Spaghetti al tonno is a classic Italian dish that combines the simple yet robust flavors of tuna, olives, and capers in a light tomato sauce. This version adds a twist by incorporating the briny, bold taste of caperberries and the subtle bitterness of green olives, creating a satisfying and flavorful meal that's perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a casual gathering.
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Keyword Onions, Pasta, Tomatoes, Tuna
Total Time 1 hourhour
Servings 4
Calories 318kcal
Ingredients
400gspaghetti
2cans320g of tuna in olive oil, drained
400gcanned diced tomatoes
3clovesgarlicthinly sliced
100ggreen olivespitted and halved
50gcaperberriesdrained and halved
4tbspextra virgin olive oil
1/2tspred pepper flakesoptional
Salt and black pepper to taste
Fresh parsleychopped, for garnish
Instructions
Cook the spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
Prepare the sauce: While the pasta is cooking, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using), and sauté until the garlic is fragrant and lightly golden, about 2 minutes.
Add the tomatoes: Pour in the canned diced tomatoes, season with salt and black pepper, and simmer for about 10 minutes until the sauce has thickened slightly.
Incorporate the tuna: Add the drained tuna to the sauce, breaking it up gently with a spoon. Stir in the green olives and caperberries, allowing them to heat through for about 3 minutes. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta cooking water.
Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet and toss well to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce. Drizzle with the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil, and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
Garnish and serve: Remove the skillet from the heat, and sprinkle the dish with freshly chopped parsley. Serve the spaghetti al tonno immediately, with extra parsley and olive oil on the side if desired.