Recipe: Tuna Tomato Pasta - A Quick & Easy Weeknight Meal
This delicious tuna tomato pasta recipe is perfect for a quick and easy weeknight dinner. It's budget-friendly, packed with flavor, and requires minimal cleanup – a win-win for busy weeknights! This recipe is optimized for search engines, focusing on relevant keywords and a user-friendly structure.
Ingredients You'll Need:
This recipe serves 2-3 people. Feel free to adjust the quantities based on your needs.
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can tuna in water or oil, drained – Choose your preferred tuna, but draining it is crucial to avoid an overly oily pasta.
- 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes – San Marzano tomatoes are ideal for their rich flavor, but any crushed tomato will work.
- 1/2 cup pasta water – Reserving pasta water adds richness and creaminess to the sauce.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil – Use extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor.
- 2 cloves garlic, minced – Fresh garlic adds a pungent, savory flavor.
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes – Optional, for a touch of heat.
- Salt and black pepper to taste – Seasoning is crucial for bringing out the flavors.
- 8 ounces pasta – Any short pasta like penne, rigatoni, or rotini works well.
Instructions: A Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these simple steps to create a flavorful and satisfying tuna tomato pasta dish.
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Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions, until al dente. Important: Reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining.
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Sauté the Garlic: While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using) and sauté for about 1 minute, or until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
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Simmer the Sauce: Add the crushed tomatoes to the skillet and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low, and let the sauce simmer for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. This allows the flavors to meld together.
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Combine Tuna and Pasta Water: Stir in the drained tuna and reserved pasta water. The pasta water will help create a creamier sauce. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
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Toss and Serve: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat evenly with the sauce. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley or basil (optional).
Tips & Variations for Your Tuna Tomato Pasta:
- Add Vegetables: Boost the nutritional value and flavor by adding vegetables like spinach, zucchini, or bell peppers during the last few minutes of cooking.
- Creamy Tuna Pasta: Stir in a splash of heavy cream or crème fraîche for a richer, creamier sauce.
- Spice it Up: Add a pinch of oregano, basil, or other Italian herbs for extra flavor.
- Lemon Zest: A little lemon zest brightens up the sauce beautifully.
- Cheese Please: Sprinkle some grated Parmesan cheese on top before serving.
SEO Optimization Considerations:
This blog post is optimized for search engines by:
- Using relevant keywords: "Tuna tomato pasta," "easy tuna pasta recipe," "quick weeknight dinner," etc., are naturally incorporated throughout the text.
- Structuring the content with headings (H2, H3): This improves readability and helps search engines understand the content's organization.
- Creating a comprehensive and informative post: The detailed instructions and tips make it a valuable resource for users.
- Optimizing for readability: Short paragraphs, bullet points, and clear language enhance user experience.
This recipe is sure to become a family favorite! Enjoy!
