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Plate of spaghetti with tomato sauce, olives, and cheese, garnished with parsley.

Mediterranean Tuna Pasta

Mediterranean Tuna Pasta is a harmonious blend of flavors that will transport you to the sunny coasts of the Mediterranean. This dish combines the simplicity of pantry staples with the vibrancy of fresh ingredients, creating a meal that's not only delicious but also quick and easy to prepare. Whether you're looking for a light and healthy lunch, a satisfying dinner, or a dish to impress your guests, this Mediterranean Tuna Pasta is the perfect solution.
5 from 1 vote
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Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Keyword: pasta, spaghetti, tuna
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 491kcal
Author: Lola Jay

Ingredients

Pasta

  • 1 lb spaghetti linguine, or bucatini
  • Save pasta water

Sauce and Toppings

  • 2 cans tuna in olive oil
  • 3 tablespoon olive oil
  • 4-6 cloves garlic coarsely chopped
  • ¼ white onion grated or diced
  • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper
  • 2 tablespoon tomato paste
  • ⅓ cup white wine
  • 28 oz can San Marzano whole tomatoes
  • 2 teaspoon fish sauce
  • ¾ cup black olives or kalamata olives sliced in half
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • Fresh parsley
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Cook the Pasta

  • In a large pot of salted water, cook 1 lb of spaghetti, linguine, or bucatini according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
    Woman in kitchen cooking spaghetti in pot, surrounded by wooden cabinets and flowers by the window.

Prepare the Sauce

  • In a large skillet, heat 3 tablespoon of olive oil over medium low heat.
    Pouring olive oil into a frying pan on a sunny kitchen counter.
  • Add 4-6 coarsely chopped garlic cloves and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
    Grating onion into a pan; a clever cooking tip to disguise ingredients for picky eaters.
  • Add in grated or finely diced white onion.
    Grating fresh garlic into olive oil in a pan, enhancing flavor for a delicious dish. Cooking preparation in action.
  • Add in red pepper flakes and sauté for another 30 secs to 1 minute.
    Cooking chopped garlic in oil with a wooden spoon in a large stainless steel pan.
  • Turn the heat to medium and stir in 2 tablespoon of tomato paste and cook down for 2-3 minutes.
    Person cooking in kitchen, adding ingredient to sautéing onions in stainless steel pan, close-up shot.
  • Pour in ⅓ cup white wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits. Reduce and cook down the wine for 4-5 minutes.
    Pouring liquid into a pan to make a sauce, with a wooden spoon stirring, in a kitchen setting.
  • Add 28 oz of San Marzano whole tomatoes, crushing them with your hands or a spoon.
    Pouring canned tomatoes into a skillet for cooking sauce, with a wooden spoon stirring gently.
  • Add in oregano, salt, pepper, and 2 teaspoon of fish sauce.
    Person adding herbs to a steaming pan in a kitchen setting.
  • Let the sauce simmer for 10 minutes until thickens.
    A simmering pot of homemade tomato sauce with garlic and spices in a stainless steel pan, kitchen backdrop.

Combine Tuna and Sauce

  • Drain and add 2 cans of tuna.
    Person adding canned tuna to a tomato-based sauce in a pan on a stove.
  • Stir in black olives.
    Cooking black olives in tomato sauce with wooden spoon in a pan, kitchen scene.
  • Mix well, trying to not break up the tuna and let the flavors meld for a few more minutes.
    Person cooking rich tomato sauce with chunks of fish in a skillet, stirring with a wooden spoon.

Toss the Pasta

  • Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the sauce.
    Delicious spaghetti with rich tomato sauce in a skillet being stirred with tongs on a wooden counter.
  • Toss to coat, adding reserved pasta water as needed to achieve a silky consistency.
    Person stirring spaghetti in tomato sauce with tongs in a kitchen setting.
  • Add in the fresh cut parsley and lemon zest.
    Person cooking spaghetti in a pan with vegetables, herbs in a cozy kitchen setting.

Garnish and Serve

  • Transfer the pasta to a large bowl.
    Person serving delicious spaghetti with tongs in a white bowl, set on a wooden kitchen counter.
  • Serve immediately, garnished with additional lemon zest and parsley, if desired.
    Delicious spaghetti with tomato sauce, olives, and herbs in a white bowl on a wooden table. Perfect Italian meal.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1.5cups | Calories: 491kcal | Carbohydrates: 85g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 0.1mg | Sodium: 1712mg | Potassium: 1607mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 2216IU | Vitamin C: 33mg | Calcium: 84mg | Iron: 5mg