Savor the luxurious flavors of creamy tuna pesto pasta.
This dish combines tender pasta with a creamy pesto sauce and chunks of tuna, making it a quick and satisfying meal.
Ideal for weeknight dinners or meal prep, it's sure to impress.
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Creamy tuna pesto pasta is a luxurious and flavorful dish that combines the rich taste of tuna with the fresh, vibrant flavors of pesto.
This dish features tender pasta coated in a creamy pesto sauce, with chunks of tuna adding protein and depth.
Ideal for a quick weeknight dinner, this pasta is also great for meal prep, as it reheats well and maintains its creamy texture.
Pair it with a side of garlic bread or a fresh green salad for a balanced and delicious meal.
The versatility of this dish allows you to use your favorite pesto, whether it's basil, spinach, or sun-dried tomato.
How to serve this pesto pasta recipe
Creamy tuna pesto pasta is a versatile dish suitable for various occasions and settings.
Serve it as a comforting main course for a casual family dinner, paired with a side of garlic bread or a fresh green salad to complete the meal.
Its creamy texture and rich flavors also make it a great choice for gatherings with friends, where it can be served as a hearty pasta dish alongside other appetizers or mains.
For more formal occasions, garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley to add to its presentation.
Whether enjoyed at home for a cozy dinner or served at a potluck or buffet-style gathering, creamy tuna pesto pasta promises to satisfy with its blend of protein-packed tuna and the vibrant flavors of pesto.
Its ability to be served warm or cold makes it a practical option for picnics or packed lunches, ensuring a delicious meal on the go.
Versatile and delicious, this dish effortlessly combines convenience with gourmet appeal, making it a crowd-pleasing favorite on any dining occasion.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Creamy tuna pesto pasta features a velvety sauce infused with the delightful essence of pesto.
- This protein-rich dish combines tuna and pasta for a hearty meal.
- It's an easy-to-make dinner choice that's ready in under 30 minutes.
- This versatile pasta dish can be served warm or chilled to suit your preference.
- Ideal for weeknight meals, creamy tuna pesto pasta offers a comforting and deeply satisfying dining experience.
Cost To Make
Estimated cost = $3.75 or $0.93 a serve
Ingredients
Please note that below is a guide for some of the ingredients we used in the recipe. The printable recipe further down the page has the complete list of ingredients, including quantities and step-by-step instructions.
- Dried Pasta: Such as penne, spirals, bowtie, linguine.
- Neutral Flavored Oil: Such as vegetable oil.
- Brown Onion: Finely chopped.
- Garlic: Minced.
- Canned Tuna: Drained.
- Salt and Pepper
- Heavy Whipping Creamy: Or thickened cream.
- Pesto of Choice: You could use store bought or homemade.
- Parmesan Cheese: Finely grated.
- Stock of Choice: Such as vegetable stock or chicken stock. If you don't have stock, you could use water.
- Fresh Parsley or Green Onions: Finely chopped, to serve.
Instructions
This recipe for creamy tuna pesto pasta serves 4. The ingredient quantities can easily be adjusted to suit how many serves you need to make.
Step One: Cook your pasta according to packet instructions. Once the pasta is cooked, drain and set aside. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water.
Step Two: While the pasta is cooking, heat the oil in a medium sized saucepan. Then, add the onion and cook until the onions are softened.
Step Three: Add the minced garlic and saute for about 1 minute. Then, add the drained tuna and fry for about 2 minutes. Lightly season with salt and pepper.
Step Four: Reduce the heat to low medium. Mix through the cream, pesto, and Parmesan cheese. If you want your pasta to have more sauce, add some of the stock. Season with salt and pepper.
Step Five: Then mix the cooked and drained pasta. Mix well, taste for seasoning and adjust as desired. Turn off heat.
Serve, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese, and fresh parsley (or green onions).
Substitutions / Variations
Here are some variations for thiscreamy tuna pesto pasta recipe:
- Substitute canned salmon or shrimp for tuna.
- Add cherry tomatoes or roasted red peppers for freshness.
- Use spinach or kale pesto for a different twist.
- Mix in grated Parmesan or feta cheese.
- Sprinkle with pine nuts or toasted breadcrumbs for texture.
- Stir in a handful of arugula or baby spinach leaves.
Serving Suggestions
Here are some ways you might like to serve this recipe for creamy pesto pasta with tuna:
- Garnish with fresh basil leaves or parsley.
- Serve with garlic bread or breadsticks.
- Pack into lunchboxes for a portable meal.
- Serve in a large bowl for family-style dining.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.
Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of water to maintain creaminess.
FAQ
Pesto is typically added to hot, freshly cooked pasta.
The heat helps release the flavors of the herbs and garlic in the pesto, creating a more vibrant and aromatic dish.
To thicken creamy pesto sauce, you can simmer it gently over low heat to evaporate some of the liquid and concentrate the flavors.
Adding a small amount of grated Parmesan cheese or a spoonful of cream cheese can also help thicken the sauce while adding richness.
Creamy pesto sauce pairs well with a variety of foods.
Serve it tossed with pasta such as fettuccine or gnocchi for a satisfying meal. It also complements grilled chicken or shrimp, roasted vegetables like cherry tomatoes or zucchini, or as a spread on sandwiches and wraps.
Additionally, it can be used as a dip for breadsticks or as a topping for pizzas.
Made this recipe? Let us know how it went in the comments below! We'd love to hear how it turned out.
Recipe
Creamy Tuna Pesto Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
- 320 grams (11.30 ounces) dried pasta, such as penne, spirals, bowtie, linguine
- 2 tablespoons neutral flavored oil such as vegetable oil
- 1 small (120 grams, 4.23 ounces) Brown Onion finely chopped
- 1 ½ teaspoons (2-3 cloves) garlic, minced
- 335 grams (11.82 ounces) Canned Tuna, drained
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- ¼ cup (66 ml/grams, 2.20 ounces) heavy whipping cream (or thickened cream)
- 2 tablespoons (20 grams, 0.71 ounces) pesto of choice, or to taste
- ¼ cup (30 grams, 1.06 ounces) Parmesan cheese, finely grated, plus extra to garnish
- ¼ cup (66 ml/grams, 2.20 ounces) stock of choice, such as chicken stock, vegetable stock, optional
- Fresh parsley or green onions finely chopped, to garnish
Instructions
- Cook your pasta according to packet instructions. Once the pasta is cooked, drain and set aside. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water.
- While the pasta is cooking, heat the oil in a medium sized saucepan. Then, add the onion and cook until the onions are softened.
- Add the minced garlic and saute for about 1 minute. Then, add the drained tuna and fry for about 2 minutes. Lightly season with salt and pepper.
- Reduce the heat to low medium. Mix through the cream, pesto, and Parmesan cheese. If you want your pasta to have more sauce, add some of the stock. Season with salt and pepper.
- Then mix the cooked and drained pasta. Mix well, taste for seasoning and adjust as desired. Turn off heat. Serve, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese, and fresh parsley (or green onions).
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