This canned tuna pasta recipe is quick, healthy, and comforting. The perfect recipe when you don’t have a lot in your pantry!
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 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).
Will you give this easy canned tuna pasta a go? What’s your favorite clean-out-the-pantry recipe?
Talk to me in the comments below!
Easy Canned Tuna Pasta
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
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.
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.
Stir in the tuna, lemon juice, and parsley. Let it heat through.
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.
Charlotte says
September 4, 2018 at 3:14 AMSimple and delicious pasta recipe. Will definitely give it a go especially when I have those busy days!
K. Fitz says
October 13, 2018 at 1:53 PMI 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!
Natasha says
October 14, 2018 at 5:51 PMI am so happy to hear that! π
Susan says
April 18, 2019 at 4:09 AMI just boil the pasta shells, open can tuna. Tip the pasta into bowel had tuna mix together and eat yummy
Shannon Mannikka says
November 6, 2018 at 8:07 PMThank you so much for posting this recipe! So good and so easy! And I love the idea of replacing parsley with celery leaves!
Natasha says
November 6, 2018 at 9:50 PMSo happy you liked it, Shannon!! π
Kerri Lynn says
November 20, 2018 at 3:21 PMI 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.
Natasha says
November 20, 2018 at 6:45 PMYour tweaks sound fantastic… love the breadcrumbs and parm idea!
Faye says
November 26, 2018 at 7:28 PMThis 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.
Natasha says
November 26, 2018 at 7:31 PMI’m so glad you liked it, Faye!!
SHA-booty-Quay Jones says
November 27, 2018 at 2:25 PMWILL 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.
Natasha says
November 27, 2018 at 2:28 PMSure, you can definitely try with other canned fish. Glad you liked it! π
Kaitlyn says
December 1, 2018 at 5:20 PMSo 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!
Natasha says
December 1, 2018 at 10:20 PMI’m so happy you liked it, Kaitlyn! π
Myles Frosst says
December 4, 2018 at 4:07 PMI 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!
Natasha says
December 4, 2018 at 5:35 PMIβm so glad you enjoyed this recipe and others, Myles. Your sweet comment means a lot. It makes doing this all worthwhile. π
Margaret Mazzaferro says
December 5, 2018 at 10:30 PMI 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.
Natasha says
December 6, 2018 at 8:06 AMOoh capers sound like a great addition… and the baby potatoes! I’ll have to try that.
MaxJFord says
January 6, 2019 at 1:11 AMOMG that is very tasty i love it thank u man
Kay says
January 6, 2019 at 3:40 PMIt was too simple. And didn’t have a ton of flavor.
Natasha says
January 6, 2019 at 3:51 PMYes, 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. π
Jenny A says
January 7, 2019 at 7:47 PMI’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.
Natasha says
January 7, 2019 at 7:57 PMI love those ideas! So glad you like the recipe, Jenny!
Paris Mendoza says
January 31, 2019 at 1:05 AMI’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! π
Natasha says
January 31, 2019 at 8:51 AMI am so glad it worked out, Paris! Love your additions. π
dj says
February 1, 2019 at 1:39 PMJust 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.
Natasha says
February 1, 2019 at 1:41 PMWelcome home! I’m glad you liked it! π
Geoff Kirby says
February 3, 2019 at 3:28 AM“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.
Natasha says
February 3, 2019 at 10:09 AMHi Geoff! In the ingredients list it is supposed to show the garlic as βmincedβ – my bad that I didnβt 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. Iβve never tried that combo personally, but I think it could be very tasty. Let me know how it goes! If youβre worried, just make the recipe as written first and then try the tomatoes. π
Geoff Kirby says
February 4, 2019 at 8:38 AMI 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…
Natasha says
February 4, 2019 at 7:01 PMSo happy you liked it, Geoff! Your additions sound really yummy. π
Cynthia says
February 6, 2019 at 10:44 AMI 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.
Natasha says
February 6, 2019 at 11:32 AMI’m so happy to hear this!!
Alice says
February 11, 2019 at 6:16 PMThis 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.
Natasha says
February 11, 2019 at 7:23 PMHahaha I love this!!
Fotini DRES says
February 14, 2019 at 3:36 PMThis 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!
Natasha says
February 14, 2019 at 3:49 PMSo glad you liked it! Kalamata olives are the best.
Becs says
February 17, 2019 at 3:55 PMTHANK 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.
Natasha says
February 17, 2019 at 4:02 PMHaha that’s awesome! So happy it worked out.
Samia says
February 18, 2019 at 3:48 PMWow 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 wouldnβt like this and I put to much spaghetti in but my siblings ended up trying and loving it, Iβm 14 by the way Iβm gonna make more for sure.
Natasha says
February 19, 2019 at 10:35 AMYay! I am so happy to hear that!! That’s so cool that you’re cooking at 14 already. π
Sonya says
February 18, 2019 at 6:15 PMWhat 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!
Natasha says
February 19, 2019 at 10:34 AMThat’s awesome!! So happy it worked out.
Anette says
February 19, 2019 at 11:01 PMDelicious! 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.
Natasha says
February 20, 2019 at 8:15 AMI’m so glad you liked it! Your additions sound delicious!
Heather says
March 2, 2019 at 4:42 PMThe 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!!
Natasha says
March 2, 2019 at 7:12 PMYou’re very welcome!! So glad it worked out. π
Reb says
March 4, 2019 at 12:58 AMDelcious! Would you happen to know the nutritional facts? Thanks
Natasha says
March 4, 2019 at 8:07 AMThanks! 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.
Kirstine says
March 9, 2019 at 5:52 AMHello! This was a very quick, easy and delicious recipe that I made for lunch today. I found it through Pinterest. Thanks a lot π
Natasha says
March 9, 2019 at 1:30 PMSo happy you liked it, Kirstine! Thanks for leaving a sweet comment. π
Amy Salzl says
March 10, 2019 at 10:24 AMSounds yummy! Have you ever tried it with zucchini noodles instead of pasta?? I am doing the whole low carb thang π
Natasha says
March 10, 2019 at 10:32 AMHi! 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. π
Rhiannon says
March 11, 2019 at 8:12 PMAdded 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!
Natasha says
March 11, 2019 at 9:16 PMYou are very welcome!
Abigail Ortez says
March 17, 2019 at 8:28 PMThis 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.
Natasha says
March 18, 2019 at 5:55 PMGreat! I am so happy it was a hit. π
Jon says
March 20, 2019 at 2:28 PMI am planning on making this tonight and am unsure about wether or not to drain the tuna.
Jon says
March 20, 2019 at 2:30 PMSorry, I misread.
Natasha says
March 20, 2019 at 2:53 PMNo worries! Hope you like it! π
Doug says
March 23, 2019 at 1:23 AMThis 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.
Natasha says
March 23, 2019 at 12:35 PMI 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.
Chloe says
March 24, 2019 at 12:56 AMI was so anxious from work relqted stress. So, I tried this recipe and it made me so happy and relieved. Thanks for sharing!
Natasha says
March 24, 2019 at 12:21 PMI am so happy to hear that, Chloe! π <3
Claire says
April 3, 2019 at 8:08 AMThank you for a fast & simple recipe that was a hit with all my family. Will definitely be making this again
Natasha says
April 4, 2019 at 8:12 AMYou are very welcome, Claire! So happy it went over well. π
Monica Holmes says
April 3, 2019 at 6:49 PMThis was so delicious! This will definitely be a new go to for a simple but tasty dinner!
Natasha says
April 4, 2019 at 8:10 AMSo pleased you liked it, Monica! thanks for letting me know π
Lynn Crawford says
April 7, 2019 at 8:34 PMI donβt know where I got this, but Iβve 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.
Natasha says
April 9, 2019 at 8:34 AMIsn’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!
Mirna says
April 10, 2019 at 11:02 AMHello ! Do you eat the pasta cold or hot ?
Natasha says
April 10, 2019 at 11:37 AMI eat it hot βΊοΈ
Dumpling12 says
April 26, 2019 at 6:19 PMI 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. π will make it again for sure. π
Natasha says
April 26, 2019 at 6:51 PMHaha yay!! I am so happy it worked out. π Thanks for letting me know!!
Anne says
April 28, 2019 at 9:44 AMI never leave comments on recipes, but I just had to say that Iβve made this half a dozen times since I saw it a few weeks ago. So so good. Thank you !!
Natasha says
April 28, 2019 at 11:42 AMAhhh thank you so much, Anne!! π
Omri Algazi says
May 1, 2019 at 11:54 AMwhere was this recipe my entire life?
Natasha says
May 1, 2019 at 12:26 PMHahaha so pleased you like it! π
Samantha says
May 6, 2019 at 5:12 PMI 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 doesnβt like tuna but keeps buying it for myself. So tonight Iβve made this .. and he ate half the pot! Definitely worth ten πβ€οΈπ―
I took pictures lol do t see how to add them π makes a pretty presentation. A definite keeper and would serve this as a dinner party main dish easily ππ₯°
Natasha says
May 7, 2019 at 3:36 PMYay! 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. π