This recipe for canned tuna pesto pasta is incredibly simple and can be prepared in only 15 minutes. The dish is made using either store-bought or homemade basil pesto, and it’s both healthy and gluten-free. Furthermore, it contains plenty of fresh cherry tomatoes and feta cheese for added flavor. You can enjoy it warm or cold, as a pasta salad!
Ingredients for Tuna Pesto Pasta
| Ingredients | Quantity |
| 8 ounces pasta | 8 ounces |
| pesto | ¾ cup |
| leftover pasta water | ¼ cup |
| tuna stored water | 2 cans |
| sweet cherry tomatoes, halved | 2 cups |
| crumbled feta | ⅓ cup |
| black pepper | ½ tsp |
| Salt to taste | |
| lemon for serving | 1 |
Preparation for Tuna Pesto Pasta
- If you plan on making your own pesto, you can refer to the instructions provided here. Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil and adding the pasta, cooking it until it is al dente according to the package instructions.
- Once it’s done, strain the pasta, being sure to reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta water.
- In a separate bowl, drain the tuna and use a fork to break it up into small pieces, then set it aside.
- Return the pot with the cooked pasta to the stove and reduce the heat to medium-low. Add in the pesto and reserved pasta water, stirring until well combined.
- Gently stir in the tuna, cherry tomatoes, feta cheese, and black pepper, tasting the mixture and adjusting any seasoning as desired. If needed, add salt and pepper, keeping in mind that the tuna and feta are already salty.
- This pasta dish can be served either warm or cold, depending on your preference. If serving it warm, make sure to heat the pasta thoroughly and serve it immediately, squeezing fresh lemon juice on top.
- If serving it cold, refrigerate the pasta for at least one hour before tossing it with arugula or baby spinach to create a “salad.”
- Squeeze half a lemon on top of the salad just before serving, and enjoy!
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Nutritional Facts
This recipe yields 4 servings.
| Net carbs | 48g |
| Fat | 13g |
| Protein | 26g |
| Calories | 412kcal |
Review
This dish of tuna pesto pasta is an ideal choice for a 15-minute dinner, a quick meal prep lunch, or even as a side dish. It is uncomplicated to prepare yet packed with delicious flavor.
I will never suggest a dish unless I really like it. You might also love to try making this dish at home. I would rate it 4 out of 5. If you use this recipe, please leave a remark and rate it at the bottom of this page. Definitely a must try dish.