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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 recipe is so easy and light. I cooked if for my kids brunch. They liked it. I added some carrot, paprika and jalapeno.
Thank you!!
I haven’t tried this recipe, but will. My sister in law in Norway, makes something very similar. She uses the tuna already in oil, doesn’t add any extra oil, adds the garlic and slices of leeks. Very yummy!!!
Hope you love it!
Tuna is great done is way. I also do something very similar only as a stir fry using a pack of noodles, scallions and one or two small sweet peppers. I drain the tuna but save the oil. It has some water in it so I do not use the oil for the stir fry but add it to the noodles at the end for added flavour. The lemon takes it over the top.
Sounds good to me!
I followed the recipe to a T (subbing Gluten-Free pasta) and it was absolutely delicious!
Thank you for a great recipe. Everyone in my family loved it!
Yay!! You’re very welcome, Camila!
I added some halved cherry tomatoes and pinenuts for a little crunch. I think capers would be a nice add too but had none. Simple, quick and delicious.
Thank you for a great recipe!
You’re very welcome, Dan!
I added peas and half a bag of fresh herbs and fresh Dill, I didn’t add the lemon. This was delicious I highly recommend this recipe.
Thank you, Dennis!
Super quick, easy and YUMMY!! I doubled the lemon juice since I love lemon and added plenty of salt and pepper and it was so delicious!! Will definitely be making this again!
Wonderful! Thanks, Mel!
Definitely different, I liked it but it seemed like something was missing. I’ll try it again and ramp it up a bit. We didn’t have any tuna in oil so maybe that would have added more flavor and moisture. A word to the wise, be careful when adding the lemon and tuna to the oil! It really splatters!!
Any suggestions on how to get the tuna mixed in better? It seemed like it all kept falling to the bottom.
Hi! I usually add the cooked pasta to the saucepan and toss it well. Breaking the tuna up into really small pieces helps.
Only canned tuna recipe my oldest daughter will eat. She also has celiacs disease, so this is a quick, tasty, and CHEAP meal for the whole family.
I’m thrilled it’s a hit, Marie! Thanks for your 5-star review!
Delicious! I spiced up my batch with caramelized white onion, added red pepper flake, dill, capers, extra garlic (of course), a pad of butter and extra lemon zest! This is for sure one of my staples moving forward!
I love that!!
Usually pasta and fish? No way but surprisingly it was very good
Glad you liked it!