Spaghetti with Tuna and Lemon
Bright, zesty, and effortlessly elegant, this Spaghetti with Tuna and Lemon is the perfect weeknight dinner that’s big on flavor and light on prep time. Featuring al dente spaghetti tossed with tender, flaky tuna in fragrant olive oil, this dish comes alive with the vibrant tang of fresh lemon zest and juice. A touch of red pepper flakes adds a subtle heat, while garlic and fresh parsley deliver herbaceous, aromatic depth. Ready in just 25 minutes, this Mediterranean-inspired recipe is a simple yet sophisticated way to transform pantry staples into a crowd-pleasing meal. Pair with a crisp white wine and enjoy this citrusy, protein-packed pasta dish that’s as easy to make as it is to savor!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 400 grams spaghetti
- 2 cans (about 150 grams each) canned tuna in olive oil
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 piece lemon (zested and juiced)
- 0.5 teaspoons red pepper flakes
- 2 tablespoons parsley (fresh, chopped)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Add the spaghetti to the boiling water and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water before draining.
While the pasta cooks, peel and finely chop the garlic. Drain the canned tuna and set aside.
In a large skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil and chopped garlic. Sauté the garlic for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
Add the drained tuna to the skillet and gently break it apart with a spoon. Stir in the red pepper flakes and cook for 2 minutes.
Add the lemon zest and juice to the skillet and stir well. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Toss the cooked spaghetti into the skillet with the tuna mixture. Mix well to coat the pasta, gradually adding reserved pasta water a bit at a time to reach your desired consistency.
Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the chopped parsley.
Serve immediately, garnished with additional parsley or lemon zest if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1628 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 80.8 g | 104% | |
| Saturated Fat | 12.5 g | 62% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 150 mg | 50% | |
| Sodium | 3272 mg | 142% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 133.3 g | 48% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 9.9 g | 35% | |
| Total Sugars | 5.5 g | ||
| Protein | 90.9 g | 182% | |
| Vitamin D | 15.0 mcg | 75% | |
| Calcium | 129 mg | 10% | |
| Iron | 12.4 mg | 69% | |
| Potassium | 1154 mg | 25% | |
*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.
