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0 from 6 votes

Tuna Pesto Pasta with Arugula Spinach Pesto and Canned Tuna

This tuna pesto pasta recipe with arugula spinach pesto is a quick and simple weeknight pesto pasta that uses canned tuna and a homemade arugula and spinach pesto.

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Toasting and cooling walnuts
10 mins
Total Time
35 mins
Servings: 4
Calories: 822 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

Arugula spinach pesto
  • ½ cup walnuts, toasted
  • 1 to 2 cloves garlic
  • 1 ounce parmesan plus more for serving
  • 10 ounces baby arugula and spinach leaves
  • ¼ cup olive oil plus more as needed
  • lemon zest from one small lemon
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons lemon juice plus more to taste1
  • 1 teaspoon salt
Tuna pesto pasta
  • 1 pound short, thick pasta like cavatappi, fusilli, or penne
  • 2 cans (10 ounces) tuna packed in oil

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Heat a pot of water on high while making the pesto.
Arugula spinach pesto
    Cup of Yum
  1. Add the toasted walnuts, garlic, and Parmesan to the food processor and blitz until fine.
  2. Add the arugula and spinach, olive oil, lemon zest and juice, and salt and blitz, scraping down as needed until all of the leaves have been chopped into a puree. You may need to add more olive oil to get it to your desired consistency.
Tuna pesto pasta
  1. When the water is at a full boil, add salt and then wait for it to return to a boil.
  2. Add the pasta and cook per the instructions until al dente (it should be cooked through but still be slightly firm when you take a bite).
  3. Turn off the burner, reserve a cup of pasta water, drain the pasta, and return it to the pasta pot. Add pesto and stir, adding more to your taste. Use a splash of pasta water to create a thin sauce if the pesto is not sticking to your pasta.
  4. Drain and discard the oil from the can of tuna and break it into large or small flakes or chunks, depending on your preference. Mix the tuna gently into the pasta.
  5. Serve warm with additional Parmesan, or let cool to room temperature.

Notes

  • I estimate about 4 ounces of pasta per person, although 2 ounces is the official serving size.
  • I estimate about 4 ounces of pasta per person, although 2 ounces is the official serving size.
  • This arugula spinach pesto won't oxidize and go brown as quickly as does basil pesto. However, it's still a good idea to cover it with plastic wrap if you are not going to use it immediately to make this tuna pesto pasta recipe.

Nutrition Information

Calories 822kcal (41%) Carbohydrates 91g (30%) Protein 40g (80%) Fat 33g (51%) Saturated Fat 5g (25%) Polyunsaturated Fat 11g Monounsaturated Fat 15g Cholesterol 27mg (9%) Sodium 1002mg (42%) Potassium 837mg (24%) Fiber 6g (24%) Sugar 5g (10%) Vitamin A 1753IU (35%) Vitamin C 15mg (17%) Calcium 243mg (24%) Iron 4mg (22%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 822

% Daily Value*

Calories 822kcal 41%
Carbohydrates 91g 30%
Protein 40g 80%
Fat 33g 51%
Saturated Fat 5g 25%
Polyunsaturated Fat 11g 65%
Monounsaturated Fat 15g 75%
Cholesterol 27mg 9%
Sodium 1002mg 42%
Potassium 837mg 18%
Fiber 6g 24%
Sugar 5g 10%
Vitamin A 1753IU 35%
Vitamin C 15mg 17%
Calcium 243mg 24%
Iron 4mg 22%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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