Penne with Tuna and Red Onion
Transform your weeknight dinner routine with this vibrant and flavor-packed Penne with Tuna and Red Onion recipe! This simple yet sophisticated dish combines tender penne pasta with flaky canned tuna, sweet caramelized red onions, and a zing of freshly squeezed lemon juice. A sprinkle of capers and a hint of chili flakes (optional) add a briny and slightly spicy kick, while fresh parsley brightens up each bite. Ready in just 30 minutes, this Mediterranean-inspired pasta is cooked to perfection and tossed in a light olive oil-based sauce, making it an easy, healthy, and utterly satisfying meal for any occasion. Perfect for seafood lovers and pasta enthusiasts alike, this quick and delicious recipe is sure to become a household favorite.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 300 grams penne pasta
- 2 cans canned tuna (in olive oil or water, drained)
- 1 piece red onion, medium
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 tablespoon capers, rinsed
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 0.25 teaspoon red chili flakes (optional)
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining the pasta.
While the pasta cooks, prepare the sauce. Thinly slice the red onion and set it aside.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced red onion and sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and slightly caramelized.
Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
Stir in the tuna, breaking it up gently with a spoon. Add the capers, lemon juice, salt, black pepper, and chili flakes (if using). Cook for another 2-3 minutes to heat through.
Add the drained penne to the skillet and toss to combine with the tuna mixture. If the sauce seems dry, stir in a bit of the reserved pasta cooking water a tablespoon at a time until the desired consistency is reached.
Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the chopped parsley.
Serve the penne warm, optionally garnished with extra parsley or a drizzle of olive oil. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1848 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 56.1 g | 72% | |
| Saturated Fat | 8.2 g | 41% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 100 mg | 33% | |
| Sodium | 3472 mg | 151% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 234.8 g | 85% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 13.8 g | 49% | |
| Total Sugars | 5.7 g | ||
| Protein | 106.4 g | 213% | |
| Vitamin D | 16.7 mcg | 83% | |
| Calcium | 97 mg | 7% | |
| Iron | 15.5 mg | 86% | |
| Potassium | 1559 mg | 33% | |
*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.
