This canned tuna pasta recipe is easy, nutritious, and satisfying. It's ideal for when you don't have many ingredients on hand!
You might enjoy my Easy 20 Minute Canned Tuna Pasta or my Ranch Pasta Salad.

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Why you’ll love it
This dish for tuna garlic pasta transports me back to my early years. When I was little, my mom used to make something similar, and I just adored it. When I'm pressed for time and pretty much have nothing in the fridge, I've even prepared this with just tuna, garlic, and olive oil.
Even though I know this recipe tastes fantastic, I never posted it to the blog since I wasn't sure if people would enjoy it. After doing some research, I decided to make canned tuna pasta as there is undoubtedly a market for it. This tuna spaghetti recipe is a great way to save time and maintain your sanity if you're occupied with after-school activities.
What you’ll need
This basic dish calls for only a few ingredients. Here are the major items you'll need:
- Pasta—I use spaghetti.
- For the sauce's basis, use olive oil.
- If you love garlic, use more than the recommended amount. I enjoy using a garlic press to easily mince the cloves.
- Tuna is the centerpiece of this economical pasta recipe! For the best flavor, I recommend using an oil-packed can of tuna.
- Lemon juice—for a pop of acidity and brightness.
- Parsley - adds freshness and herb flavor.
How to make tuna pasta
This is a summary with detailed pictures. The recipe card below contains all of the ingredients and instructions.
- Pasta should be cooked until al dente. Prepare the remaining ingredients in the interim. Heat the oil in a pot when the pasta is nearly done. Add the garlic and simmer until aromatic after it's hot. Add the chopped parsley, lemon juice, and tuna and stir.
- Allow it to warm up. Drain the pasta after it's finished, saving some of the water. To the sauce, add a few tablespoons of it. Add salt and pepper to taste and toss the spaghetti with the sauce.
Substitutions and variations
- You may add some flair to this nutritious tuna pasta recipe or even make it easier. I added some grated parmesan cheese and a little lemon zest for the pictures (it took me about 30 seconds because I used the same helpful equipment for both), but I generally don't bother in real life.
- At the very end, I like to add a handful of fresh spinach and let it wilt. I occasionally cut a few small tomatoes (cherry, grape, etc.) in half, add them, and cook until they are tender.
- In place of parsley, my mom would occasionally slice up celery leaves, but I never had those on hand, so parsley it is!
What to serve with tuna pasta
To finish it off, try a large slice of fresh crusty bread or my Outback Steakhouse Bread.
This pasta is best served with a salad. It takes very little time to prepare my Italian Grinder Salad (Chopped Sub Salad).
Leftovers and storage
- Although this tuna pasta is best consumed fresh, it may be stored in the refrigerator in a closed container for a few days.
- In a saucepan, reheat leftovers over low heat until well heated.
- The sauce shouldn't be frozen, in my opinion. It's worth making fresh every time because it's so easy and comes in a modest quantity.
Recipe FAQs
Store tuna pasta in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days. Warm up again on the burner or in the microwave. To thin the sauce, you might need to add a little water.
There are countless options! For a tasty tuna pasta, I like to combine my canned tuna fish with spaghetti, tomatoes, olives, and a few other flavors. To add a little protein to a creamy pesto pasta dish, you could also add some tuna. I also have a tasty vegan chickpea "tuna" salad dish!
Tuna in a can is actually quite healthy! With the added advantage of being able to store it in your pantry, it offers many of the same nutritional benefits as fresh tuna! Tuna canned in water is the healthiest type. It still has a lot of vitamins and minerals, but it has more sodium than fresh tuna.
Green salads go well with tuna spaghetti. It tastes well with garlic bread as well. It could be served with roasted or fresh vegetables, such as tomatoes or broccoli.
If you tried this Easy Canned Tuna Pasta (Ready in 15 Minutes!) or any other recipe on my website, please feel free to leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below. And remember to tag me on Instagram!
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Recipe
Easy Canned Tuna Pasta
INGREDIENTS
- 5 ounces uncooked pasta
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 large cloves garlic minced
- 1 5 ounce can tuna, drained I prefer tuna packed in oil
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped
- Salt & pepper to taste
INSTRUCTIONS
- As directed on the package, boil a pot of salted water for the pasta and cook it until al dente. While it cooks, prepare your other ingredients.
- Add the oil to a small pan over medium heat when the pasta is almost cooked. Add the garlic and sauté for 30 seconds when the oil is heated.
- Add the parsley, lemon juice, and tuna and stir. Allow it to warm up.
- After pasta is cooked, rinse the pasta and toss it with the sauce after adding a few tablespoons of pasta water. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve spaghetti with lemon zest and freshly grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.
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