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    Home » Recipes » Main Course

    Quick and Easy 4 Ingredient Tuna Pesto Pasta

    Modified: Apr 4, 2025 • Published: Jun 26, 2022 by Dr. Erin Carter • This post may contain affiliate links • 1 Comment

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    A bowl of tuna pesto pasta topped with basil leaves
    a bowl of tuna pesto pasta topped with fresh basil leaves
    a bowl of tuna pesto pasta
    a bowl of tuna pesto pasta

    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!

    A bowl of tuna pasta pesto topped with fresh basil and chopped tomatoes.

    If you love easy seafood recipes like my pan seared shrimp recipe and blackened cod then you are going to love this pesto recipe!

    Table of Contents
    • Why you will love this recipe: 
    • Ingredients and substitutions:
    • Recipe variations and add ins:
    • How to make tuna pesto pasta: 
    • Top Tips:
    • Tuna pesto pasta FAQs:
    • Other fish recipes you will love: 
    • Recipe

    Why you will love this recipe: 

    • This tuna pesto pasta recipe has the most incredible flavour. 
    • It's so quick and easy to make and takes less than 20 minutes to prepare! You only need 4 ingredients to make it! 
    • This healthy tuna pasta can be served warm or cold so it's a great option to pack for lunches.
    • This simple recipe can easily be made gluten-free, dairy-free and paleo.
    • It's a great dish to bring to picnics, barbecues, cookouts or tailgates.

    If you love pesto you will also love my citrus arugula pesto recipe and veggie pesto pasta recipe.

    Ingredients and substitutions:

    For the full ingredient list and exact measurements refer to the recipe card later in this post.

    Jump to the Recipe Card.
    The ingredients needed for making tuna pasta pesto in small bowls.
    • Pasta noodles - you can use any type of pasta that you like for this tuna pesto pasta recipe including spaghetti, bow tie, penne, spiral, chickpea pasta, lentil pasta, etc.
    • Pesto - you can either use store bought pesto, or make your own homemade pesto, whichever you prefer. I love using my walnut pesto, easy parsley pesto or easy arugula pesto to make this pesto salad. 
    • Canned tuna - this adds protein to this recipe, making it a complete meal. You can either use canned tuna in oil or canned tuna in water.
    • Tomatoes - baby tomatoes (also known as grape tomatoes or 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. 

    Recipe variations and add ins:

    • To make this recipe dairy-free: use a dairy free pesto.
    • To make gluten-free: use gluten-free pasta noodles. 
    • 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.

    How to make tuna pesto pasta: 

    A metal colander with cooked spiral noodles in it.
    1. Step 1: First, cook the pasta noodles as per the package directions, until the noodles are al dente (just under cooked). 
    A large bowl filled with cooked spiral noodles.
    1. Step 2: Next, drain the water from the cooked pasta noodles and transfer them to a large bowl. 
    A bowl of pasta noodles covered in pesto.
    1. Step 3: Then add the pesto to the bowl with the noodles and toss everything well to coat.
    A bowl filled with cooked noodles covered in pesto sauce with chopped tomatoes on it.
    1. Step 4: Now add in the chopped tomatoes and drained can of tuna and mix well to combine. 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.
    A bowl of tuna pasta salad topped with fresh basil leaves.

    Tuna pesto pasta FAQs:

    Is pesto pasta healthy?

    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.

    What goes well with pesto?

    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. 

    Can I freeze this pasta recipe?

    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.

    How should I store any leftovers?

    Store any leftover pasta in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

    Other fish recipes you will love: 

    • A piece of blackened mahi mahi on a plate with cooked asparagus and lime wedges beside it.
      The Best Blackened Mahi Mahi (easy & healthy)
    • A plate with pan seared shrimp on it with lemon wedges beside them.
      Super Easy Pan Seared Shrimp
    • Air Fryer Scallops recipe
      Easy Air Fryer Scallops with Lemon Butter
    • A piece of blackened cod on a plate with cooked asparagus.
      The Best Blackened Cod (Quick and Easy)

    Since you made it this far we are basically best friends so be sure to follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok and Facebook where I share even more recipes and healthy living tips! And don’t forget to leave this recipe a star rating before you go!

    Recipe

    A bowl of tuna pasta pesto topped with fresh basil.

    Tuna Pesto Pasta

    This is the best tuna pasta pesto recipe. It's easy to make and is full of flavour. Have a healthy meal on the table in less than 20 minutes!
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Fish, Main Course, Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Diabetic, Gluten Free, Low Lactose
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 495kcal
    Author: Dr. Erin Carter

    Equipment

    • Pot or saucepan
    • Colander

    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

    1. Nutritional values are as estimate and will vary depending on the exact ingredients used. 
    2. You can use any type of pesto that you prefer for this recipe. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 495kcal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 678mg | Potassium: 290mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1584IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 123mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @pureandsimpleno or tag #pureandsimpleno!

    DISCLAIMERS: The statements made on this website have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration or Health Canada. The information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. You assume full responsibility for how you use this information. Always consult with your physician or other health professionals before making any diet or lifestyle changes. This post may contain affiliate links whereby if you purchase these products I receive a small percentage of the sale price. This allows me to keep the blog running and I thank you for allowing me to do that!

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Erik

      June 28, 2022 at 5:57 pm

      This pesto is amazing! Good combo!5 stars

      Reply

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