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This canned tuna pasta recipe is quick, healthy, and comforting. It’s the perfect recipe when you don’t have a lot in your pantry!
You may also like my Healthy Tuna Pasta Salad or my Canned Salmon Pasta recipes.
Why you’ll love it
This tuna garlic pasta recipe takes me back to my childhood. My mom used to make something similar when I was a kid, and I just loved it. I’ve even made this with just tuna, garlic, and olive oil when I’m in a rush and I really have nothing in the fridge.
I never put this recipe on the blog because I wasn’t sure people would like it even though I know it tastes great. I did a little research, and there definitely is demand for canned tuna pasta, so I figured I’d do it! If you’re busy with after school activities, this tuna spaghetti recipe is one way to save some time and keep your sanity.
What you’ll need
- Pasta – I use spaghetti
- Olive oil – for the base of the sauce
- Garlic – use even more than suggested if you’re a big fan. I like using a garlic press to easily mince the cloves.
- Tuna – the star of this inexpensive pasta recipe! I recommend using a can of tuna packed in oil for maximum flavor.
- Lemon juice – for a pop of acidity and brightness
- Parsley – a little freshness and herb flavor
Pro tip
Check out the comments section below for reader suggestions to change up this simple tuna pasta!
How to make tuna pasta
This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.
Cook the pasta until al dente. Meanwhile, prep the other ingredients. When the pasta is almost done, heat up the oil in a saucepan. Once hot, add the garlic and cook until fragrant. Stir in the tuna, lemon juice, and chopped parsley.
Let it heat through. Once the pasta is done, drain it, reserving some of the pasta water. Add a couple of tablespoons of it to the sauce. Toss the spaghetti with the sauce, and season with salt & pepper as needed.
Substitutions and variations
- This healthy tuna pasta recipe can be jazzed up or even made more simple than it already is. For the photos I added some grated parmesan cheese and a little lemon zest (I used the same handy tool to do both so it took me like 30 seconds), but in real life I don’t usually bother.
- I like to add a handful of fresh spinach and let it wilt at the end. Sometimes I cut a handful of little tomatoes (grape, cherry, etc.) into halves and then toss them in and cook until they’ve softened.
- My mom would sometimes chop up celery leaves instead of using parsley, but I never have those on hand, so parsley it is!
What to serve with tuna pasta
- Try a big slice of Cheesy Garlic Bread or fresh crusty bread to round it out.
- I like serving this pasta with a salad. My Super Simple Parmesan Arugula Salad is really quick.
Leftovers and storage
- This tuna pasta is best eaten fresh, but it’ll keep for a few days in the fridge in a covered container.
- Reheat leftovers in a saucepan over a low heat until warmed through.
- I don’t recommend freezing the sauce. Because it’s a small quantity and so simple, it’s worth making fresh each time.
Will you give this easy canned tuna pasta a go? What’s your favorite clean-out-the-pantry recipe? Questions? Talk to me in the comments below! You can also find me on Instagram.
Easy Canned Tuna Pasta
Ingredients
- 4 ounces uncooked pasta (I used spaghetti)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 large cloves garlic minced
- 1 (5 ounce) can tuna, drained I prefer tuna packed in oil
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Boil a salted pot of water for your pasta and cook it al dente according to package directions. Prep your other ingredients while it cooks.
- When the pasta is close to being ready, add the oil to a small pan over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the garlic and cook it for 30 seconds.
- Stir in the tuna, lemon juice, and parsley. Let it heat through.
- Once the pasta is done, add some of the pasta water (a couple tablespoons) to the sauce and then drain the pasta and toss with the sauce. Season with salt & pepper as needed. Optional: serve pasta with freshly grated parmesan cheese and lemon zest.
Notes
- See blog post for some ideas on recipe variations!
- This pasta can also be found on page 27 of the Salt & Lavender: Everyday Essentials hardcover cookbook.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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This was surprisingly delicious. I’m not huge fan of tuna, and I didn’t think I’d like hot tuna, but I really enjoyed this. Very quick to make, and basic ingredients. Would definitely make this again. Thanks!!
That’s awesome! Glad you liked it, and thanks so much for your review, Cheryl. 🙂
Sounds like a great recipe and definitely will be trying it but I would never think of topping it with grated cheese. Speaking as an Italian born and raised in Sicily cheese and fish don’t usually mix. I make an excellent pasta con sarde dish with translates to bucatini pasta with sardines, fennel, pine nuts, and raisins. It’s a classic Sicilian dish from my childhood and my mother always topped it with molica which is bread crumbs pan toasted in olive oil. I would think molica would go great over your canned tuna with pasta dish.
That sounds delicious!! You can definitely skip the parmesan. I usually don’t add it when I make it. 🙂 Hope you enjoy the recipe!
Tried this for lunch , very simple and basic but great tasting ! Thank you.
You’re very welcome, Rose!
First try and the family enjoyed it, thanks!
You’re welcome, Steve!
Delicious and so easy. I added chopped celery and chopped spring onions and sautéed them lightly before continuing with recipe. Also added a little fish sauce.
Love that twist!
I made this last week and my 3-year-old loved it so much that he ate it for breakfast the next day!! I’m making it again tonight! Thank you for this recipe. I am always looking for more ways to make tuna!
Fantastic!! 🙂 So glad it was a hit!
Made this today and it was super delicious. thank u for posting !!!!
You’re welcome, Alice!! Thanks for giving it a try! 🙂
Eating this now! Quick, easy, and delicious! (and leftovers for lunch tomorrow!) Next time I’ll try some capers in there. Thanks for the recipe!
Awesome! I’m so glad you liked it! You’re welcome. 🙂
just finished making this and added parmesan romano right as i removed the pasta from the heat! really good and simple recipe, thank you so much
You’re very welcome! Glad you like it!
I want to try but I have a question first. So your liquid for the sauce is basically the pasta water and the small amount of oil please? And how much oil?
Hi! Quantities are listed in the recipe card. You must’ve scrolled past the recipe card to leave me a comment, so just scroll back up a little bit and you’ll see it. Hope you enjoy the recipe! 🙂
It was fantastic. Thank you.
🙂
Wow this was dreadful. I was deceived by the high rating.
That’s a little harsh, Dave. Hundreds of people disagree. Sounds like something went wrong in your kitchen!