Tuna pesto pasta

Name: Tuna pesto pasta
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 50 grams walnuts; 80 grams fresh basil; 50 grams parmesan and extra for serving; 2 garlic cloves; 1 tablespoon lemon juice; zest from one medium lemon; 120 millilitre olive oil; 350 grams dried pasta of choice; 1 teaspoon salt; 2 x 145g (102g drained) tins of tuna in oil

User Reviews

5.0

129 reviews

Excellent

Cook Time
mins
Total Time
15 mins
Servings
4 servings
Calories
873 kcal
Course
Main Course, Snacks
Cuisine
International

Tuna pesto pasta

Damien Carter

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Tuna pesto pasta is a delicious combination of tuna and aromatic homemade pesto, perfectly tossed with al dente pasta. It's bursting with fresh flavours, it's filling, simple, yet elegant. The best part is that it can be prepared in a jiffy and is perfect for a quick weekday dinner. It takes as long to make as it takes for the pasta to cook, so you can have this on the table in less than 15 minutes. It's also an excellent option for packed lunches and it tastes equally good hot or cold.

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Ingredients

Servings

For the pesto

50 grams walnuts
80 grams fresh basil
50 grams parmesan and extra for serving
2 garlic cloves crushed or minced
1 tablespoon lemon juice
zest from one medium lemon
120 millilitre olive oil or 8 tablespoons

For the pasta

350 grams dried pasta of choice or 500g fresh pasta
1 teaspoon salt
2 x 145g (102g drained) tins of tuna in oil or tuna in water/brine

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Instructions

For the pasta

In a large saucepan, cook the pasta with the salt according to the packet instructions. Only cook until the pasta is al dente.
Drain the cooked pasta in a colander and transfer back into the saucepan.

For the pesto

Start on the pesto once you have put the pasta on to cook.
Add the 50g of walnuts to a small frying pan and toast them over a medium-high heat until lightly browned and smelling nutty.
To a food processor, add the toasted walnuts, basil, parmesan, garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest and olive oil. Whizz together until smooth or until the texture of your liking (we like it coarse!).

Heat the tuna

Drain the tuna and add it to a frying pan over medium heat. If you are using tuna in oil there is no need to add oil to the pan. If you are using tuna in water/brine, add a small dash of oil to the pan first. Fry for about 2 minutes until heated through.

Assemble the pasta

Add the pesto to the warm pasta followed by the tuna. Combine well and check for salt. You can also add a few grinds of black pepper. Serve warm with extra parmesan on top.If you made this for a packed lunch the next day, let the pasta cool completely before putting in the fridge.

Nutrition Information

Show Details

Calories 873kcal (44%) Carbohydrates 69g (23%) Protein 43g (86%) Fat 47g (72%) Saturated Fat 8g (40%) Polyunsaturated Fat 12g Monounsaturated Fat 25g Cholesterol 24mg (8%) Sodium 1151mg (48%) Potassium 507mg (14%) Fiber 4g (16%) Sugar 3g (6%) Vitamin A 1221IU (24%) Vitamin C 6mg (7%) Calcium 229mg (23%) Iron 4mg (22%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 873 kcal

% Daily Value*

Calories	873kcal	44%
Carbohydrates	69g	23%
Protein	43g	86%
Fat	47g	72%
Saturated Fat	8g	40%
Polyunsaturated Fat	12g	71%
Monounsaturated Fat	25g	125%
Cholesterol	24mg	8%
Sodium	1151mg	48%
Potassium	507mg	11%
Fiber	4g	16%
Sugar	3g	6%
Vitamin A	1221IU	24%
Vitamin C	6mg	7%
Calcium	229mg	23%
Iron	4mg	22%