Fresh Tuna and Cherry Tomato Pasta Recipe: A Delightful Italian Dish
Looking for a fresh, vibrant, and easy-to-make pasta dish that will make your taste buds sing? Look no further than this Fresh Tuna and Cherry Tomato Pasta recipe! Perfectly balanced with the richness of fresh tuna, the sweetness of cherry tomatoes, and the fragrant notes of basil and parsley, this dish is ideal for a light yet satisfying meal. Itโs simple to prepare but filled with bold flavors, making it a great choice for lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Paccheri (large pasta tubes) | 320g |
| Fresh tuna (cut into strips) | 120g |
| Cherry tomatoes (halved) | 200g |
| Taggiasca olives (pitted) | 20g |
| Garlic (whole) | 1 clove |
| Fresh chili pepper | 1 |
| Lemon zest | 1 lemon |
| Salt | To taste |
| Black pepper | To taste |
| Extra virgin olive oil | As needed |
| Fresh basil | To taste |
| Fresh parsley | To taste |
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the ingredients
Start by preparing your cherry tomatoes. Wash them thoroughly, then cut them in half to release their juices and intensify their flavor. Afterward, take the fresh tuna and slice it into thin strips, making it ready for cooking.
Step 2: Sautรฉ garlic and chili
In a large skillet, heat a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic clove and fresh chili pepper. Allow them to sizzle gently, releasing their aromatic flavors for about a minute. Be careful not to let the garlic brown, as it can become bitter.
Step 3: Cook the tuna
Once the garlic and chili have infused the oil, add the tuna strips to the pan. Let them sear for a couple of minutes until they are just cooked through. At this stage, remove the garlic and chili from the pan to avoid overcooking them, but be sure to leave them in the pan for about two more minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
Step 4: Create the sauce
Pour in a splash of pasta water (reserved from when the pasta is cooked), allowing it to help create a light sauce with the tuna. Stir gently to combine the tuna with the liquid, letting the sauce develop. Add the halved cherry tomatoes to the pan and allow them to cook for another couple of minutes. The tomatoes should soften and release their juices, turning into a succulent sauce.
Step 5: Add olives and seasonings
Now, itโs time to add the Taggiasca olives. These flavorful olives will complement the tuna and tomatoes perfectly. Add a little more pasta water if needed and continue to cook for another 3 to 4 minutes until the flavors are well combined. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Sprinkle in the fresh parsley and basil, finely chopped, for a burst of fresh, herbal flavor.
Step 6: Mix with pasta
While preparing the sauce, cook the paccheri according to the package instructions. Once the pasta is cooked al dente, drain it, reserving some pasta water. Add the cooked paccheri directly to the pan with the tuna and tomato sauce, and toss everything together. The pasta will soak up all the delicious flavors of the sauce, making every bite a burst of flavor.
Step 7: Final touches
Before serving, finish off the dish with a sprinkle of fresh lemon zest. This adds a refreshing citrus note that cuts through the richness of the tuna and olive oil. Give everything one last toss, ensuring that the pasta is well coated with the flavorful sauce.
Step 8: Serve and enjoy!
Plate the pasta in bowls or on plates, garnish with a few fresh basil leaves, and serve immediately. Your Fresh Tuna and Cherry Tomato Pasta is ready to be enjoyed by all!
Tips and Variations
- Olive oil: Use high-quality extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor, as itโs a key ingredient in this dish.
- Tuna: If fresh tuna is unavailable, you can substitute it with canned tuna in olive oil, but fresh tuna gives the dish a much more refined taste and texture.
- Herbs: You can experiment with other fresh herbs such as thyme or oregano if you prefer a different flavor profile.
- Pasta: While paccheri are perfect for this dish due to their size and texture, other pasta shapes like penne or rigatoni can also work well.
This dish offers the perfect combination of simple ingredients, making it an easy, quick, and elegant meal to enjoy. Whether itโs for a weeknight dinner or a weekend feast, Fresh Tuna and Cherry Tomato Pasta is sure to be a favorite in your household. Serve it with a side of crisp salad and a glass of white wine for the ultimate Mediterranean-inspired meal. Enjoy!
