This Quick Canned Tuna Pasta is just what you need for busy weeknights.
Pasta and tuna go hand in hand. With a little Mediterranean flair, this is a healthy pasta dish for dinner any night of the week. Leftovers are perfect for lunch too.
I love cheap canned tuna meals. They 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. Great for lunch or dinner.
If you love easy dinner recipes that include pasta, this recipe for one pan baked gnocchi is a must for sure.
RECIPE and INSTRUCTIONS for this easy canned tuna pasta can be found at the bottom of this post.
Canned Tuna Pasta Ingredients
You really only need a few simple ingredients to make this easy pasta with tuna:
- canned tuna (in oil)
- capers
- Italian seasoning
- cherry tomatoes
- salt & 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.
Making Mediterranean Canned Tuna Pasta
This easy pasta with tuna 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.
- Dinner is ready.
See, told you it is quick and easy.
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.
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You may also enjoy these canned fish recipes:
Quick 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.
Sam | Ahead of Thyme
Yum, this tuna pasta looks amazing! I am loving the flavour combos in this dish! Pinning to make sometime in the next week!
Homemade & Yummy
It is an upscale version of the classic we all love.
Carrie Ditton
What a great, tasty, quick, easy AND healthy weeknight dinner idea! I love the flavor combination!
Homemade & Yummy
I know, we all need a few of these recipes for sure.
Amanda Mason
I love this recipe! So delish!And I love Jamie Oliver!! The flavors in this dish just pop! Perfect mediterranean taste and super versatile! I love that!!
Homemade & Yummy
You gotta love when kitchen staples tastes this good.
anne lawton
This is such a good idea for a quick easy and healthy dinner. I love all of the ingredients in this. Thanks for sharing
Homemade & Yummy
You are welcome. Hope you give this recipe a try soon.
Nicolas Hortense
I totally agree with you that tuna and pasta are a fantastic combo! And I will have to check out some of those recipes from Jamie Oliver for inspiration. Thanks for sharing that!
Homemade & Yummy
You are welcome. Enjoy this super easy and delicious recipe.
Emily
I love capers with pasta and tomatoes. So fresh! Little bursts of joy!
Homemade & Yummy
Yes they are nice little pops of flavour in this super delicious recipe.
Cathleen @ A Taste of Madness
I always have at least half a dozen cans of tuna in my pantry. This looks so good!!
Homemade & Yummy
Well kitchen staples are the heart of this super easy weeknight dinner for sure.
Anna
I love Mediterranean cuisine, and this dish looks just so tasty and so healthy! Beautifully done, thank you for sharing!
Homemade & Yummy
This is super easy and delicious dinner that can be made in a matter of minutes. Faster than pizza delivery…and healthier too.
David
I really don’t get canned tuna much, but this recipe motivates me to get some! This looks so much more interesting than the tuna casserole concept.
Homemade & Yummy
Yes this is a great version of the traditional classic for sure. A great way to make a delicious meal with ordinary kitchen staples.
Kelly Anthony
What a smart way to spruce up canned tuna! This looks amazing. I would love it for a make-ahead lunch!
Homemade & Yummy
This would be great for lunch. That is the beauty of this recipe. You can eat it hot or cold.
Nicoletta De Angelis Nardelli
All those ingredients are music to my ears. Plus, pasta 🙂 . We love Jamie Oliver and are often inspired by him. Great quick tasty recipe!
Homemade & Yummy
Hope you give this quick and easy recipe a try. I have lots of Jamie’s books….so good.
Lindsay Cotter
What an easy and flavorful dinner! Definitely adding this to the must make list!
Homemade & Yummy
Such a great and easy weeknight meal. So much better than takeout.
Toni | Boulder Locavore
I love how flavorful it looks! So delish!
Homemade & Yummy
Thanks so much, hope you give this recipe a try.
Courtney
Oooh I love this recipe. I mistakenly purchased tuna in olive oil and wasn’t exactly sure what to make with it as we usually do a mayo based tuna salad. We did have all the ingredients in our house! Love the black olives and feta cheese with the tuna, delicious!
Homemade & Yummy
Tuna in oil is so good in this recipe….and it is healthy too.
Elizabeth
This looks SO GOOD! Tuna and pasta are my favorite combination. This update on the classic looks so good.
Homemade & Yummy
This is such an easy and delicious weeknight meal. Hope you give it a try.