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Easy Canned Tuna Pasta (Ready in 15 Minutes!)

173 Comments

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This canned tuna pasta recipe is quick, healthy, and comforting. The perfect recipe when you don’t have a lot in your pantry!

This healthy 15 minute canned tuna pasta is a great time-saver when you're short on time and ingredients!

This tuna garlic pasta recipe takes me back to my childhood. My mom used to make something similar when I was a kid, and I just loved it.

She’d sometimes chop up celery leaves instead of using parsley, but I never have those on hand, so parsley it is!

I hadn’t made this recipe in a while, and I really enjoyed eating it after I finished the photos. I never put this recipe on the blog because I wasn’t sure people would like it, even though I know it tastes great. I did a little research, and there definitely is demand for canned tuna pasta, so I figured I’d do it.

I can’t believe it’s September already. I’m sure everyone is saying it, but it kinda snuck up on me. I love summer, so I’m sad to see it go, and I’m so not ready for fall.

In any case, if you’re busy and frazzled with back-to-school activities, this tuna spaghetti recipe is one way to save some time and keep your sanity.

This healthy 15 minute garlic tuna pasta is amazing when you're short on time and ingredients!

This healthy tuna pasta recipe can be jazzed up or even made more simple than it already is. For the photos I added some grated parmesan cheese and a little lemon zest (I used the same handy tool to do both so it took me like 30 seconds), but in real life I don’t usually bother.

I’ve even made this with just tuna, garlic, and olive oil when I’m in a rush and I really have nothing in the fridge (it’s rare I don’t have parsley).

You may also like my healthy tuna pasta salad or my creamy tuna pasta salad recipes.

This easy canned tuna pasta recipe is the perfect simple dairy-free dinner when you're short on time and ingredients. Garlic and lemon make this a deliciously comforting weeknight dinner!

Will you give this easy canned tuna pasta a go? What’s your favorite clean-out-the-pantry recipe?

Questions? Talk to me in the comments below!

This healthy 15 minute canned tuna pasta is a great time-saver when you're short on time and ingredients!
4.87 from 58 votes
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Easy Canned Tuna Pasta

Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Keyword canned tuna pasta, tuna garlic pasta
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 2
Author Natasha Bull

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 large cloves garlic minced
  • 1 (5 ounce) can tuna, drained I prefer tuna packed in oil
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped
  • Salt & pepper to taste
  • 4 ounces uncooked pasta (I used spaghetti)

Instructions

  1. Boil a salted pot of water for your pasta and cook it al dente according to package directions. Prep your other ingredients while it cooks.

  2. When the pasta is close to being ready, add the oil to a small pan over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the garlic and cook it for 30 seconds.

  3. Stir in the tuna, lemon juice, and parsley. Let it heat through. 

  4. Once the pasta is done, add some of the pasta water (a couple tablespoons) to the sauce and then drain the pasta and toss with the sauce. Season with salt & pepper as needed. Optional: serve pasta with freshly grated parmesan cheese and lemon zest.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Bex H says

    5 stars
    I was looking for something a little lighter than my usual tuna with cream cheese, or tuna with tomato and basil sauce. This fits the bill perfectly! I’ve used garlic, parsley, and lemon for chicken before, but never thought to switch the chicken for tuna! My youngest son had requested “something with tuna” and this went down very well with everyone! Many thanks!

    Reply

  2. Susan says

    Delicious, quick, inexpensive and protein packed! All I had in my pantry were rice Ramen Noodles. Light and perfect – love it!

    Reply

    • Percy says

      5 stars
      I thank you for this, I’ve been trying to change the way I eat for gaining muscle mass and just to eat healthier purposes and tuna was a staple food in doing so but I just couldn’t find anything good to do with it before I stumbled upon this!
      Only thing I did was add a little Italian Dressing for more flavor but great recipe!

      Reply

      • Natasha says

        I eat this a lot for the same reasons haha. The pasta gives me energy for the weight training, and the tuna is protein. So glad you liked it!

        Reply

  4. Rebecca says

    Oh my God. Amazing recipe, my husband loved it. The only thing different I added was some butter and fill for more taste.

    Reply

  5. joanne s says

    5 stars
    I make similar dish, but adding more lemon, some zest and a couple of cans of artichoke quarters makes it a perfect dish for us. This is good warm or cold., and really nice cold, on a hot night in summer.

    Reply

  6. Emma says

    5 stars
    I came looking for inspiration for some unloved cans of tuna languishing in my store cupboard and yours was the perfect recipe! I added some frozen peas to mine, which needed using up too. Absolutely delicious and so quick and easy to make. So glad I found your blog, I will be back again I’m sure! Thank you.

    Reply

  9. Leslie says

    5 stars
    Thank you so much for this. All I had was tuna, pasta, garlic, and olive oil. Added Trader Joe’s onion salt, crushed red pepper flakes, and a little balsamic. So amazing!

    Reply

  11. RTE says

    Your garlic will taste better if you let it sit 10-15 minutes after cutting it up & before adding it to the pan. Enzymes, baby!

    Reply

  13. Christine says

    5 stars
    Wow! My husband and I LOVED this recipe. It was delicious!!! I followed your recipe, but added one anchovie and some chili flakes, and an extra can of tuna. FANTASTIC! I can’t wait to try your other recipes. Thank you.

    Reply

  14. Stephanie Leogrande says

    5 stars
    This was SO PERFECT! We were out of power most of last month thanks to PG&E shutoffs and are still restocking our cabinets. We didn’t have any lemon juice but we did have pickled jalapeños so I used some of that juice and chopped up a little bit of jalapeño and threw that in with a dash of Worcestershire sauce. Topped with a bit of red pepper flakes made for one TASTY meal. Thank you for sharing this!

    Reply

  15. CrittrKpr says

    5 stars
    So glad I found your site. I used a whole pound of spaghetti, for the 4 of us. Leftovers tomorrow will be great! I tripled the garlic, added red hot pepper flakes and seeds, 2 cans of tuna, EXTRA lemon juice and some Cavanders Seasoning. THIS WAS GREAT! For an Italian Family to rave about it, you know it is good.

    Reply

  16. Rome says

    Thank you for this recipe! I wanted to try something for breakfast, but all I had was shirataki noodles, a couple can of tunas, some olive oil. Mixed them together and wow what an amazing treat!

    Reply

  17. Kiera says

    5 stars
    I Added Butter The Olive Oil And Garlic , Then Fresh Spinach , Sauteed The Fresh Spinach For A Bit Then Continued With The Recipe . I Aslo Used Small Rigatoni , And Added Parmesan And Provolone Cheese

    Reply

  18. Doug D. says

    5 stars
    I used Fettucini with Tuna in Water (drained) and doubled the lemon juice and I also added 2 Tbps of Nonfat Greek Yogurt… excellente!

    Reply

  19. Diana says

    3 stars
    Used broccoli slaw mix, roasted red peppers, capers, red pepper flakes, lemon juice, garlic, parsley, italian seasoning, tuna, and olive oil. Tasty lunch.

    Reply

    • Sylvie Weller says

      5 stars
      Hallo, ihr Lieben, ich bin leider die einzige in meiner Familie, die Thunfisch mag… aber ich brauche für mich selbst immer mal was schnelles& leichtes zum Kochen, vielen Dank, salt&lavender

      Reply

  21. Irene says

    Thanks Natasha for the great recipe!
    I literally had just googled “canned tuna recipes” (as a broke student) and so glad I stumbled upon your dish 😀
    I didn’t have parsley, but added the fresh garlic, lemon and some dried herbs like rosemary and basil. What a delight!

    Reply

    • Shadisa says

      Me right now. Didn’t have parley so I used chives instead and added some oregano, paprika and ground geera (cumin). Pretty great!

      Reply

    • Gilly Hindmarsh says

      live in Zimbabwe and did your tinned tuna recipe using garlic, onions, celery leaves and a few cherry tomatoes, a hint of chili and of course the tinned tuna. Very easy and simply delicious.

      Reply

  22. SARAH Rosenthal says

    Ok your target is back to school? Def would talk about scaling and using the full 16 oz package.would advise only 2 cans tuna and in oil! with salt/fish sauce/msg to help extend the flavor. Yum.

    Reply

  23. Tia says

    5 stars
    What a great way to make a MEAL with very few ingredients or with whatever ingredients you have on hand! I was getting low on veggies & some pantry items but found a bunch of cans tuna. I was out of celery and mayo to make a tuna salad, so I started a internet search for a tuna recipe. I found this one and I am so glad that I did!

    I doubled this recipe except for the tuna which I tripled b/c I had so many cans of it and wanted to use it before the expiry date. I used dried parsley in place of fresh b/c I didn’t have fresh. I also added a tsp each of dried dill & dried chives, 1/2 cup finely diced onion, 1/8 tsp red pepper flakes, the rest of a bag of leftover frozen peas and used gluten free linguine.

    I also decided to use up what was left of some white wine (a lil over a cup) mixed with a tsp of Organic Veggie Broth base and added it to the pan with the tuna to cook down a bit before adding the pasta water & pasta. I didn’t use any cheese due to dietary restrictions, however I clearly did not need it because this dish was delish without it!! Thanks so much for a delicious, healthier & easier dinner option with tuna than just than just tuna salad & tuna casserole!🙆

    Reply

  25. Raven says

    5 stars
    Thank you for such an easy recipe! I had all the ingredients except for the cloves but I did have garlic powder and that was a great substitute! Me and my 5 yr old son are full and satisfied 🙂

    Reply

  26. R Cassens says

    I’ve been making a version of this for years, except I sauté minced onion & shallots in olive oil & butter then add an entire (small) stalk of celery, leaves and all well chopped, afterwards I add the zest and juice of a lemon before adding several cans of tuna in water – all drained except for one and one can of tuna in oil (also drained). Plenty of fresh pepper and finished with crunchy salt. We prefer it with spaghetti.

    Reply

  27. TYE says

    Omgosh, I made it today with Cajun sausage thin sliced and added yellow peppers and seasoning. It was so good. I am so happy I have something new to make. Thank you

    Reply

  28. TYE says

    5 stars
    I made this for lunch today and it was delicious. I have extreme migraine triggers, and this gives me a safe meal to eat that isn’t a loaded gun. I used pouch tuna in oil and I have been running out of ways to eat it. Thank you for sharing!

    Reply

  29. Ivy says

    5 stars
    I haven’t tried your recipe yet, but I remembered cooking something similar. I added heavy cream and pesto. So good!

    Reply

  31. Sarah Clark says

    5 stars
    My super picky one year old loved this! I used elbow noodles and threw in some peas! Thanks for the recipe!!

    Reply

  33. Brian says

    5 stars
    Just finished eating — outstanding and will be making again! I added red pepper flakes with the garlic sautéing and then drained capers with all the other Ingredients and loved the additions.

    Reply

  34. Dania says

    5 stars
    I was looking for a post-gym meal/ dinner and made this. Absolutely great! Will probably be making it for dinner everyday! Thank u so much🤤

    Reply

  35. Judy Mosterd says

    4 stars
    This is easy and tasty! I would make the sauce and leave out the tuna and toss that in cold as the smell made me gag. Hubby added red pepper flakes. Added steamed broccoli and had salad with it. Will make again!

    Reply

  36. Sara says

    I was so happy, I was able to make this recipe it so easy to make and so fast to make it I add fresh garlic and test so good, my husband love it so much …thank you so much my Natasha..

    Reply

  37. Megan says

    5 stars
    Super easy, delicious, and quick to make!!! Great for a fast family dinner. I would have never thought of using canned tuna like this.

    Reply

  38. Karen says

    5 stars
    Loved how easy this was, with stuff I already had on hand. I added a few chopped dried Roma tomatoes packed in oil. It added a nice “zing” to an already great dish. Thanks so much!!

    Reply

  39. Samantha says

    5 stars
    I just added McCormick grill
    Master chicken blend and a small stall of celery. 1/4 cup of salt pork crispy. To vermicelli noodles with tomato pesto. You see my man doesn’t like tuna but keeps buying it for myself. So tonight I’ve made this .. and he ate half the pot! Definitely worth ten 🌟❤️💯

    I took pictures lol do t see how to add them 😞 makes a pretty presentation. A definite keeper and would serve this as a dinner party main dish easily 😍🥰

    Reply

    • Natasha says

      Yay! I am so glad it worked out, Samantha. You can’t add photos on my blog, but if you’re on Instagram you can hashtag it (or tag me in the post) and if your account is public, I will be able to see it. 🙂

      Reply

  41. Anne says

    5 stars
    I never leave comments on recipes, but I just had to say that I’ve made this half a dozen times since I saw it a few weeks ago. So so good. Thank you !!

    Reply

  42. Dumpling12 says

    5 stars
    I am really happy I came across this recipe, it’s really simple and easy to make, all I had at home was a can of tuna and spaghetti. turns out you can make a really good dish in 15 minutes. 🙂 will make it again for sure. 🙂

    Reply

  44. Lynn Crawford says

    5 stars
    I don’t know where I got this, but I’ve been making this since the early 1970s. We were broke, underemployed, and paying off school loans. We both loved it. I tried variations, but the only ones I kept were more lemon juice, a small amount of garlic oil instead of the garlic cloves, and some fresh lemon thyme leaves. Wonderful recipe.

    Reply

    • Natasha says

      Isn’t it funny how this recipe gets around? My mom used to make it for us in the 90s haha. I love the garlic oil idea!

      Reply

  46. Claire says

    Thank you for a fast & simple recipe that was a hit with all my family. Will definitely be making this again

    Reply

  47. Chloe says

    I was so anxious from work relqted stress. So, I tried this recipe and it made me so happy and relieved. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

  48. Doug says

    This is fabulous and so straightforward to make. It ticks all the boxes: quick, easy, store cupboard ingredients and popular with everyone. Many of the tweaks on the comments seem interesting, my own very simple one was a couple of handfulls of cherry tomatoes. Thanks so much for this recipe.

    Reply

    • Natasha says

      I am so glad you liked it, Doug!! I was definitely quite surprised how popular this recipe has become, but obviously I am happy about it haha.

      Reply

  50. Abigail Ortez says

    This was super easy to make and really fast too! Im pregnant and have been craving tuna and this was amazing. I did add condensed tomato sauce with the tuna and loved it like that as well. Thank you so much for posting this.

    Reply

  51. Rhiannon says

    Added a bit of tarragon, and used capers instead of salt. Also added red bell pepper and sugar snap peas to level up the veggies and color. Will make again. Thanks for the inspiration!

    Reply

  52. Amy Salzl says

    Sounds yummy! Have you ever tried it with zucchini noodles instead of pasta?? I am doing the whole low carb thang 😉

    Reply

    • Natasha says

      Hi! I haven’t tried this particular recipe with zoodles, but I think it would definitely taste delicious!! Just toss them with the sauce for a few minutes and that should soften them up a bit. 🙂

      Reply

  53. Kirstine says

    Hello! This was a very quick, easy and delicious recipe that I made for lunch today. I found it through Pinterest. Thanks a lot 🙂

    Reply

    • Natasha says

      Thanks! I do not. I am not a trained nutritionist, and I don’t really trust the online nutrition calculators out there. If you want to know calorie info, I suggest plugging the exact ingredients you’ve used into one of the free calorie calculators out there. Calories in this recipe can vary a lot… depending on the size of the can of tuna you use, whether the tuna is packed in oil or water or not, what type of pasta you use, etc.

      Reply

  55. Heather says

    5 stars
    The baby napped through my only chance to go grocery shopping today, so tried to find a recipe for what I had in the house. This was easy, tasty, and (most important of all) picky toddler approved! I made it with pastina instead of spaghetti. Thanks!!

    Reply

  56. Anette says

    Delicious! I added shallots, mayonnaise (non-sweetened; a table spoon), grated parmigiano and capers and I used freshly chopped celery leaves from my garden. A hit with my family and will definitely make this again.

    Reply

  57. Sonya says

    5 stars
    What a great recipe! It’s simple, fast, very economical and delicious! Even two of my pickiest eaters ate some and said they liked it. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

  58. Samia says

    Wow this recipe was amazing, I was hungry and I was thinking of making some soup and then I came across this and it was very simple and easy to make. I thought my siblings wouldn’t like this and I put to much spaghetti in but my siblings ended up trying and loving it, I’m 14 by the way I’m gonna make more for sure.

    Reply

  59. Becs says

    5 stars
    THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS RECIPE! It saved me from an argument and a last minute shopping trip! I was able to use things I already had and it was delicious! I added mushrooms and onions to mine, and used spinach zucchini pasta.

    Reply

  60. Fotini DRES says

    This was great. So quick and easy and so satisfying. Being Greek means of course lemon, olive oil and garlic are some of my fav ingredients. Next time I’d like to try adding capers or kalamata olives. I had some leftover xorta (dandelion leaves) that I chopped up and added also. YUM!

    Reply

  61. Alice says

    5 stars
    This was straight up the easiest and weirdest recipe I have ever made for dinner. Amazingly, all 3 of my kids lived this! One of my kids said if he could only eat one thing for the rest of his life, this would be it! I was straight up shocked that they would even try this it looked so weird. I added half a can of corn and celery leaves and stalk. Topped with some parmesan cheese and salt and pepper. The only reason I made this was because my husband was out of town (he would never est this), and I had to make something quick for my kids after school and before hockey.

    Reply

  62. Cynthia says

    I love tuna but eating it like this has made me love it even more. Thank you for this quick meal fix recipe. I tried it two ways, the first time sprinkled some Parmesan after serving and second time I added some cayenne pepper (because I love a hot kick in my meals) when mixing ingredients and both were yummy.

    Reply

  63. Geoff Kirby says

    “add the garlic and cook it” What, 2 whole cloves? Or do I slice it? Or chop it? Or put it through garlic press? Sorry, but I need more instructions… and could I add turmeric & tomato sauce to it? I’m hopeless without help in a kitchen.

    Reply

    • Natasha says

      Hi Geoff! In the ingredients list it is supposed to show the garlic as “minced” – my bad that I didn’t specify! I will fix that pronto. I usually put it thru the garlic press, but you could also chop it very finely. Sure, you could add some turmeric and tomato sauce too. I’ve never tried that combo personally, but I think it could be very tasty. Let me know how it goes! If you’re worried, just make the recipe as written first and then try the tomatoes. 😊

      Reply

      • Geoff Kirby says

        5 stars
        I sprinkled a teaspoon of turmeric powder over the chopped garlic while it was frying. Also added a half-cup of sauce made from 100% tomato puree and hot water. It was not only delicious but surprisingly filling (I used wholemeal spaghetti). Excellent – very satisfying. I might “zing it up” next time with a sprinkling of hot curry powder in the early stages…

        Reply

  64. dj says

    5 stars
    Just home from travelling and had little in the kitchen. I fixed this for lunch today and it was a quick and easy meal. I think I would follow your suggestion and add some pepper flakes next time.

    Reply

  65. Paris Mendoza says

    5 stars
    I’m a college student renting a small apartment and having an almost empty kitchen. This recipe is perfect!

    I’m trying it as I write and damn, it’s really easy and delicious! I made it with macaroni though, since that’s the only one I have. I also added fresh pineapples to give it a sweet touch. Topped with cheese, it’s really yummy.

    Thank you so much for the idea! 💕

    Reply

  66. Jenny A says

    5 stars
    I’ve been enjoying a similar recipe for years. You can also add red pepper seed to the hot oil. Or top it off with artichoke pesto. Yum! Eating it right now.

    Reply

    • Natasha says

      Yes, it’s meant to be a super simple recipe… a “clean out the pantry” or a “I don’t feel like putting much effort in because it’s been a long day” type thing. Did you salt it properly? Add some red pepper flakes if you want it spicy. Not exactly sure what you were hoping for. Similar recipes are quite popular in Europe. Oh well – guess I can’t please everyone. 🙂

      Reply

  69. Margaret Mazzaferro says

    5 stars
    I like this dish and make it occasionally. I usually add tablespoon of chopped capers. This dish is also a favorite in spring, using new baby potatoes instead of pasta. Delish.

    Reply

  70. Myles Frosst says

    5 stars
    I have to thank you for this recipe and for others on this site. I am a recently divorced man after 38 years of living with a wonderful chef and thus have lost some of my culinary skills over time. Your recipes are easy to follow, the results deliciously yummy, and thus a godsend. Bravo!

    Reply

    • Natasha says

      I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe and others, Myles. Your sweet comment means a lot. It makes doing this all worthwhile. 😊

      Reply

  71. Kaitlyn says

    5 stars
    So easy and delicious! This will become a weeknight staple for me since I always have these ingredients on hand. The only substation I made was using parsley flakes instead of fresh parsley and it was delicious. Thank you!

    Reply

  72. SHA-booty-Quay Jones says

    5 stars
    WILL YOU JUST LOOK AT THIS.
    Look at it!! OHHHH MER GERD THIS
    IS SOME GERD PASTA.
    I just love TUNA FISH. And pasta.
    AND GERLIC – and MER GERLIC.
    This. Is. New. Level.
    LOOK AT IT GURRLS. LOOK AT IT.
    can you also use canned sardines?
    or canned mackerel? Or canned SALMON?
    OR CANNED HAPPINESS AND A WHOLE LOTTA WOOT WOOT – CAUSE THIS IS GOOD. CAN ME UP SOME OF THAT
    GOOD FISH.

    Reply

  73. Faye says

    5 stars
    This was delicious. I tweaked it a little because I didn’t have actual garlic or parsley, but I used garlic powder and just didn’t use any parsley and it turned out great! Will definitely make it again.

    Reply

    • Shirley Kelsch says

      5 stars
      Omg I never would have thought to do this! Sooo good. Made a few changes based on what I had but used exact recipe as base and added extra lemon juice since I had juiced a lemon, little fresh parmesan at the end, fresh spinach, yellow curry, and some white pepper with rigatoni pasta. Awesome! Keeper for sure! I had nothing else to cook with and you saved dinner!

      Reply

  74. Kerri Lynn says

    5 stars
    I didn’t have parsley or celery leaves so I chopped spinach up. I did add parsley flakes and celery salt. It was really tasty! I topped it with breadcrumbs and parmesan for a little crunch.

    Reply

  75. Shannon Mannikka says

    5 stars
    Thank you so much for posting this recipe! So good and so easy! And I love the idea of replacing parsley with celery leaves!

    Reply

  76. K. Fitz says

    5 stars
    I made this around a month ago and since then have made it 4 other times. It is so delicious and a great way to use tuna other than a melt. My husband hates tuna and only eats it when I make this!

    Reply

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