A fast, pantry-friendly weeknight pasta: canned tuna and tomatoes tossed with quick-cook veggies. Simple, satisfying, and budget-friendly.
Time: ~10 minutes • Serves: 3–4
Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta (spaghetti, penne, or shells; use GF pasta if needed)
- 2 tbsp oil (olive or canola)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced or 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning or 1/2 tsp each dried basil & oregano
- 1 can (14–15 oz) diced or crushed tomatoes
- 1 can (5 oz) tuna, drained
- 1–2 cups quick veggies: fresh spinach, frozen peas/mixed veg, or diced bell pepper
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
- Optional finishers: pinch red pepper flakes, lemon juice/zest, chopped parsley, grated Parmesan
Instructions
- Boil pasta: Cook in well-salted water until just tender. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water; drain.
- Start sauce: While pasta cooks, heat oil in a skillet over medium. Add garlic (or stir in garlic powder with the herbs), then Italian seasoning; cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Tomatoes + tuna: Add tomatoes, a pinch of salt/pepper; simmer 2–3 minutes. Flake in tuna.
- Add veggies: Stir in spinach/peas/mixed veg and cook 1–2 minutes (until warmed and spinach wilts).
- Toss: Add drained pasta to the skillet with a splash of reserved pasta water; toss until glossy.
- Finish: Adjust salt/pepper. Add red pepper flakes, lemon, parsley, and/or Parmesan if you like. Serve hot.
Microwave-Only Option
- Cook pasta: In a large microwave-safe bowl, cover pasta with plenty of water and salt; microwave 8–12 minutes, stirring halfway. Drain.
- Make sauce: In the same bowl, mix tomatoes, tuna, garlic powder, herbs, salt/pepper, and frozen veggies. Cover loosely; microwave 2–3 minutes until hot.
- Combine: Stir in pasta; add a little water or oil to loosen. Finish with lemon/parsley/Parmesan.
Swaps & Tips
- No tuna? Use canned chicken or chickpeas.
- No tomatoes? Use 1–1½ cups jarred marinara or tomato sauce.
- Extra hearty: Stir in 1–2 tbsp tomato paste for richness.
- Dairy-free: Skip cheese; add a drizzle of olive oil for body.
- Brighten it: A squeeze of lemon at the end wakes everything up.
