Tuna Olive Tapenade Spaghetti

Tuna Olive Tapenade Spaghetti

This is a great recipe to try if you’re looking for an alternative to pasta with basic tomato sauce. Pasta is a blank canvas and lends to every flavour combination imaginable…but sometimes, less is more. All you need are fresh, simple, light ingredients to make a delicious family meal.

This simple tuna olive tapenade spaghetti is a no fuss, healthy family meal to make on a busy week night or when you don’t have any pasta sauce on hand.

Tuna Olive Tapenade Spaghetti

Although this pasta is super light and healthy it’s packed with so much flavour. The subtle flavour of the tuna is complemented by the salty black olive tapenade and aromatic capers.

The base components of the sauce-sweet garlic and aromatic extra virgin olive oil add a depth of flavour in this light, fresh-tasting pasta dish.

Tuna Olive Tapenade Spaghetti

My kids are huge fans of olives (and tuna) and so this has become one of their favourite pasta dinners. We also spruce up this dish by adding a dollop of fresh, Sardinian bottarga (Yes, my kids each fish roe!).

Tuna Olive Tapenade Spaghetti

If it were up to my husband and kids we’d have pasta for dinner every night! I, on the other hand have more of an appreciation for vegan fare.

Nonetheless this tuna olive tapenade spaghetti has become one of my faves, especially for a simple, delicious, on-the-fly dinner for busy nights!

Tuna Olive Tapenade Spaghetti

DSC_6145

Tuna Olive Tapenade Spaghetti

2015-01-23
: 4 servings
: 15 min
: 40 min

This is a great recipe to try if you’re looking for an alternative to pasta with basic tomato sauce. Pasta is a blank canvas and lends to every flavour combination imaginable…but sometimes, less is more. All you need are fresh, simple, light ingredients to make a delicious family meal. This simple tuna olive tapenade spaghetti is […]

By:

Tuna Olive Tapenade Spaghetti
5
5
1
33
Ingredients
    1-2 tbs. black olive tapenade
  • 3 cans of tuna (packed in olive oil is best), drained
  • 2-3 tbs. extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tbs. capers, finely mined or halved (then removed)
  • 1-2 garlic cloves, finely minced
  • 450 grams spaghetti
  • 1/2 cup pasta water
Directions

Heat oil in a large frying pan on medium heat for 1-2 minutes. Add the minced garlic and saute for 2-3 minutes or until lightly browned. Add the olive tapenade and capers, stir to combine then cook for 4-5 minutes.

DSC_6147

Once the pasta is cooked, drained (removing 1/2 cup of pasta water and setting aside). Add the pasta directly into the pan with the sauce. Add 1/4 cup of the pasta water and stir to combine. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens and the pasta is coated by the sauce. *If the sauce dries out too quickly add the remaining 1/4 cup of water and stir to combine.

DSC_6155

Serve warm, garnished with another dollop of olive tapenade, a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, and freshly grated Parmesan, if desired.

DSC_6158

Store in the fridge in an air tight container for up to 2 days.

DSC_6156

33 thoughts on “Tuna Olive Tapenade Spaghetti”

  • I need to get a few more ingredients, but I am going to try this. As I have been looking for an alternative sauce.

  • Michelle D. Johnson Garrett 9 years ago

    This looks delicious and a great quick night meal! We’ll be adding this to our must try list. My kids always surprise me with what they will eat if I just give it to them with a smile and a promise that it’s delicious.

  • Penny Struebig 9 years ago

    Yum! This looks like a great alternative to your standard pasta with sauce. We’ll be trying this one.

  • Rebecca Swenor 9 years ago

    This sounds and looks interesting indeed. I have never had a pasta dish like this before but it is something I will have to make for the family. I have been look for different tuna dishes. Thanks for sharing.

  • Debi@The Spring Mount 6 Pack 9 years ago

    It sounds very interested. I have never had tapenade but I love anything pasta so I bet it is fantastic.

    • Do you like olives? If so, you would love tapenade! You could make a simple one by blending olives with some good quality extra virgin olive oil, herbs (rosemary, oregano, thyme), and garlic!

  • This looks yummy. I love pasta, too and pasta. I’m all about health choices.

  • Ohh my… This looks so yummy!! 🙂 Maybe will make pasta tonight.

  • This looks yummy! I love pasta and tuna separately…so I should definitely try it together. Thank you for the idea. 🙂

  • Carly Anderson 9 years ago

    Oh YUM! That looks delish! I would never have thought to put tuna on pasta!

  • Fiona Naughton 9 years ago

    I love pasta. I never have tuna other than in mayonnaise though, I really need to be more adventurous with it.

  • My Mom, brother, and I are pasta-lovers. We usually have pasta day at least twice-a-month. We take turns preparing something and I’m saving this recipe for my turn next month.

    • Twice a month?! My hubby and kids would die, lol! Seriously, they would eat it EVERY day!!! I like the idea of taking turns as well! I would love to hear how this one turns out 😉

  • This looks like a delicious dish. I’ve never put tuna in my pasta before, but I think I should try it out!

  • I have never put these two together that’s for sure, but it does sound interesting I must admit, and heck I’ll try any thing once. Thanks for sharing. Have a great weekend.

  • Kim Smith 9 years ago

    I have only enjoyed tuna as a cold salad, can’t even eat a tuna casserole! But I may try this and turn that corner.

  • Nina Say 9 years ago

    Olives are my favorite snack of all time. But olives in a pasta? I’m drooling over here.

  • I am not a big fan of tuna. I wonder if this would be good with chicken?! I am going to give it a try!

  • Thank you for this recipe! I can’t wait to try cooking it at home 🙂

  • I never thought of adding tuna to pasta like this! Besides for the traditional tuna mac, I just never thought of them pairing well. You’ve officially changed my mind 🙂 Can’t wait to try!

    • See, I’d much prefer this than a tuna mac, lol! It sounds like an odd combination but the pasta is really light and fresh..not like tuna mac, lol!

  • Mama to 5 Blessings 9 years ago

    I would have never thought of adding tuna over my pasta. Very interesting way to change it up!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.