Description
This tuna pasta recipe with roasted red pepper ribbons offers a hearty, wholesome, and family-friendly weeknight dinner. It combines sweet roasted red peppers with a creamy sauce, ready in under thirty minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz pasta (penne, rotini, or fettuccine)
- 10 oz canned tuna, drained (in oil or water)
- 6.5 oz jarred roasted red peppers, drained and sliced
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 14.5 oz canned crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce
- 0.5 cup chicken or vegetable broth
- 0.5 tsp dried oregano
- 0.5 tsp dried basil
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 0.5 cup heavy cream or half-and-half (optional)
- 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prep Pasta: Cook 12 oz pasta according to package directions until al dente (about 8-10 minutes). Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Saute Aromatics: In a large skillet, heat 1 Tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant and lightly golden.
- Build Sauce Base: Stir in 14.5 oz crushed tomatoes, 0.5 cup broth, 0.5 tsp dried oregano, and 0.5 tsp dried basil. Simmer gently for 3-4 minutes until bubbly.
- Add Main Flavors: Fold in 10 oz drained tuna and 6.5 oz roasted red pepper ribbons. Simmer for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, allowing flavors to meld.
- Make it Creamy: If using, stir in 0.5 cup heavy cream or half-and-half. Simmer gently for 2-3 minutes until velvety and slightly thickened.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss well to coat. Add reserved pasta water (1-2 Tbsp at a time) if needed for desired consistency.
- Garnish and Serve: Serve hot, garnished generously with 2 Tbsp fresh chopped parsley and 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese.
Notes
Choose sustainable tuna if possible. Jarred roasted red peppers are a great time-saver. Taste before adding extra salt, as canned tuna and Parmesan are salty. A garlic press can speed up prep.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups (350 g)
- Calories: 520 calories
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 65 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Keywords: weeknight dinner, tuna pasta, roasted red pepper, easy, creamy, family-friendly, quick meal, comfort food
