Description
This Tuna Spaghetti in Tomato Sauce is a flavorful and easy Mediterranean-inspired dish made with canned tuna, olives, and a spicy tomato sauce. It’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner and comes together in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
- 300 g (10.5 oz) spaghetti
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 onion, peeled and finely diced
- 2 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper (plus extra to serve)
- 1/2 tsp dried chilli (red pepper) flakes
- 2 x 400 g (2 x 14 oz) cans finely chopped tomatoes
- 1 tsp sugar
- 2 x 145 g (2 x 5 oz) cans tuna in olive oil, drained and flaked
- 100 g (3.5 oz) mixed olives, drained, pitted, and halved
- To Serve:
- 50 g (1/2 packed cup) grated Pecorino or Parmesan cheese
- 30 g (1 packed cup) baby salad leaves
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Cook the spaghetti in boiling salted water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
- Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced onion and cook for about 5 minutes until softened.
- Add garlic, salt, pepper, and chili flakes. Stir and cook for 1 more minute.
- Add chopped tomatoes and sugar. Stir, bring to a boil, then simmer for 4–5 minutes until slightly reduced.
- Gently stir in the drained tuna and olives. Simmer for another 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally without breaking up the tuna too much.
- Add the cooked spaghetti and toss to coat in the sauce. Use reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed.
- Divide among bowls. Top with grated Pecorino cheese, baby salad leaves, a drizzle of olive oil, and extra black pepper.
Notes
- Use tuna in olive oil for richer flavor, but tuna in water also works.
- Add capers or sun-dried tomatoes for extra Mediterranean flair.
- This dish reheats well for lunch the next day—store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- Use gluten-free pasta to make the dish gluten-free.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
