Easy Canned Tuna Pasta

Name: Easy Canned Tuna Pasta
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
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))

Modified: Feb 10, 2026 · Published: Sep 5, 2023 by Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy 164 Comments

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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.

Canned tuna pasta with tomatoes, olives and capers.

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 Toss easy dinner recipe.

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.

Canned tuna and tomatoes getting cooked for the tuna pasta toss.

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.

Gluten free pasta getting added to the pan, Tuna Pasta Toss is almost ready to eat.

See, told you it is quick and easy.
All you have to do is garnish with the cheese and olives.
Serve and enjoy.

Canned tuna and pasta for a quick budget-friendly meal.

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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