Description
A quick and flavorful Spicy Tuna Spinach Pasta that’s perfect for a nutritious weeknight dinner. This dish combines tender pasta with sautéed garlic, red chili flakes, tuna, fresh spinach, and optional cherry tomatoes, all finished with a splash of lemon juice and topped with Parmesan cheese for a deliciously spicy and vibrant meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz pasta (penne, spaghetti, or your choice)
Sauce and Toppings
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1 (5 oz) can tuna in olive oil, drained
- 4 cups fresh spinach leaves
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Juice of half a lemon
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water for the sauce.
- Sauté garlic and chili flakes: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and red chili flakes; sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add tuna: Add the drained tuna to the skillet and gently break it up with a spoon to combine with the garlic and chili mixture.
- Cook spinach: Stir in the fresh spinach and cook until wilted, about 2–3 minutes.
- Add cherry tomatoes: If using, add the cherry tomatoes and cook for another 1–2 minutes to soften.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Mix in the cooked pasta, gradually adding reserved pasta water a little at a time to loosen the sauce and blend flavors.
- Season: Season with salt, freshly ground black pepper, and lemon juice to taste, enhancing the dish’s brightness and spice.
- Serve: Serve hot, topped with grated Parmesan cheese if desired for a creamy, salty finish.
Notes
- Adjust red chili flakes according to your spice tolerance.
- Use any pasta shape you prefer, but penne or spaghetti work best for even sauce coating.
- Reserve pasta water is key to loosening the sauce and helps bind the ingredients.
- Parmesan cheese adds richness but can be omitted for a dairy-free version.
- Fresh spinach can be substituted with kale or arugula for different flavors.
- Cherry tomatoes are optional but add a nice burst of sweetness and color.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
