Simple & Hearty Tuna Olive Pasta
Overcome COVID-19 with a Satisfying Meal: Easy Tuna Pasta Recipe
In times like these when grocery shopping can be challenging due to the pandemic, here’s a wonderful one-dish meal you can make with just a can of tuna: Tuna Pasta. Let’s introduce this incredibly easy and satisfying recipe.
Ingredients- Spaghetti noodles (or linguine, fettuccine, etc., to your preference)
- Olive oil (enough to generously coat the pan)
- 2 Tbsp Garlic (minced or sliced)
- Salt to taste
- 1 can Tuna (including the oil)
- 1-2 tsp Tuna extract (or anchovy sauce/fish sauce)
- Peperoncino or dried chili flakes (for adult portion, optional)
- Dried parsley (optional, for garnish)
- Grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for enhanced flavor)
- Black pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add a pinch of salt and cook the spaghetti noodles for 8 minutes. To prevent sticking, add a few drops of olive oil to the boiling water. Reserve about a cup of the pasta water before draining.
Step 2
Heat a skillet over medium-low heat and add a generous amount of olive oil. Sauté the garlic (minced or sliced) until it turns golden brown and fragrant. If using minced garlic, be careful not to burn it. Using minced garlic can be a great way to incorporate garlic flavor without noticeable pieces for picky eaters.
Step 3
Add the entire can of tuna, including the oil, to the skillet with the garlic and sauté together. If you prefer a spicy kick, crumble in some peperoncino or dried chili flakes at this stage. To make a separate, milder portion for children, set aside some of the tuna and garlic-infused oil before adding the chili.
Step 4
Drain the cooked spaghetti (cooked for 8 minutes) and add it directly to the skillet with the tuna and garlic mixture. Stir-fry everything together. You can add dried herbs like parsley or basil at this point for extra aroma. Add a little reserved pasta water as needed to help the sauce coat the noodles evenly.
Step 5
Season the pasta by adding tuna extract, anchovy sauce, or fish sauce. Adjust the amount according to your taste preference. If you don’t have any fish sauce, salt can be used for a clean, simple seasoning.
Step 6
Serve the pasta onto plates. Garnish with grated Parmesan cheese and a crack of black pepper, if desired. For the children’s portion, gently reheat the reserved tuna and oil mixture in the skillet, toss with plain noodles, and adjust seasoning as needed. Enjoy a delicious tuna pasta meal for the whole family!
