Description
A vibrant and flavorful Tuna Puttanesca pasta recipe combining rich tomatoes, briny olives, capers, and tender tuna chunks in a garlic and anchovy infused olive oil sauce. Perfect for a quick and satisfying Italian-inspired meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 14oz / 400g Spaghetti or other long-cut pasta
Sauce
- 2x 14oz / 400g cans of Chopped Tomatoes
- 2x 5oz / 145g cans of Tuna Chunks, drained
- 1/4 cup / 60ml Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 4oz / 120g Kalamata Olives, halved
- 1 small bunch of Parsley (about 1oz / 30g), stalks and leaves finely diced separately
- 4 cloves of Garlic, very thinly sliced
- 4 Anchovy Fillets, finely diced
- 3 tbsp Capers
- 1/2 tsp Chilli Flakes, or to taste
- Salt & Black Pepper, as needed
Instructions
- Prepare the base: Add the extra virgin olive oil to a large deep pan with the heat off. Add the garlic, capers, anchovies, parsley stalks, and chilli flakes. Turn the heat to low-medium and gently sizzle for a couple of minutes, stirring frequently until the garlic softens and begins to color slightly and the anchovies melt into the oil.
- Add tomatoes and olives: Pour in the chopped tomatoes and swill each can with 1/4 cup of water, adding this liquid to the pan as well. Stir in the halved Kalamata olives and allow the sauce to simmer gently for 15-20 minutes until it thickens.
- Cook the pasta: After about 5 minutes of simmering, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, following package instructions. Do not drain the pasta yet.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Once the sauce has thickened, season with salt and black pepper to taste, remembering that capers and anchovies contribute saltiness. Use tongs to transfer the pasta directly from the boiling water to the sauce pan, including some pasta water to adjust the consistency if needed. Toss well with the parsley leaves.
- Add tuna and finish: Gently fold in the drained tuna chunks, taking care not to over-stir to avoid breaking up the tuna too much. Serve immediately and enjoy your flavorful Tuna Puttanesca.
Notes
- Anchovies: Essential for authentic flavor; they melt into the sauce and add a salty richness without a fishy taste.
- Sauce Consistency: The sauce should be thick enough to coat the pasta lightly. Use pasta water sparingly to adjust thickness, simmer further if the sauce becomes too thin.
- Quality Ingredients: Use high-quality chopped tomatoes, olive oil, and olives for the best flavor. Fresh parsley is recommended over dried for freshness.
- Calories: Nutritional info provided is per serving based on dividing the total recipe into 4 portions.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 250g)
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 54g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
