Tuna Pasta

This lemon tuna pasta is an easy canned tuna recipe made with pasta, peas, garlic, fresh lemon, and olive oil. It’s a simple, budget-friendly dinner that comes together with pantry staples and makes a delicious weeknight meal. The bright lemon-garlic sauce complements the savory tuna, while the peas add color and a little extra fiber.

I love entertaining (especially backyard entertaining in the summer) and having friends and family over to our place for dinner. The comfort and fun had around the dinner table will always hold a special place in my heart. One of my go-to recipes is lemon garlic pasta and this lemon tuna pasta recipe is a simple step up from there! It’s a canned tuna recipe you’ll want to serve to guests.

Every time we invite others over, however, I’m always so unsure about what to make. I always want to make my guests happy and go all out, but I also like to maintain our lighter way of eating. I also don’t want to break the bank for a fun dinner (with a toddler who keeps eating more and more at the table).

Ok. And if we’re really putting it all out there, I don’t want to plan that much. It’s why things like this last minute fruit board are such a mainstay in our house!

Tuna Pasta

I haphazardly started making this pasta and peas recipe years ago as a side dish. It’s so fast and delicious, you won’t believe it. Not to mention, it’s tasty leftover!

But the really awesome thing is that it’s a great one pot recipe for a dinner or side dish!! Add the ease (and protein) of canned tuna, and you’re basically all set (without having to plan ahead).

It’s a dinner recipe that everyone will love and it’s kind of the most magical thing ever (ok – besides this classic recipe for 7 layer bars of course).

Tuna Pasta Ingredients

• dry pasta (I like rotini or penne)
• water
• olive oil
• salt
• frozen peas
• garlic
• lemon zest & juice
• salt & pepper
• canned white tuna (albacore or light tuna) in water

How to Make Tuna Pasta

Cook Pasta

Cook pasta as directed on package instructions. With about 2 minutes left in cooking time, add frozen peas—they heat up that quickly! Drain pasta water, reserving ¼ cup of the pasta water. You’ll add a splash of this starchy water when combining the pasta with the sauce to help everything coat the noodles.

Make Sauce

In the empty pasta pot, warm olive oil and garlic for just 2 minutes over medium heat to infuse the flavor into the oil. Reduce heat to low, add the lemon zest and juice. Cook for 3–5 minutes.

Combine and Serve

Add the cooked pasta and peas back to the pot. Toss with the lemon-garlic sauce, adding a splash of reserved pasta water as needed. Gently fold in the drained tuna. It’s already cooked, so it will break apart as you mix it in. Serve with Parmesan cheese!

Why Use Canned Tuna?

I feel as though canned tuna is one of those underrated pantry staples. It can go into SO many dishes! I usually have a can or two in my kitchen, and I love that it adds lean protein and healthy fats, including omega-3 fatty acids, to our meals.

Made with pantry staples, this lemon tuna pasta is a perfect option for a healthy weeknight dinner or last-minute dinner guests. Tuna pasta dinner for the win!

Easy Ways to Customize Tuna Pasta

Lemon and garlic are a perfect pairing for tuna pasta! The fresh, bright acidity of lemon balances the savory flavor of tuna, while the garlic adds a delicious depth of flavor without overpowering the fish.

You can customize this recipe with a few easy add-ins, too. Try red pepper flakes for a little heat, capers for a briny, salty bite, or fresh parsley for a pop of color and freshness. A little extra lemon zest is another easy way to brighten everything up!

I love the color and convenience of frozen peas in this dish, but other vegetables work well, too. I’ve often added fresh spinach (like I did in this pea pasta dinner). Green beans, small broccoli florets, cherry tomatoes, or asparagus would also be delicious. Just adjust the cooking time based on the vegetable you choose.

If you’re up for using another pan, sautéed onions, bell peppers, or zucchini would be great additions. And if you have fresh herbs on hand, try chopped parsley or fresh basil on top!

You can also swap the canned tuna for canned salmon or try flaked white fish. Anchovies could add a savory depth of flavor, too, though you may want to reduce the added salt.

If you have extra peas, try this pea pesto and this pea pasta sauce! Both are so good and, again, require no real planning!

How to Make Creamy Tuna Pasta

I love the lightness of the olive oil and lemon sauce in this tuna pasta, but a creamy tuna pasta is always comforting too, isn’t it?

You can easily add in 2-3 tablespoons of plain Greek yogurt or even sour cream. The yogurt will be tangier and the sour cream will be richer, but both are tasty.

For a creamy, dairy-free tuna pasta, try adding raw cashews to the sauce. Soak the cashews in hot water until softened, then blend them with a little water until smooth and creamy. Stir the cashew cream into the pasta toward the end of cooking, adding a splash of reserved pasta water as needed to help the sauce coat the noodles. It adds a rich, creamy texture without dairy while letting the lemon, garlic, and tuna flavors shine.

How to Store Tuna Pasta

Store extra tuna pasta in sealed containers in the refrigerator. I like glass containers like these ones. These are great for storing leftovers and meal prep (one and the same sometimes)!

I personally think this pasta is best leftover as a cold pasta salad rather than reheating the fish. You can see a very similar take on it with this bowtie pasta salad!

If you want your tuna pasta warmed up, however, I recommend doing it on the stovetop. Add the pasta with about 2 teaspoons of water to a pot. Heat on medium-low, stirring occasionally until warm throughout.

Tuna Pasta FAQs

Is Tuna Pasta Healthy?

Tuna pasta can be a great option for a balanced meal. This lemon tuna pasta recipe combines protein-rich canned tuna with peas, which provide fiber, and a simple lemon and olive oil sauce. Tuna also provides omega-3 fatty acids, which support heart and brain health. It’s an easy, satisfying dinner made with everyday pantry staples.

Can You Eat Tuna Pasta Cold?

Yes! This canned tuna pasta recipe is delicious cold!

Can You Make Tuna Pasta Ahead of Time?

Yes! You can cook the pasta and peas ahead of time to make dinner prep easier. For the freshest flavor and texture, I’d wait to make the lemon-garlic sauce and add the tuna until just before serving. This helps keep the tuna from breaking apart too much as you mix everything together.

Want some other good pasta recipes? This roasted vegetable pasta (topped with goat cheese) is easy, inexpensive and delicious! Ham Pasta with asparagus is another family favorite! And chicken sausage pasta is a regular on our dinner table!

Simpler versions (great as a side dish too) are pasta and peas and this one pot summer veggie pasta is a mandatory one in our house.

On the lighter side, this fresh cherry tomato pasta with ricotta is divine and this creamy vegan pasta with broccoli is heartier than you’d ever expect from a plant-based meal!

And this cabbage pasta is a good recipe to get more veggies into your dinners without anyone really noticing!

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