This easy canned tuna pasta recipe is just what you need for busy weeknights. With some pantry staples, dinner is ready in minutes.
Tuna and pasta go hand in hand. This healthy pasta dish has lots of delicious Mediterranean flavours. Leftovers are perfect for lunch too.
Easy canned tuna pasta recipe that is quick, healthy, tasty and economical. A pantry friendly meal in minutes.
This easy tuna recipe is similar to pasta al tonno (pasta with tomatoes and tuna). With the addition of capers, olives and feta cheese, it turns into a Mediterranean fast food masterpiece.
Canned tuna recipes are budget-friendly and easy to prepare. Remember that tuna noodle casserole from my childhood? My quinoa tuna casserole is a modern twist on that classic dish.
Mediterranean tuna salad is another family favourite. You can make it into a great tuna sandwich too. Don’t stop there, this avocado tuna sandwich is so delicious.
If you love easy dinner recipes that include pasta, this recipe for one pan baked gnocchi is a must for sure.
Canned Tuna Pasta Ingredients
You really only need a few simple ingredients to make this easy dinner recipe.
- canned tuna (in oil)
- capers
- Italian seasoning
- cherry tomatoes
- salt and pepper
- olive oil
- pasta
- feta cheese
- black olives
For the most part, everyone will have the majority of these ingredients as staples in their kitchen cupboards. That is why this is such an easy meal to make. You can even make it gluten-free. Be sure to check out the suggestions below.
Easy Tuna Pasta For Dinner
This pasta recipe comes together quickly. Full instructions are in the recipe card below.
- Get the pasta water boiling.
- Wash and cut the tomatoes.
- Open and drain the tuna.
See, so much done in just 5 minutes.
- Heat the oil in a pan.
- Fry the capers. Such a great touch to the recipe.
By now your water is boiling. Add your pasta of choice and cook according to package directions. The rest is easy peasy.
- Take out the capers and set aside.
- Add the tomatoes, tuna, and seasonings to the pan.
- Cook for a few minutes.
- Drain your pasta, add to the pan, and toss.
- See, told you it is quick and easy.
- All you have to do is garnish with the cheese and olives.
- Serve and enjoy.
Suggestions / Recipe Tips
- Pasta can be any variety you like. You can I even use gluten-free pasta and it works great.
- Canned tuna is so versatile. I used tuna in oil, but feel free to use any kind you like.
- Tomatoes should be fresh. I like cherry tomatoes in this recipe, but any variety will work. If you have large tomatoes on hand, just dice them up.
- Cheese is so delicious. I love feta in this recipe but feel free to use any kind you like.
- Capers are such a great addition to this recipe. Be sure to fry them as it really takes them to another level of yum.
- Olives can be any kind you like. I used black but green, purple, or a mixture will be delicious as well.
Store leftovers in a sealed container placed in the fridge. It will last for several days. This recipe gets bonus points since leftovers can be eaten cold, making it a great lunch option.
This is the best canned tuna recipe we have ever eaten. What an economical way to feed your family. So much cheaper than take-out. Nutritious, delicious, and easy to make. Who says tuna from a can is not delicious?
Canned Tuna In Water Or Oil?
Really the choice is yours. Both are totally delicious. For me, it all comes down to the recipe I am making.
In our house, if I am making a cold tuna pasta salad, (especially if I am adding mayo) I prefer canned tuna in water. It has fewer calories and retains more omega-3s. If I am making a hot tuna pasta recipe, I prefer canned tuna in oil.
Canned tuna is also available in solid and chunk form, and classed as white or light. Either option works for all recipes. Solid tuna tends to be more expensive. Sometimes I do find the chunky tuna can be on the mushy side (depending on the brand). White tuna is Albacore. Light tunas consist of Skipjack, Yellowfin, and Tongol.
You may also enjoy these canned fish recipes:
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Easy Canned Tuna Pasta
Ingredients
- 10 ounces dried pasta (I used gluten-free pasta)
- 4 teaspoons capers (drained)
- 1 pound cherry tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (I used flavoured olive oil)
- 8 ounces canned tuna (packed in oil)
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- ¼ cup black olives (sliced)
- ¼ cup feta cheese (crumbled)
- salt & pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Put on a large pot of water to boil. Once boiling, add the pasta and cook until your desired level of doneness.
- Wash the tomatoes, cut in half. Set aside.
- Open the tuna, drain, flake and set aside.
- Heat a large (non-stick) skillet to medium-high. Add the olive oil.
- Fry the capers until crisp, and remove from pan. Set aside.
- To the pan add the tomatoes, tuna, and seasonings.
- Drain the pasta, reserving a cupful of water.
- Add the water to the pan. Cook until ingredients are heated through.
- Add the pasta and capers. TOSS!
- Place in serving bowls and garnish with olives and feta cheese.
Alida | Simply Delicious
What a great recipe!
Homemade & Yummy
Hope you give it a try….it is pefect for busy weeknights.
Kirsten
A good tuna pasta recipe is a must in any kitchen arsenal. I love that Riomare tuna has 100% trace-ability! That is very good information to know. I also love your addition of feta! Feta is an absolute must with tuna salads for me.
Homemade & Yummy
Hope you give this super easy recipe a try. This tuna is amazing, and the perfect addition to this recipe.
Krissy Allori
My entire family would love this recipe for dinner!
Homemade & Yummy
Thanks for stopping by. Hope you give this recipe a try.
Ellen
Love this is only 5 ingredients! Tucking this away for those busy school nights when I need something quick and easy.
Homemade & Yummy
I know…so easy to make. Better and healthier than takeout too.
Amanda
I love all of the delicious mediterranean flavors in this dish, Gloria! The olives, feta, tomatoes, and capers (not to mention that fried capers are one of my most favorite things ever) – YUM. I also love that this dish can be served warm or cold, making it so versatile during prime entertaining season. So easy to make!
Homemade & Yummy
This was the first time I tried fried capers. Wow they really add a nice pop to this super delicious dish.
Natalie
This looks soooo good! I love tuna pasta. But never tried adding feta and olives. That must upgraded the taste so much. I’m putting this recipe on my weekly menu. My family will love this.
Homemade & Yummy
Adding the olives and feta really takes tuna and noodles to a whole new level.
Sues
Pinned and will be making for dinner VERY soon! Tuna and pasta is one of my favorite ever combos, especially when olives and capers are involved. Oh, and feta! Plus, I love me some Jamie Oliver in my life!!
Homemade & Yummy
There is nothing NOT to love about this delicious dinner that can be made in minutes.
Adriana Lopez Martin
This pasta is a great idea for a quick dinner love that you used Mediterranean flavors too. A nice change to a typical mac tuna casserole this is much lighter and nutritious. I do enjoy simple easy recipes thanks for inspiring us!
Homemade & Yummy
Yes it is a healthy version for sure. The things you can make with some kitchen cupboard staples.
Swathi
This Mediterranean canned tuna pasta toss looks yum. I like this this best recipe for busiest time of the year.
Homemade & Yummy
We all need some help in the kitchen this time of year…ENJOY!
Anna Hettick
Cookbooks that have fast but tasty recipes are the best! And we love adding tuna to a variety of recipes in our home!
Homemade & Yummy
I know, I keep adding cookbooks to my vast collection. This one is a keeper for sure.
Tammy
Ahhh I haven’t had this in ages!! It’s so great when you need to make dinner in a pinch. Your toss looks delish, Gloira! 😀
Homemade & Yummy
Thanks so much. Hope you give this recipe a try on one of those many crazy days that we are heading into right now.
Chef Mireille
a delicious and easy pasta salad and so fresh and vibrant also. I can easily have this for lunch any time
Homemade & Yummy
Yes for sure, leftovers are great for lunch.
Carmy
I haven’t had tuna in SO long! I love canned tuna since it’s so cheap to buy and easy to just toss into your work bag as a snack. I’ll have to give your recipe a try, you definitely got my attention with that feta crumbled on top!
Homemade & Yummy
Feta makes everything delicious. Hope you give this super easy recipe a try soon.
Veena Azmanov
I love such quick and easy meals. Jamie Oliver is one of my favorite chefs. Love watching his shows on TV. I rarely make tuna with pasta but I think my kids will love it.
Homemade & Yummy
All the ingredients in this work so well together. Hope you and your family enjoy it as much as we do.
Catalina
Pasta is always a hit in our house! Pasta and tuna is the best combo ever! I love that you added a lot of ingredients that my whole family loves. I have to put this pasta on my menu.
Homemade & Yummy
ENJOY…we sure do. Super easy to make too.