This is the best tuna pesto pasta recipe! It's so easy to make with just four ingredients including pasta, pesto, canned tuna, and tomatoes. This tuna pasta salad can be served cold or hot and is great for meal prep. This healthy recipe can easily be made gluten free and dairy free too!
Table of Contents
Why you will love this recipe:
- This tuna pesto pasta recipe has the most incredible flavour.
- It's so fast, quick and easy to make and you only need 4 ingredients!
- This pasta dish takes less than 20 minutes to make so it is a great option for an easy weeknight meal.
- This homemade healthy tuna pasta can be served warm or cold so it's a great option to pack for lunches.
- This recipe can easily be made gluten free, dairy free and paleo.
- This a great dish to bring to picnics, barbecues, cookouts or tailgates. It's one of those healthy recipes that everyone loves.
- This quick meal makes great leftovers so it's perfect for meal prep.
If you love pesto you will also love my citrus arugula pesto recipe!
Key ingredients and substitutions:
You should be able to find all of these ingredients at your local grocery store. For the exact measurements refer to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Pasta noodles - you can use any type of pasta noodles that you like for this recipe including spaghetti, bow tie, penne, spiral, chickpea pasta, lentil pasta, etc. To make this recipe gluten free use gluten-free pasta noodles.
- Pesto - pesto adds the most refreshing flavour to this tuna pasta recipe. You can either use store bought pesto, or make your own homemade pesto, whichever you prefer. I love using this walnut pesto to make this pesto salad. If you have allergies you can also use a nut-free pesto to make this recipe.
- Canned tuna - canned tuna adds healthy protein and fat to this recipe, making it a complete meal. You can either use canned tuna in oil or canned tuna in water. You can use different types of canned tuna including yellowfin tuna, chunk light tuna, skipjack tuna, wild planet tuna, albacore tuna or safe catch tuna.
- Tomatoes - baby tomatoes, grape tomatoes or fresh cherry tomatoes add such a fun, delicious flavour to this healthy pasta salad. You can use any color of tomato that you prefer, and if you don't like tomatoes simply omit them from the recipe.
How to make:
Step one:
First, cook the pasta noodles as per the package directions, until the noodles are al dente (just under cooked).
Step two:
Next, drain the water from the cooked pasta noodles and transfer them to a large bowl.
Step three:
Then add the pesto to the bowl with the noodles and toss everything well to coat.
Step four:
Now add in the chopped tomatoes and drained can of tuna and mix well to combine.
Step five:
Then serve and enjoy! If you prefer a cold pasta salad, refrigerate it for 1 hour before serving.
Top tips:
- For best results be sure to drain the can of tuna before adding it to the pasta.
- Don't overcook the noodles. You don't want them to be soggy.
- This easy recipe can be served warm or cold so it's also a great pasta salad.
Recipe variations and add ins:
- You can use any type of noodles or pasta shape that you prefer for this recipe including penne, spaghetti, bowtie, spiral etc.
- Feel free to double or triple this recipe if you are serving a crowd or if you want to have leftovers for meal prep.
- Feel free to add other vegetables such as chopped cucumber, zucchini, spinach, broccoli or mushrooms. This recipe is a great way to use up veggies you have in the fridge.
- To make this recipe gluten free: use gluten-free pasta noodles.
- To make this recipe paleo: use paleo noodles and a paleo compliant pesto.
- To make this recipe dairy free: use a dairy free pesto.
How to serve:
This meal is delicious served as is, but you could pair it with other side dishes like garlic bread or a salad. You could also serve this as a side dish with other main dishes such as meat or fish dishes.
You can also top this pasta dish with some black pepper or fresh basil. I also love adding a few pine nuts to give it even more texture and the best flavour. If you tolerate dairy feel free to top this pasta with some grated parmesan cheese or shredded parmesan cheese for an even creamier flavour.
How to store:
Store any leftover tuna pasta in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 5 days. I don't recommend trying to freeze this recipe as the noodles turn out rather mushy if you try to eat them after they've been frozen.
Frequently asked questions:
Pesto pasta is a healthy, delicious meal. How healthy it is will depend on the exact ingredients used but you can make it even healthier by adding protein such as cooked chicken or tuna and topping it with fresh vegetables such as tomatoes or cucumber.
Pesto goes really well with pasta, rice, meat dishes and fish dishes. It can also be used as a dip, dressing or marinade. You can also use pesto as a spread for sandwiches, as a topping for pizza or two mix in with eggs.
Other recipes you will love:
- Citrus arugula pesto
- Walnut pesto
- Blackened cod
- Kale and apple slaw
- Sun dried tomato pasta
- Healthy broccoli salad
- Lemonade smoothie
- Parsley pesto
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Recipe
Tuna Pasta Pesto
Ingredients
- 8 ounces pasta noodles
- 1 cup pesto (more or less to taste)
- 1 cup chopped baby tomatoes
- 1 can tuna, drained and broken into pieces (142 grams)
Optional
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta noodles as per the package instructions, until the noodles are al dente.
- Drain the water from the noodles and transfer them to a large bowl.
- Add the pesto to the bowl with the noodles and toss everything well to coat.
- Add in the chopped tomatoes and tuna and mix well to combine.
- Serve and enjoy! If you prefer a cold pasta salad refrigerate it for 1 hour before serving.
Notes
- Nutritional values are as estimate and will vary depending on the exact ingredients used.
- You can use any type of pesto that you prefer for this recipe.
Erik
This pesto is amazing! Good combo!