the bowl using tongs or a wooden spoon. Gradually drizzle in the reserved pasta water, a little at a time, to thin the pesto and coat the noodles evenly. Use only as much pasta water as needed to achieve a smooth consistency.
- Mix in Tuna: Add the sautéed tuna to the pasta and pesto mixture. Toss gently until everything is combined.
- Season and Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, as needed. For a little heat, sprinkle with red pepper flakes. Serve with freshly grated Parmesan cheese on top.
Notes
- Use High-Quality Tuna: Splurging on a good can of tuna packed in olive oil will elevate this dish with extra flavor and moisture.
- Save Your Pasta Water: The starchy pasta water helps create a silky sauce when combined with the pesto. Use just enough to thin out the sauce without making it watery.
- Gluten-Free Option: This recipe works well with gluten-free pasta, making it a versatile option for different dietary needs.
🌡️ Food safety
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
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