20-Minute Tuna Pesto Pasta (w/ Canned Tuna)
Yes, tuna and pesto do go together and make a lovely combination in this tuna pesto pasta! A satisfying and wholesome meal that comes together easily in just 20-minutes using canned tuna and bail pesto.
5 star review
“Robyn is on to something – tuna and pesto are a great flavor combo! I would not have tried this if I didn’t see the recipe. Delicious! Definitely a pantry staple recipe.”
– Jill K
3-Ingredients Never Tasted Better in this Pasta Pesto with Tuna
If you’re looking for a quick and easy last-minute meal that’s both delicious and versatile, look no further than this tuna pesto pasta recipe. This quick recipe is one of my favorites for busy weeknights when I’m low on groceries, but still want a wholesome meal that the whole family will enjoy.
If I have it on hand, I use my pesto without pine nuts, for this recipe, which is an easy pesto recipe that’s more affordable than traditional pesto (my dairy free nut free pesto is also a great option!) — but of course store bought is a great option as well.
This simple pesto tuna pasta is then taken to the next level with canned tuna, a no-cook protein that adds tons of flavor and is an affordable way to add fish into your diet. Trust me, fish and pesto go really well together! For another quick and easy meal that features this iconic combination try my 2-ingredient pesto salmon.
Plus, this recipe is easy to customize since you serve the pesto tuna on top of the pesto pasta, so it’s easy to leave off if someone doesn’t want tuna. P.S. If you love pesto, like me, and want some variety, check out my easy homemade red pesto to use in this recipe!
Welcome to My Kitchen! Let’s Make Make Tuna Pasta Pesto
Timesaving Tips & Tricks
Saving time in the kitchen is my jam, which is why I’m a big fan of multitasking with meals. You make the pesto while the pasta is cooking which saves tons of time, but if you want to make this recipe even easier, you can use store-bought pesto.
Make It Gluten Free + Dairy Free
To make this dish gluten free, replace the pasta with your favorite gluten free pasta. For a dairy-free version, replace the parmesan cheese with dairy free parmesan cheese or use my dairy free nut free pesto.
Key Ingredients, Substitutions & Notes
- Pesto: Store bought or make your own!
- Pasta: Any pasta will work for this recipe. For a gluten free version, use gluten free pasta.
- Tuna: I use canned tuna packed in oil (drained) since it has a bit more flavor, but you can use tuna packed in water (drained).
- Tuna pesto pasta is a delicious and complete meal on its own with lots of protein from the tuna and vegetables from the basil. However, if you want to bulk up veggies, you can toss the pasta with 1-2 cups of spinach or arugula, diced cherry tomatoes, diced and drained artichoke hearts.
- I also love to serve the dish with a refreshing salad of greens, tomato, cucumber, and my creamy balsamic dressing or 5-minute apple cider vinaigrette.
- Don’t love tuna? Top the pasta with pesto chicken instead!
This Recipe is…
Follow my step-by-step video:
20-Minute Tuna Pesto Pasta (w/ Canned Tuna)
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup basil pesto, plus 2 tablespoons
For the Tuna Pesto Pasta
- 12 ounces pasta, any shape
- 2 cans oil packed tuna
Optional Serving Suggestions
- Red pepper flakes
Equipment
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a strong boil. And the pasta and stir to avoid sticking.
- When the pasta is just cooked though and slightly short of al dente, carefully remove 1 cup of cooking water and set aside. Drain the pasta. Do not rinse.
- Add the pasta back to the pan. Pour over 1/2 cup pesto, and 1/4 cup pasta water, tossing to combine. Add additional pesto if a stronger flavor is desired, or additional pasta water to thin the pesto and coat the pasta. Allow to sit for 3-4 minutes for the pasta to absorb the pesto, stirring occasionally.
- Meanwhile lightly drain the tuna and add to a medium bowl along with2 tablespoons pesto, tossing lightly with a fork to break up the tuna and combine it with the pesto.
- Serve the pasta with the pesto tuna on top, or stirred directly into the pasta. Top with red pepper flakes if desired
Notes
- See blog post for ingredient substitutions, serving suggestions, storage, and more.
- Store-bought basil pesto makes this recipe super easy and fast, or make your own with my homemade pesto.
- For gluten-free, use gf pasta.
Robyn is on to something – tuna and pesto are a great flavor combo! I would not have tried this if I didn’t see the recipe. I made a few additions to use up some open ingredients in my fridge. I added a small amount of plain goat cheese into the hot pasta before adding the pesto. Tossed in some spinach and arugula in the hot pasta, too. I also split the hot pasta between two bowls and flavored half with basil pesto and half with pesto rossa (sundried tomato and cashew pesto). I also used the red pesto in the tuna. Delicious! Definitely a pantry staple recipe.
Yay, Jill, so happy you enjoyed this one and that you made it work with what you had on hand — love the idea of bumping up the veggies with spinach and arugula. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts and your review!