Tuna linguine is a delicious quick and easy weeknight meal. This canned tuna recipe makes for the perfect budget family meal to fill everyone up!

Folks, if you're looking for what to have for dinner tonight that will take the minimum amount of effort then look no further than this tuna linguine recipe.
This easy canned tuna pasta dinner uses just a handful of store cupboard ingredients and can be on the table in only 20 minutes.
Not only is this dish quick and easy but it's absolutely delicious and filling too.
There will be absolute silence at your dinner table as this tasty meal is devoured.
Just like my tuna tomato pasta this recipe is one I turn to frequently when I don't have the time or willpower to spend too long in the kitchen cooking!
This tuna linguine is relatively healthy too as long as you don't go overboard on the pasta.
I like to serve mine with either a couple of slices of garlic bread or a green side salad.
The flavours of this linguine with tuna sauce are amazing.
You get a fantastic creamy tuna pasta recipe with a light lemony tuna taste.
You can also change up this recipe to suit your own tastes like adding some more garlic or extra chilli flakes if you wanted a bit more heat.
I usually always have a couple of cans of tuna in kitchen cupboard as well as a selection of different kinds of pasta's.
That makes it easy to put out easy dishes like this Italian tuna pasta.
You never know what life or indeed the world is going to throw at you these days, do you?
So it makes sense to have basic ingredients like these in the kitchen that can be quickly and easily thrown together to make some great food.
Why not check out my other tuna pasta dishes below as examples of other delicious staples that you can easily make with these ingredients?
Jump to:
Ingredients
- Linguine - you can easily substitute with other types of dried pasta like spaghetti, penne or farfalle.
- Olive Oil - for this recipe because the olive oil is part of the sauce I recommend using a good quality extra virgin olive oil.
- Garlic - use only freshly grated / minced garlic cloves. You won't get the same effect if you use powdered.
- Chilli Flakes - add or reduce the amount you use to give the desired amount of heat in the dish that you require.
- Canned Tuna - you do have a choice here. I prefer to use a can of chunky tuna in spring water, drained. You can get tuna in olive oil but as I'm already adding a good quality extra virgin olive oil then I don't want to mix the oils or to make the sauce too oily.
- Lemon - I recommend using fresh lemon to get fresh lemon juice. It's just so much better for this recipe.
- Flat Leaf Parsley - Use freshly chopped parsley. You could also use freshly chopped basil too.
- Freshly Gound Salt And Black Pepper - for seasoning to your taste.
- Parmesan - use only freshly grated to give the dish it's Italian authenticity.
How to Make This Tuna Linguine In 5 Easy Steps
- Get your linguine cooking according to the packet instructions. Don't drain all the water once cooked though.
- Whilst your linguine is cooking heat the oil in a large pan, add the garlic and chilli, stirring for 30 seconds.
- Add the drained tuna, lemon juice and parsley. Allow to heat through. Season to taste.
- Add the drained cooked pasta to the pan, toss together and add a little pasta cooking water if sauce too thick.
- Serve topped with some freshly grated parmesan cheese.
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FAQ's
How Many Calories Are In This Healthier Tuna Linguine?
There are 300 calories per serving.
Is Tuna Pasta Healthy To Eat?
This tuna pasta can be considered healthy when eaten as part of a balanced diet and by using the exact ingredients in this recipe. To make it even more healthy you could opt to use whole wheat pasta.
What Can I Add To This Recipe?
You could add a little spinach to this recipe, allowing it to cook at the end of stage 3 (above). Some halved cherry tomatoes also add a sweetness which can be stirred in with the pasta to get them warmed through
What To Serve With This Dish?
This dish is quite filling but I like to serve it with a couple of slices of garlic bread which helps to mop up all the delicious sauce at the end. You could also serve it with a simple salad of lettuce, cucumber and tomatoes.
How To Store?
This pasta recipe is best eaten fresh and straight away. You can store it for up to 2 days in an airtight sealed container in the fridge though. It's possible to take it to work and eat it cold as a packed lunch.
How To Reheat?
Leftovers are best reheated in a saucepan on the stove over a low heat until warm enough to serve again.
Can I freeze?
No. I would not recommend freezing this tuna recipe. It's best to enjoy fresh tuna linguine!
Other Popular Tuna Pasta Recipes You Might Also Like
📋 Tuna Linguine Recipe
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Ingredients
- 250 g linguine
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 clove garlic crushed.
- ยผ teaspoon chilli flakes
- 145 g can of tuna in spring water drained.
- ยฝ lemon squeezed.
- 1 tablespoon flat leaf parsley chopped.
- Freshly ground salt and pepper
- Freshly grated parmesan
Instructions
- Cook the linguine according to the packet instructions. Reserve 3 - 4 tablespoon of the pasta cooking water then drain.
- Gently heat the oil in a large pan / skillet then add the garlic and chilli flakes stirring for about 30 seconds.
- Add the drained tuna, lemon juice and parsley. Stir well allowing to heat through then switch off the heat and season to taste.
- Stir the drained pasta into the tuna sauce adding a little of the reserved pasta water if sauce is too thick.
- Serve topped with some freshly grated parmesan cheese and a couple of slices of garlic bread.
Nutrition
Nutrition Label
Nutritional information provided below is calculated using paid for online tools and the exact ingredients and quantities used above.
Rate The Recipe
If you’ve made this tuna linguine recipe, or any other recipes on Neil's Healthy Meals, then please let me know.
David @ Spiced
What a fun recipe Neil! We often keep tuna in the pantry, too, but I feel like 99% of the time it gets used for tuna salad sandwiches. While those sandwiches are delicious, I really appreciate the idea of mixing it up and using that tuna in a pasta recipe. This sounds like an easy weeknight meal!
Neil
Thanks David. Yes I do enjoy tuna salad sandwiches too. In fact I often take them to work. But you can make a can of tuna go so much further with this dish don't you think? ๐
Chef Mimi
I love this! Definitely good if youโre on a budget, but also really good! I make this kind of dish when weโve just returned from a trip, except that I wouldnโt have fresh parsley! Great recipe!
Neil
Exactly. This is perfect for when you get back from somewhere and haven't had a chance to get any shopping in. Thanks Mimi!
Easyfoodsmith
My daughter will certainly love this meal! ๐
Neil
Hope she enjoys it. Thanks! ๐
Ben | Havocinthekitchen
Canned tuna is one of my favourite options when it comes to a quick yet delicious meal. I love using it in salads, dips, flatbread, and pasta. This recipe is lovely - just a little touch of garlic, chili flakes, and lemon do elevate a simple dish to something elegant!
Neil
Totally agree with you Ben. Canned tuna is perfect for so many options. It's minimum effort which I like best! Thanks for commenting and rating my recipe as always. Hope you are well! ๐
Katerina
We're loving tuna in everything these days, Neil, so this is a great addition to our range of tuna meals. Thanks for the inspiration!
Neil
You can never have enough tuna recipes can you Katerina? ๐ Thanks!