This Mediterranean tuna pasta with canned tuna, capers, lemon, and arugula sings with bright and zesty flavors and couldn’t be simpler to make. Dive into this culinary adventure that promises not just a meal but an experience filled with the essence of the Mediterranean.
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Whenever I’m stuck ruminating on what to cook for a quick and easy dinner, my mind typically goes to pasta. The versatility of pasta is unmatched; whether you’re craving something light and fresh or rich and hearty, there’s a pasta dish to satisfy your hunger. I have so many easy pasta dishes I love, many featuring pantry staples, including my pasta puttanesca, my 5-ingredient cacio e pepe, and my delightful spaghetti alla carbonara. This Mediterranean tuna pasta is ridiculously easy to make and packed with flavor that transports you straight to the sun-soaked shores of the Mediterranean. With just 7 ingredients (not including olive oil, salt, or pepper), this dish is perfect for those busy weeknights. The only thing you’ll be cooking is the pasta! You literally just throw all of the other ingredients into a bowl, toss them with the cooked pasta, and voila! Dinner is served. I love preparing this tuna pasta with spaghetti, using high-quality albacore tuna packed in olive oil for a rich taste. Toss everything together with olive oil, lemon, arugula, capers, and fresh herbs to create a light and fresh meal bursting with vibrant Mediterranean flavors. This pasta recipe is a go-to when I’m cooking solo just for myself, and it never fails to hit the spot.
Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or enjoying a quiet meal at home, this Mediterranean tuna pasta is sure to impress. It’s a fantastic dish to showcase your culinary skills while keeping things simple and stress-free.
Each bite of this pasta is a celebration of flavor; the combination of the briny tuna and capers with the freshness of arugula and the zing of lemon is simply divine. This dish is not only delicious but also incredibly nutritious, making it a fantastic choice for a healthy meal without sacrificing flavor.
Imagine sitting at a rustic table in a quaint Italian village, enjoying a plate of this delectable pasta while soaking in the warm sunshine. That’s the beauty of Mediterranean cuisine; it’s not just about the food, but also about the experience and connection to the vibrant culture surrounding it.
Why You’ll Love It
- Apart from the arugula, lemon, and parsley, this easy tuna pasta is made with basic pantry staples
- It’s ready in just 10 minutes or so since you prep everything while the pasta cooks
- This tuna pasta is loaded with awesome Mediterranean flavor and is super adaptable
Let’s dive deeper into the pantry tuna pasta ingredients to understand their roles in creating this masterpiece. Each ingredient contributes a unique flavor and texture, making this dish a delightful experience from start to finish.
This dish can easily be modified to suit your preferences. Add more vegetables like cherry tomatoes or zucchini for an extra nutritional boost, or swap the arugula for spinach or kale for a different flavor profile. The possibilities are endless!
Pantry Tuna Pasta Ingredients
- Long, thin pasta—spaghetti or linguine are perfect for this
- Canned tuna—use albacore tuna, packed in olive oil (the best quality you can afford, since it’s the star ingredient here, and this isn’t tuna salad).
- Olive oil—extra-virgin, as always
- Kosher salt—always, for flavor
- Lemon—we’ll use the zest and juice to give this pasta some brightness and a little zing
- Red pepper flakes—for the tiniest hint of heat (but totally optional)
- Capers—for a salty, briny pop
- Fresh parsley or dill—for some herbaceousness
- Arugula—for a fresh, peppery bite and some nice leafy greens
- Freshly ground black pepper—for serving
Find the complete recipe with measurements below.
How to Make This Tuna Pasta
- Cook the pasta. Season the water generously and cook until al dente.
- Toss it all together. While the pasta is cooking, add the tuna, olive oil, lemon zest and juice, salt, red pepper flakes, and capers to a large bowl. Drain the pasta once it’s ready and add to the bowl, tossing everything together with tongs. Add the arugula, tossing the pasta a few times before adding the greens so they wilt without getting soggy.
- Season and serve. Taste and add more salt or red pepper flakes if desired. To serve, top with parsley or dill, or a combination of both with a few grinds of black pepper.
Recipe Variations
- Feel free to add a small clove of grated garlic if you love garlic
- Olives could be a nice addition to this pasta
- Use anchovies instead of tuna
- Add some chopped roasted red peppers or sun-dried tomatoes
Storage
This pasta is best eaten the day it’s made, but it could also be stored in the refrigerator and eaten the next day. This pasta dish does not freeze well so I don’t suggest doing so.
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Mediterranean Tuna Pasta
Ingredients
- 12 ounces spaghetti
- 2 cans albacore tuna packed in olive oil
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 3 tablespoons capers drained
- 3 tightly packed cups arugula
- ¼ cup flat-leaf parsley or 2 tablespoons fresh dill , finely chopped, for serving
- Freshly ground black pepper for serving
Instructions
- Bring a large stock pot of water to a boil and season generously with kosher salt. Add the spaghetti and cook until al dente, about 10 minutes.
- While the pasta is cooking, add the tuna, olive oil, lemon zest and juice, salt, red pepper flakes, and capers to a large bowl. Drain the pasta once it’s ready and add to the bowl, tossing everything together with tongs. Then add the arugula (you want to toss the pasta a few times before adding the greens so they wilt without getting soggy). Taste and add more salt or red pepper flakes if desired. To serve, top with parsley or dill and some grinds of black pepper.
Notes
Olives could be a nice addition to this pasta
Use anchovies instead of tuna
Add some chopped roasted red peppers or sun-dried tomatoes
I love Mediterranean flavors, and this tuna pasta looks so fresh and light! Can’t wait to give it a try.
I love Mediterranean flavors, and this tuna pasta looks so fresh and light! Can’t wait to give it a try.2