Penne Pasta with Zesty Garlic Lemon Tuna Sauce
Brighten up your pasta night with this Penne Pasta with Zesty Garlic Lemon Tuna Sauce—a quick, flavorful dish that’s as refreshing as it is satisfying. Featuring tender penne tossed in a vibrant sauce made from garlic-infused olive oil, tangy lemon juice, and flaky tuna, this recipe combines pantry staples to create a gourmet experience in just 25 minutes. A dash of red chili flakes adds a hint of spice, while fresh parsley and optional Parmesan cheese provide the perfect finishing touch. Whether you’re whipping up a weeknight meal or entertaining guests, this Mediterranean-inspired pasta recipe delivers bold flavor with minimal effort. Perfect for lovers of simple yet elegant seafood pasta recipes!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic cloves
- 2 5-oz cans canned tuna in olive oil
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 3 tbsp lemon juice
- 0.5 tsp red chili flakes
- 2 tbsp parsley
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water and then drain the pasta.
While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Finely mince the garlic cloves and add them to the skillet. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant but not browned.
Drain the canned tuna, reserving a little of the oil, and add the tuna to the skillet. Break it into smaller chunks with a wooden spoon.
Stir in the lemon zest, lemon juice, and red chili flakes. Let it cook for 1-2 minutes to combine the flavors.
Add the cooked penne pasta to the skillet and toss to coat evenly in the sauce. If the mixture seems dry, add some of the reserved pasta water, a little at a time, until desired consistency is reached.
Stir in chopped parsley, salt, and black pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
Serve immediately, topped with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
382 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 18.1 g | 23% | |
| Saturated Fat | 4.6 g | 23% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 39 mg | 13% | |
| Sodium | 844 mg | 37% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 28.8 g | 10% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.9 g | 7% | |
| Total Sugars | 1.0 g | ||
| Protein | 27.3 g | 55% | |
| Vitamin D | 3.6 mcg | 18% | |
| Calcium | 128 mg | 10% | |
| Iron | 1.9 mg | 11% | |
| Potassium | 252 mg | 5% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
