Vibrant Mediterranean Tuna Pasta Delight

Ingredients

- 12 ounces dried paccheri or fusilli
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 4 anchovy fillets
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, drained
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/2 cup pitted black olives, sliced
- 2 teaspoons lemon zest
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons capers, rinsed
- 2 cans (5 ounces each) tuna, drained and flaked
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Cook the Pasta:
- In a large pot, bring water to a rolling boil. Add a pinch of salt and the dried paccheri or fusilli. Cook according to package instructions until al dente.
- Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.

2. Prepare the Sauce:
- In a large skillet over medium heat, warm the olive oil.
- Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes, sautéing for about 1 minute until the garlic is fragrant.
- Add the anchovy fillets, stirring until they dissolve in the oil — approximately 2 minutes.

3. Combine Sauce Ingredients:
- Stir in the drained diced tomatoes, mixing well.
- Add the sliced olives, capers, and lemon zest. Continue to cook for 3-4 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.

4. Integrate Tuna and Herbs:
- Gently fold in the flaked tuna, lemon juice, and chopped parsley.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.

5. Finish the Dish:
- Add the cooked pasta to the sauce in the skillet.
- Toss everything together, incorporating some reserved pasta water as needed to reach a creamy consistency.
- Cook for another 2-3 minutes to ensure the pasta is heated through.

6. Serve:
- Transfer to serving plates, garnishing with additional parsley if desired. Serve immediately for best flavor.

Preparation & Cooking Times

- Preparation Time: PT10M
10 minutes
- Cooking Time: PT20M
20 minutes

Total Time

- PT30M
30 minutes

Type of Dish

- Dinner

Keywords

- Mediterranean pasta
- Tuna pasta
- Easy dinner recipe
- Quick pasta dish
- Lemon pasta
- Anchovies
- Capers recipe
- Olive oil pasta
- Garlic pasta
- Italian dinner

Recipe Yield

- Feeds 4 adults

Calories

- Total: 1,600 calories

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