This tomato and tuna pasta is a simple, satisfying dish with a rich tomato sauce and flaky tuna throughout. It uses cupboard ingredients and comes together quickly without any complicated steps.
It is a reliable choice for busy evenings, budget-friendly cooking, or when you need a filling meal using what you already have at home. The method is straightforward and well suited to beginner cooks.
Recipe Information
Difficulty: Easy
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 20 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes
Servings: 2 to 3
Ingredients
For the pasta
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250 g dried pasta such as penne, fusilli, or rigatoni
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Salt, for the cooking water
For the sauce
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1 tablespoon olive oil
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1 small onion, finely chopped
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2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
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1 x 400 g tin chopped tomatoes
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1 tablespoon tomato purée
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1 teaspoon dried oregano
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1 x 160 g tin tuna in spring water or oil, drained
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Freshly ground black pepper
To finish
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Grated cheese or a drizzle of olive oil, optional
Step-by-Step Method
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Bring a large saucepan of water to the boil. Add a good pinch of salt and cook the pasta according to the packet instructions until just tender. Reserve a mug of the cooking water, then drain.
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Heat the olive oil in a frying pan over a medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 5 minutes until soft and translucent.
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Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds, stirring gently so it does not brown.
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Stir in the chopped tomatoes, tomato purée, and dried oregano. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 8 to 10 minutes until slightly thickened.
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Flake the tuna into the sauce and stir gently to combine. Season with black pepper.
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Add the cooked pasta to the sauce along with a small splash of the reserved pasta water. Toss until evenly coated.
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Remove from the heat and adjust the consistency with more pasta water if needed.
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Serve immediately, finished with grated cheese or a little olive oil if you like.
Cooking Tips
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Keep the heat gentle once the tomatoes are added to avoid splashing.
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Flake the tuna carefully so it stays in soft pieces rather than breaking down too much.
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Pasta water helps loosen the sauce and improves the overall texture.
Variations
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Add a handful of sweetcorn or sliced olives for extra texture.
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Stir through a small splash of cream for a richer sauce.
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Use wholewheat pasta for a higher-fibre option.
Serving Suggestions
Serve straight from the pan with a green salad or garlic bread on the side. This dish is filling on its own but works well as part of a simple family meal.
Storage and Reheating
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Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
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Reheat gently on the hob or in the microwave with a splash of water to loosen the sauce.
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Not suitable for freezing.
