Spaghetti with Italian Tuna Capers
Transport your taste buds to the Italian coast with this vibrant Spaghetti with Italian Tuna Capers recipe—a quick, flavorful dish that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or a casual gathering. Combining tender spaghetti with the rich, savory notes of canned tuna in olive oil, tangy bursts of capers, and the bright zest of fresh lemon, this pasta is elevated with fragrant garlic and a hint of spice from crushed red pepper flakes. Finished with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and a silky sauce created with reserved pasta water, it comes together in just 25 minutes. Whether you’re craving a taste of the Mediterranean or looking for an elegant yet simple meal, this recipe will leave everyone asking for seconds. Perfect keywords: Italian pasta recipe, tuna caper spaghetti, quick Mediterranean pasta.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 400 g Spaghetti
- 200 g Canned tuna in olive oil
- 2 tbsp Capers
- 3 Garlic cloves
- 4 tbsp Extra virgin olive oil
- 1 Lemon (zested and juiced)
- 3 tbsp Fresh parsley (chopped)
- 0.5 tsp Crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp Salt
- 0.25 tsp Ground black pepper
- 0.5 cup Pasta cooking water
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining.
Meanwhile, finely chop the garlic cloves and rinse the capers under cold water to remove excess salt or brine.
In a large skillet, heat the extra virgin olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped garlic and red pepper flakes, sautéing for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
Drain the canned tuna (reserving the oil if desired for additional flavor) and flake it into the skillet. Add the rinsed capers, stirring to combine with the garlic and oil.
Pour in the lemon juice and zest, stirring to evenly coat the tuna and capers. Cook for 2-3 more minutes over medium heat.
Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet, tossing to combine with the sauce. Gradually add the reserved pasta water, a few tablespoons at a time, to loosen the sauce and coat the pasta evenly.
Stir in the chopped parsley and season with salt and ground black pepper to taste.
Serve immediately, garnished with additional parsley if desired. Enjoy your Spaghetti with Italian Tuna Capers!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
384 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 19.6 g | 25% | |
| Saturated Fat | 3.3 g | 16% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 25 mg | 8% | |
| Sodium | 752 mg | 33% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 34.0 g | 12% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.6 g | 9% | |
| Total Sugars | 1.1 g | ||
| Protein | 19.2 g | 38% | |
| Vitamin D | 2.5 mcg | 12% | |
| Calcium | 27 mg | 2% | |
| Iron | 2.2 mg | 12% | |
| Potassium | 217 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.
