Tuna Pesto Pasta is full of flavor and protein, and can be made in 15 minutes or less. Whether you serve it warm or cold, this 7-ingredient pasta dish is sure to be a hit.
Looking to switch up your lunch game? This recipe is your ticket. This easy tuna pesto pasta recipe is full of flavor from basil pesto and protein from canned tuna. Cherry tomatoes add sweetness and red onion adds a bit of crunch. This pesto pasta salad (it can be served warm or cold) is perfect for meal prep too!
We are total tuna lovers in our house. It's such an easy protein and can be prepared lots of different ways. Aside from this pesto pasta, we love it in Tuna Rice Salad, Mexican Tuna Salad and Tuna Casserole as well.
For more recipes using pesto, check out Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad, Baked Pesto Butter Salmon, and Creamy Instant Pot Pesto Chicken
Why you'll Love this Recipe
Pantry Staples- This recipe only uses a few ingredients and most of them you probably already have on hand.
Quick and Easy- With very little chopping, this pesto tuna pasta can be made from start to finish in around 15 minutes.
Full of Flavor- Basil Pesto is full of flavor as are the onions and garlic!
Ingredients
- Canned Tuna- You can use tuna packed in oil or water, I prefer to use tuna packed in water and then add the oil myself.
- Pesto Sauce- Store Bought pesto makes this recipe a breeze. If you want to make the pesto homemade, try this recipe for Lemon Basil Pesto Sauce.
- Pasta- I prefer a short past such as fusilli or mostaccioli, but any type will work.
- Red Onion and Garlic- This adds a bit of crunch and a whole lot of flavor. Dice them small so the flavor isn't overwhelming.
- Lemon Juice- A squeeze of fresh lemon juice helps to mellow out the onions and garlic since they are eaten raw. It also adds a bit of brightness to the rich pesto sauce.
- Cherry Tomatoes- Any color is great.
Instructions
Step 1. Prepare pasta according to the packaging instructions. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water if needed. While the pasta is cooking, dice red onion and mince garlic. Add both to a large mixing bowl and squeeze fresh lemon juice over top. Allow to sit for a 2-3 minutes to mellow out the flavor of the aromatics.
Step 2. Add canned tuna to mixing bowl. There is no need to drain. Break up tuna with a fork into small chunks.
Step 3. Add cooked pasta, halved tomatoes, and pesto.
Step 4. Stir to combine. Add a splash of pasta water if needed to smooth out the sauce.
Recipes Notes and Tips
This dish can be served warm or cold.
The pasta will dry out as it sits in the refrigerator. Simply add a drizzle
of olive oil to refresh the dish if needed.
Allowing the onions and garlic to soak in the lemon juice for a minute will mellow out their flavor and take away any bitterness.
More Pasta Salads
Did you enjoy these Tuna Pesto Pasta? I would love for you to let me know by leaving a comment and star rating. I can't wait to hear from you!
Tuna Pesto Pasta
Ingredients
- 2 5 oz. tuna cans in water or oil
- ½ lb. dry pasta
- ½ cup basil pesto
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes sliced in half
- 1 tbsp. lemon juice
- ½ cup red onion diced small
- 2 garlic cloves minced
Instructions
- Prepare pasta according to the packaging instructions. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water if needed.
- While the pasta is cooking, dice red onion and mince garlic. Add both to a large mixing bowl and squeeze fresh lemon juice over top. Allow to sit for a 2-3 minutes to mellow out the flavor of the aromatics.
- Add canned tuna to mixing bowl. There is no need to drain. Break up tuna with a fork into small chunks.
- Add cooked pasta, halved tomatoes, and pesto.
- Stir to combine. Add a splash of pasta water if needed to smooth out the sauce.
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