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.
Be sure to CLICK THE SUBSCRIBE BUTTON located in the TOP MENU.
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.
Amanda
I made this last week for a quick and easy dinner, and it was perfect! Love the tuna and feta together.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
All the ingredients in this pasta and tuna recipe go well together.
Ann
This sounds like a great recipe to make when you are short on time. Great for a work lunch meal! Thanks for the recipe share!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
Quick, easy and so delicious, all important factors for busy lives.
Kim
So delicious! I love how light this tuna pasta is and the Mediterranean flavors are just perfect with it.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
We love the Mediterranean flare in this tasty pasta recipe.
Carrie Robinson
This is such a perfect dinner idea when you are short on time! 🙂 I also love that it uses so many pantry staples. I bet the brininess from the capers and olives is amazing.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
Affordable pantry staples are a must these days. ENJOJY!
veenaazmanov
Quick, easy and delicious. Love the combination for a perfect Happy Meal. Thanks for a reminder. My family to enjoy this delicious Pasta treat.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
So glad you and your family enjoyed this pasta with canned tuna.
Megane
This Tuna Pasta Toss was a real winner. I served it with some garlic bread, and it was a perfect weeknight dinner. Thanks a bunch for the recipe! 🐟🍝🥖🙌😋
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
You are very welcome, and garlic bread is delicious with this canned tuna pasta toss.
Elizabeth Flight
We loved this pasta salad! So easy to make and absolutely delicious!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
Glad you enjoyed this tuna and pasta recipe.
Helen at the Lazy Gastronome
One of the best tuna pasta salads I’ve had. My family has already requested to have it again. A perfect summer meal in a bowl!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
Thanks so much, we do love this tuna pasta as well.
Elizabeth Elizabeth
I love the simplicity of this meal. So quick and hassle-free. A great weeknight dinner!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
We all need easy weeknight meals, and this canned tuna pasta fits the bill.
Rob
This was such an easy and delicious lunch to put together. I loved the feta in it.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
I love the combination of feta and black olives in this canned tuna pasta too.
Tracy
Thanks for saving us for dinner last night! We had no time but these ingredients – it was perfect! Can’t wait to try out that book, too! Thanks for always having such great recipes!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
You are welcome. So glad you and your family enjoyed this recipe.
Sandi
What a delicious meal this was! Everyone loved it.
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
So glad you enjoyed it. It is always great when something so easy to make tastes delicious.
Lisa Grant
I love making this dinner because I always have all the ingredients in hand. Plus so easy and economical!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
It’s a winner all around.
Renee Goerger
I adore an easy seafood pasta salad in the summer. This tuna pasta toss one is one my family requests, often!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
We love the combination of tuna and noodles in lots of great dishes too.
Debra
This is definitely a HUGE step up from the tuna casserole we had as kids. Love the flavor profile with olives and capers. I will definitely be enjoying this one cold. On the list for this weekend…a great find to take to the beach!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
Thanks so much. I hope you give you enjoy this tuna pasta as much as we do. Have fun at the beach.
Jenni
This is such an easy pasta recipe and it’s full of big flavors. I love the maximum flavor for minimal effort, and so does my family! Thank you!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
YES…little effort, DELICIOUS results. Enjoy!!