Pasta With Tuna, Capers And Tomatoes

Quick pasta dishes are true lifesavers on busy days and they’re always the ultimate comfort food. This easy spaghetti with tuna and capers comes together with just a few pantry staples and minimal effort. I’ve included all the detailed steps below, so you can make it even if you don’t have any special cooking skills. The capers add a lovely touch of acidity and texture to the tomato sauce, so don’t be afraid to give them a try if you haven’t used them before!

If you are looking into more easy pasta recipes, then take a look at my orzo with shrimp and broccoli or my pasta with chicken and leeks.

Why you should try my recipe

• A quick and easy meal dish that doesn’t require any cooking skills.
• Ready in just 30 minutes.
• Great for midweek meals and busy days.
• Comfort dish that the whole family will enjoy.
• Full of protein, fiber and nutrients.

Ingredients & How-to

To make this quick and easy pasta dish, we are going to need a few simple ingredients, pasta, canned tuna, capers, onion, garlic, olive oil, tomatoes, dried herbs, salt and ground pepper.

• Pasta: I’m using spaghetti pasta but you could use any type of pasta you like and have at home.
• Tuna: I’m using canned tuna in water but you could also use the ones in oil.
• Tomatoes: I like to use passata or crushed tomatoes for the sauce. You could also use 2-3 medium tomatoes blended.
• Dried herbs: I usually use Italian seasoning or mixed dried herbs. If you don’t have either, you can use oregano or dried thyme instead.

For full quantities check the recipe down below. So let’s get started!

01. To start, I fill a large pot with water and place it over medium-high heat for the pasta. At the same time, I set another pan over medium heat to prepare the sauce. I add the olive oil and chopped onion to the pan and cook for 2–3 minutes, until the onion becomes soft and translucent.

02. Then, I add the chopped garlic, tuna, and capers. I cook everything for 1–2 minutes to let the flavors come together.

03. Next, I add the tomatoes and a cup of water. I season with salt, pepper and dried herbs and mix everything well to combine. I leave it to cook for around 15 minutes until the sauce thickens.

04. In the meantime, the water for the pasta should be boiling. I add a tablespoon of salt and add the spaghetti in.

05. When the spaghetti is cooked al dente, I add it to the pan with the sauce along with a quarter cup of the pasta water.

06. I gently mix everything together and cook for another 2–3 minutes, until the water is absorbed and the sauce coats the pasta nicely.

Tips

• Save some pasta water to add when mixing the pasta with the tomato, tuna, and caper sauce.
• Avoid overcooking the pasta, as it will continue to cook for a few minutes in the pan with the sauce.

Serving suggestions

I like to serve this tuna, capers and tomatoes pasta dish with some grated parmesan on top while it’s still hot. You could pair it with a light salad, like arugula with a balsamic drizzle or lettuce salad or a refreshing Greek salad.

Storage

Like most pasta dishes, this one is best enjoyed fresh and warm. If you have any leftovers, store them in the fridge and consume within 2–3 days. When reheating, add about a quarter cup of water to loosen the sauce and heat thoroughly.

Alternatively, you can prepare the tuna, caper, and tomato sauce ahead of time, then store it in the fridge or freeze it once cooled. When ready to serve, simply cook some fresh pasta, mix it with the sauce, and enjoy it hot.

FAQ

Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned?