This satisfying 15 minutes Canned Tuna Pasta low-key fancy recipe with garlic butter is quick, easy and delicious! When you are in a pinch for time or have forgotten to go grocery shopping, all you need is a can of tuna and your choice of pasta! This busy weeknight pantry meal makes one hella good midnight snack too!
Jump to:
- What makes this canned tuna pasta a great recipe?
- What Kind Of Tuna Can I Use?
- Types of Canned Tuna
- Ingredient List Of To Make 15 Minute Canned Tuna Pasta with Garlic Butter Sauce
- What Kind Of Pasta Can I Use?
- Step by Step Instructions For Homemade
- Other Useful Tips
- Other Canned Tuna Recipes
- What To Serve With Canned Tuna Pasta?
- > Recipe Card
- Garlic Butter Canned Tuna Pasta (15 Minutes)
What makes this canned tuna pasta a great recipe?
Worried that you don't have enough ingredients to make a delicious meal without going to the grocery store? Perhaps you've worked overtime, had to drop the kids off to volleyball or piano practice, and now there's no time? Or maybe you've forgotten to take the meat out of the freezer to defrost? There's no need to order take-out when you can just cook up some pantry staples and make it a cheap meal!
Busy weeknights pasta recipes are beautiful like that! This easy meal is quick but still packs flavour. Dinner is ready with a handful of pantry ingredients.
Sometimes to make it extra "fancy," I'd chop up some celery leaves, cilantro or whatever I had on hand. I may even fold in some fresh spinach for an extra serving of vegetables.
I love to serve Tuna pasta with air fryer broccoli.
What Kind Of Tuna Can I Use?
Canned tuna is an excellent pantry staple to have readily available. Tuna is a super versatile source of protein. You can add tuna to pasta, kimchi fried rice, salads, sandwiches, etc.
This healthy tuna pasta recipe is as simple as you like or as fancy as possible.
Which type of tuna fish you use really boils down to personal preferences for this tuna recipe.
Types of Canned Tuna
Choose between different varieties of good quality chunk or flaked canned tuna. I prefer flaked tuna for ease of use. There is also low-sodium canned tuna.
However, I would avoid flavoured canned tuna like spicy Thai chilli and sun-dried tomato sauce.
Flaked Light Tuna
Skipjack is darker and has a fuller flavour than Albacore (white Tuna or Yellowfin (premium light) Tuna.
Solid White Albacore Tuna
Solid white Albacore tuna is creamy and white with a slight pink hue and has a mild flavour.
Yellowfin Tuna
Yellowfin tuna is creamy light, lighter in colour than skipjack light tuna and has a milder flavour.
Canned light tuna is a lower-mercury choice.
Of course, if you are not in a hurry, you can also opt for fresh tuna steaks baked or grilled.
Ingredient List Of To Make 15 Minute Canned Tuna Pasta with Garlic Butter Sauce
- Canned Tuna
- Pasta
- Garlic
- Shallots or Onion
- Butter
- Capers
- Cilantro or Parsley, optional
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Salt and Black Pepper
- Fresh Lemon
- Red Pepper Chili Flakes, optional
What Kind Of Pasta Can I Use?
You can use any pasta shape to make a simple tuna pasta recipe. I like the following because these shapes are the best pasta to hold sauce:
- Spaghetti
- linguine
- fettuccine
- Penne
Although some say, it is crucial to pair the correct type of pasta noodle with the special sauce. There is really no wrong noodle for this tuna pasta dish. Your noodle will not get lost or overwhelmed by this good pasta recipe.
Also, opt for whole wheat pasta or gluten-free pasta as desired.
Most dried ingredients, tools and supplies can be purchased at your local Asian markets and Chinese grocery stores or Amazon Online.
Other Easy Spaghetti Recipes You'll Love
Easy Japanese Mentaiko Spaghetti 明太子パスタ
Hong Kong Style Baked Spaghetti Bolognese 焗肉醬意粉
Step by Step Instructions For Homemade
Boil salted water at high heat in a large pot and cook your pasta, ex. Spaghetti al dente according to the package directions.
Cook pasta for approximately 10 minutes, drain the cooked pasta and reserve the starchy pasta water.
While the pasta is cooking, prepare the other ingredients.
Finely chop and dice shallots or onions.
Drain tuna from the water. Break up tuna if using chunk canned tuna.
Heat the olive oil in a non-stick pan or large skillet on medium heat when the pasta is almost ready.
Once the oil is hot, add shallots and chopped garlic and simmer for a minute or until softened over medium-high heat.
Stir in butter.
Add in tuna. Mix well.
Add in cooked pasta and mix well. If the pasta gets too dry, add ¼ cup of pasta water.
Once the pasta is ready to be served. Stir in capers and cilantro. Add in some fresh baby spinach for an extra serving of vegetables.
I love capers! I also add some into my tuna mixture. The pickled savoury vinegar and lemony profile really compliment the tuna taste.
Give your fresh lemon a good squeeze onto the tuna spaghetti recipe. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle with red chilli flakes if desired.
Serve and enjoy this lemony tuna pasta! Add a side of vegan garlic bread too! Broke Bank Vegan has a really delicious crispy, crunchy and dairy-free recipe!
Other Useful Tips
If you feel fancy, add lemon zest and freshly grated Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese on top.
Pro Tip: A little lemon zest and a squeeze of lemon juice are a great way to complete and brighten the creamy garlic butter sauce.
Pack this easy recipe in an airtight container for lunch the next day and add some cherry tomatoes.
This canned tuna recipe is a great starting point. Adding tuna and capers is not the only thing you can spruce up your hot pasta dish. You are not limited.
Try adding red peppers, kalamata olives, red onions, and fresh tomatoes for a nice change.
Add at least a tablespoon of salt for every 6 quarts of water when cooking pasta. Salty water is essential because it boosts the pasta's flavour!
Other Canned Tuna Recipes
- Tuna Casserole
- Tuna Tomato Pasta (Pasta al tonno)
- Cold Tuna Pasta Salad
- Creamy Tuna Pasta Bake
- Tuna Salad with Apples and Corn
What To Serve With Canned Tuna Pasta?
Did you make this Easy Pasta Recipe? What's your favourite pantry recipe?
I'd love to see how you've used my recipes! Leave a comment below or tag me on Instagram @INSTANOMSS #INSTANOMSS.
> Recipe Card
Garlic Butter Canned Tuna Pasta (15 Minutes)
This satisfying 15 minutes Canned Tuna Pasta low-key fancy recipe with garlic butter is quick, easy and delicious! When you are in a pinch for time or have forgotten to go grocery shopping, all you need is a can of tuna and your choice of pasta! This busy weeknight pantry meal makes one hella good midnight snack too!
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 5
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 2 person 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stir Fry
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
- 1 can (170g) tuna, drained (I like using chunk light tuna)
- 100g spaghetti (you can use whatever pasta you like; make it gluten-free with gluten free pasta)
- 5 large cloves garlic, minced
- 1 good squeeze of lemon juice
- half lemon, zest
- 1 tbsp butter (you can substitute with olive oil)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp capers
- 1 tbsp cilantro, rough chop
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
-
Boil salted water at high heat in a large pot and cook your pasta, ex. Spaghetti al dente according to the package directions. Cook pasta for approximately 10 minutes, drain the cooked pasta and reserve the starchy pasta water.
-
While the pasta is cooking, prepare the other ingredients.
-
Finely chop and dice shallots or onions.
-
Drain tuna from the water. Break up tuna if using chunk canned tuna.
-
Heat the olive oil in a non-stick pan or large skillet on medium heat when the pasta is almost ready.
-
Once the oil is hot, add shallots and chopped garlic and simmer for a minute or until softened over medium-high heat.
-
Stir in butter.
-
Add in tuna. Mix well.
-
Add in cooked pasta and mix well. If the pasta gets too dry, add ¼ cup of pasta water.
-
Once the pasta is ready to be served. Stir in capers and cilantro. Add in some fresh baby spinach for an extra serving of vegetables.
-
Give your fresh lemon a good squeeze onto the tuna spaghetti recipe.
-
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
-
Sprinkle with red chilli flakes if desired.
-
If you feel fancy, add lemon zest and freshly grated Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese on top.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Add at least a tablespoon of salt for every 6 quarts of water when cooking pasta. Salty water is essential because it boosts the pasta's flavour!
- We like using Flaked Light Tuna.
- Make it fancy, add red pepper chili flakes, cilantro, parsley, diced baby tomatoes, olives, etc.
- Make this a gluten-free meal with gluten free pasta.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 507
- Sugar: 4.5 g
- Sodium: 1695.4 mg
- Fat: 23.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 48.7 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 51.4 mg
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Amy Liu Dong says
That dish is so good and tasty. I can't wait to make this for everyone.
Nancy says
It's a great tuna garlic pasta night!
megane says
This recipe looks so tasty. I cannot wit to try.
Nancy says
Thanks Megan! Enjoy this!
Amy says
This was yum! So easy to whip up for a mid week meal.
Nancy says
This easy tin fish recipe saved my butt so many nights!
Elizabeth says
Wow - I would have never thought to mix these two together! Thanks for the recipe!
Nancy says
I think this tastes so good together and quick and easy snack too!
Andréa Janssen says
What a delicious recipe. Thank you for sharing.
Nancy says
You are so welcome!
Helen at the Lazy Gastronome says
A delicious and light pasta dish!
Nancy says
It's bright and not too heavy!
Karla says
I always find it interesting when someone says "these are the best shapes to hold sauce" and then lists kinds that are indeed NOT the best.... lol. There are a ton other that hold sauce so much better than the ones you listed. Typically ones with holes in them... like the penne you listed, elbow mac, etc etc etc. Great advice you're giving out here. 🙂
Nancy says
Haha thanks Karla - I love your sarcasm 🙂 Pasta shapes is such a sensitive topic here. It really is subjective isn't it?
Tayler says
I made this pasta for dinner last night and it was absolutely incredible! I love how simple it is!
Nancy says
Perfect Monday Night recipe!
Holley says
I love how easy this recipe is! Such a great and tasty idea!
Nancy says
I lovee pantry recipes
Jamie says
This is so delicious and easy to make! Perfect for dinner!
Nancy says
Happy cooking!
Nathan says
I've got some canned tuna in my pantry that I wasn't sure what to do with, but now I can use it for this yummy pasta dish! Can't wait to give it a try, thanks for the recipe!
Nancy says
That's perfect ! easy recipe for busy nights!
Liza says
What a great recipe! I'm always trying to find new ways to enjoy fish, and the combination of mild tuna with garlic and pasta is sooo tasty. The lemon and capers take it to a whole new level!
Nancy says
Lemon and capers are my favourite part too!
Laressa says
perfect dish for a pantry clean out - thanks for sharing!
Nancy says
I love this easy last minute pantry weekday dinner recipe!
Elaine says
I always have canned tuna in my kitchen. And I often find myself in need of a quick easy recipe. This one ticks all the boxes!
Nancy says
This easy recipe always hits the spot especially when I'm in a hurry!
Mahy says
This reminds me of how long I haven't had pasta at all. Yet, this tuna pasta is perfect in every sense!
Janessa says
Yum! This canned tuna pasta made for such a quick and tasty dinner.
Cat | Curly's Cooking says
Garlic butter and pasta - what a winning combination!
Lesley says
What a great quick and simple pasta dish, using ingredients most of us will have too.
Sisley White - Sew White says
A beautiful dish and we've made it so many times now. Thank you for hosting CookBlogShare x
Jo Keohane says
I love dinners you can make with store cupboard ingredients. So useful - thanks for posting.
Janice says
A perfect store cupboard recipe and so tasty.
Veronica says
Canned tuna is a great standby to keep in the kitchen for a quick and easy meal. This sounds delicious - I'm definitely going to try it. Anything made with pasta has got my name all over it!
Bobbie says
This was so easy to make and a light healthy dish! Thanks for the recipe.
Jerika says
Canned Tuna Pasta is an awesome alternative for a pasta for me!:) Thanks!
Marcellina says
Ooooh, I love the convenience of canned tuna - I always keep a few in the pantry. The combination with pasta is superb! Thanks for another amazing recipe!
Alexandra says
Simple and delicious pasta dish full of great flavour.
Jan says
For such an easy recipe this was tasty and satisfying. Will be making this again
Sunrita says
Made this for my kids the other day and it was just delicious! Loved it!
Oscar says
This was a quick and easy pasta to make. Love the added touch with the capers, so good.
Nancy says
THanks Oscar! Capers are my favourite!
Linda says
I love a quick, easy, and satisfying dish like this one. Pluss, who can say no to pasta
Nancy says
says no one!
Addie says
Such an easy and delicious dish! I love this for busy weeknights. Yum!
Nancy says
we love it with other canned fish as welL!
Magali says
A great and quick recipe that is perfect for dinner. Thanks for the recipe!
Agnieszka says
This canned tuna pasta is so quick, easy and just delicious! Definitely making it again.
Nora says
This pasta was amazing! So delicious! Can't wait to make it again! Thanks for sharing!
Kayla DiMaggio says
Love this canned tuna pasta! So easy and delicious!
Keri says
We made this tuna pasta casserole for dinner and really enjoyed it! It's always great to have an easy go to dinner recipe in your back pocket. Thank you!
Gina Abernathy says
I love great tasting recipes that are also so simple to make.
Jen says
the best dinner to make, love how garlicky this tuna pasta is.
Michelle says
This reminded me of a canned tuna pasta dish my mom would make when I was a kid. Except elevated! So good!
Jeannie says
my go-to carbo loading recipe, this garlic tuna pasta is easy to prepare and also not expensive.
Emily Flint says
This tuna pasta was so delicious and easy to make. A keeper for sure.
Cat | Curly's Cooking says
A fantastic pantry pasta dish that is simple but packed full of flavour.
Carrie Carvalho says
Such a great pantry pasta for when you think you’ve got no food in the house! All the flavours go so well together.
Nancy says
totally!! low key fancy!
Sisley White says
I love quick and simple recipes like this, perfect for when the fridge is empty!
Nancy says
it's my go to meal!
Gabriela says
I love the addition of capers in this Tuna pasta.
Chloe says
This is really smart - I've always made a béchamel based tuna pasta bake but never thought about using canned tuna for a more simple pasta dish - this is going on the menu plan!
AmyG says
This is just up my alley. Protein filled, quick, tasty and best of all, got my carbs! Love it!
Nancy says
BINGO! easy peasy!! with all the extra time I can sneak in some ME time!
Kristen says
What an awesome quick meal for weeknights!
Nancy says
it's my go to before I have a melt down thinking what to make for dinner again!
Terri says
This is the PERFECT tuna dish - I am caper crazy, and I always have some kind of pasta and tuna around!
Nancy says
It really does make a big difference doesn't it? 🙂
Sharon says
I love new tuna ideas! It's can be a good bargain meal too which is good for the budget. 🙂 Great tip about enough salt in the water for your pasta too!
Nancy says
it totally is!! super economical !!
Wanda says
I love that you've added capers to this pasta dish! Always on the hunt for new canned tuna recipes, so bookmarking!
Nancy says
Capers is my favourite and it adds such a nice pop of brightness to an otherwise rich dish!
Bernice Hill says
This post speaks to me...I ALWAYS forget to take meat out of the freezer. The solution is a quick bowl of this tuna pasta dish. It's so full of bright flavours and takes very little time to prepare.
Nancy says
You and I both! Freezer full of food and sometimes we have nothing to eat still! ahaha
Sabrina says
Wow, this is so simple and so tasty. Truly great for busy times, or these days, avoiding the grocery store. Thanks, I love it!
Nancy says
i'm all for avoiding grocery shopping right now!!! Hope you enjoy the extra time 🙂
Terri says
So easy and delicious! I'm always on the hunt for simple and delicious canned tuna recipes!
Nancy says
Didn't think canned tuna was so versatile until now!
Cynthia Priest says
Yum, you had me at garlic butter sauce. Saving this recipe to make on pasta nights.
Cynthia Priest says
Hey Nancy, just wanted to update that I made the recipe. I didn't have capers on hand but found that adding parmesan cheese to the pasta made it instantly delicious with the garlic butter sauce.
Nancy says
YES!!! Adding parmesan is a great idea !! i don't usually have that on hand but if i do, i'd go to town with it!!!
Nancy says
we are having pasta nights 3x a week now!! more time to play at the park!
Sharon says
This sounds FAB! I have been rotating tuna into our meals almost weekly lately. I am happy to have another way to prepare it! Love the simplicity.
Nancy says
Same here!! I haven't really had much tuna until now! 🙂
Kristen says
Love this - canned tuna is our go to on nights when we don't know what else to have or don't feel like cooking so this is a perfect addition to our repertoire.
Nancy says
Isn't it such a great source of protein and versatile item?
Kelly Neil says
Yum, this reminds me of a pasta from my favourite Italian restaurant and I've always wanted to make it at home! Thanks!
Nancy says
It's super easy to make and you don't have to pay $20 a dish 🙂
Vanessa says
What a fantastic idea to turn canned tuna into a satisfying meal.
Nancy says
It definitely is!! and canned tuna goes above and beyond sandwiches!
Ayngelina Brogan says
I must admit I was a bit hesitant when I read the title of the dish, but this looks really good and so quick to make!
Nancy says
haha I guess the name canned tuna isn't very fancy but trust me it is totally satisfying!!