3 Easy Canned Tuna Pasta Recipes
Make these canned tuna pasta recipes with ease. These pastas are so easy and quick with just a few ingredients you might already have.
Got a few canned tuna to use up? Why not create 3 easy canned tuna pasta dishes with them?
All of them are quick. You can make while you are boiling the pasta noodles in the water. If you are in a hurry and want something simple, delicious, yet healthy meals, these 3 canned tuna pastas will fit your need.
More Canned Tuna Dishes
Pasta #1: Rigatoni with Tuna, Zucchini, Lemon, & Breadcrumbs
Toasted breadcrumbs adds a nice crunch to the pasta and makes the whole dish to the next level. Therefore, please don’t skip it. To make this canned tuna pasta, all you will need is zucchini, garlic, lemon, & fresh parsley. And, of course, a can of tuna as well. That’s it! Don’t be shy with the toasted breadcrumbs when you serve. The more, the better. This is one of my quick go to pasta recipe when I am in a rush or needs a quick meal.
Pasta #2: Spaghetti with Tuna, Tomatoes, & Olives
This simple yet flavorful canned tuna pasta is everyone’s favorite. You can’t go wrong with the combination of tomatoes and olives. I used Kalamata olives but other kind of canned olives will work fine, too. I like to add a little bit of capers just to give a little zing to the dish, but you can skip it. I used fresh cherry tomatoes for this pasta, but you can certainly use canned diced or crushed tomatoes instead. That will make the pasta more saucy.
Pasta #3: Penne with Ricotta and Watercress
Ricotta cheese makes this pasta very creamy. The lemony ricotta sauce binds the canned tuna and Penne pasta, and creates very delicious pasta dish. I like the slightly bitter watercress in the creamy sauce. You can use spinach or even broccoli if you don’t care for the watercress. Don’t be shy on Parmesan cheese.
3 Easy Canned Tuna Pastas
Recipe Video
Ingredients
Pasta #1: Rigatoni with Tuna, Zucchini, & Breadcrumbs
- 8 oz Rigatoni pasta
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 can, 5 oz tuna in oil, drained
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, sliced
- 1/2 tsp chili flakes
- 1 zucchini, diced
- juice of 1/2 lemon
- salt & pepper to taste
- 3 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Pasta #2: Spaghetti with Tuna, Tomatoes, & Olives
- 8 oz Spaghetti pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 10 oz cherry tomatoes, cut in half
- 1/4 cup chopped kalamata olives
- 1 tbsp capers, optional
- 1/2 tsp chili flakes, optional
- 1 can, 5 oz tuna in oil, drained
- salt & pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tbsp Parmesan cheese
Pasta #3: Penned with Ricotta and watercress
- 8 oz Penne pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup ricotta
- 1 can, 5 oz tuna in oil, drained
- zest of 1 lemon
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 bunch watercress
- salt & pepper to taste
- 4 tbsp Parmesan cheese
Instructions
For the pasta #1:
- Cook pasta in boiling water according to the package direction.
- Toast the breadcrumbs in a skillet over medium-low heat until golden brown. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.
- Add olive oil in a pan over medium heat, cook garlic and red chili for 1 minute. Add the zucchini and cook until crisp tender. Add the tuna and stir gently. Add the cooked pasta, lemon juice, and parsley; toss well. Season with salt and pepper if needed. Sprinkle breadcrumbs on top when serving.
For the pasta #2:
- Cook pasta in boiling water according to the package direction.
- Heat olive oil over medium heat, add onion and garlic and cook until tender. Add tomatoes, olives, caper, and chili flakes (if using). Add the tuna and stir gently until tomatoes are slightly soft. Add the cooked pasta and a ladle of pasta water; toss well. Season with salt and pepper if needed. Sprinkle parsley and Parmesan cheese.
For the pasta #3:
- Cook pasta in boiling water according to the package direction.
- Heat olive oil over medium heat, add onion and garlic and cook until tender. Add milk and ricotta cheese to incorporate them together and cook until the sauce slightly thickened. Add the tuna and stir. Add the watercress and stir. Add the cooked pasta, lemon zest, lemon juice, and cheese; toss all together. Season with salt and pepper if needed. Sprinkle more cheese if desired.
We always have canned tuna on hand, and love using it in easy dishes like this. Terrific recipes — thanks.