This Tuna Pesto Pasta recipe takes a creamier strategy by combining tuna and cream with pasta. When you get pleasure from creamy dishes, this easy recipe is an ideal selection for you.
Printed: 3/15/25
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For this tuna pesto pasta recipe, we’re giving it a creamy twist. Historically, pesto pasta doesn’t embrace cream, however this model will present you the way the cream enhances the recent, herby flavors of the pesto sauce superbly. It’s a easy change that makes an enormous distinction.

It’s no shock that pasta lends itself to numerous recipes, and on this one, tuna takes middle stage alongside basil pesto sauce. Including tuna to this creamy pesto pasta recipe brings a barely briny taste that pairs splendidly with the herby notes of the pesto sauce. The delicate and flaky texture of the tuna additionally creates a visually interesting mixture because the flakes combine naturally with the penne pasta. Amongst seafood, tuna stands out as the perfect fish for this dish due to its gentle but distinct style that doesn’t overpower the fragile cream and pesto flavors.
Methods to Prepare dinner Creamy Tuna Pesto Pasta Recipe
- Prepare dinner The Penne Pasta Till Al Dente – Boil 16 ounces of penne pasta based on the bundle directions, ensuring it stays agency. Reserve 3 tablespoons of the pasta water earlier than draining. Set each apart for later use.
- Sauté The Aromatics for a Flavorful Base – In a pan, soften 2 tablespoons of butter and add 2 teaspoons of olive oil to stop burning. Sauté the minced onion for about 30 seconds till fragrant. Add the minced garlic, stirring till the onion softens and the garlic turns golden. Keep away from over-browning the garlic, as it may well turn into bitter.
- Mix Tuna with Pesto Sauce – Add 10 ounces of canned tuna to the pan, breaking it into chunks as you sauté for a few minute. Stir in ½ cup of pesto sauce, letting the flavors mix evenly for one more minute.
- Put together The Creamy Sauce – Pour in 250 ml of Nestle All-Goal Cream together with the reserved pasta water. This step enhances the sauce’s clean and creamy texture. Season with salt and floor black pepper to style, and stir gently to combine completely.
- End With Parmesan and Serve – Add the cooked penne pasta into the sauce and toss till well-coated. Sprinkle ¼ cup of grated Parmesan cheese over the pasta and toss once more. Switch to a serving plate, and your creamy Tuna Pesto Pasta is able to get pleasure from.
Ideas & Methods
- Choose For Oil-Packed Tuna – Canned tuna packed in olive oil has a richer, extra strong taste in comparison with water-packed tuna. Simply drain the surplus oil earlier than including it to the pan.
- Heat The Cream Earlier than Including – Barely warming the Nestle All-Goal Cream earlier than pouring it into the pan prevents it from curdling and helps it mix easily with the sauce.
- Sprint of Lemon on the Finish – In order for you the richness of the cream untouched, be happy to skip this suggestion. For a slight citrusy stability and aroma, you may add round 1 teaspoon of lemon juice to the dish, simply sufficient to brighten the flavour and complement the creaminess with out overpowering the pesto.


What Is Pesto and Methods to Make It
Pesto is a traditional Italian sauce—a easy but fragrant mix that provides a burst of taste to pasta, sandwiches, and extra. The substances are floor or blended collectively to create a thick, vibrant inexperienced sauce.
To make pesto, begin by mixing recent basil leaves, garlic, toasted pine nuts, grated Parmesan cheese, and olive oil in a meals processor. For the precise measurements and detailed steps, you may discuss with this Basil Pesto recipe. One-half cup of that is what we want for our creamier Tuna Pesto Pasta recipe.
Methods to Serve Tuna Pesto Pasta
Serve creamy tuna pesto pasta whereas it’s nonetheless heat for the most effective expertise. Garnish with extra grated Parmesan cheese for further taste, or sprinkle freshly cracked black pepper to boost the dish’s aroma and style. If you wish to add a contact of freshness, prime it with a couple of basil leaves.
Pair the dish with heat garlic bread or a easy inexperienced salad for a whole meal. These sides add a pleasant distinction to the creamy pasta and make it much more fulfilling.
Different Pesto Pasta Recipes
Pesto is usually loved with pasta, so listed below are another pesto pasta recipes I discovered to be indulgent.
Did you make this? When you snap a photograph, please make certain tag us on Instagram at @panlasangpinoy or hashtag #panlasangpinoy so we are able to see your creations!


Tuna Pesto Pasta Recipe Creamy Model
Basil pesto, tuna, and cream in a pasta dish
Directions
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Boil the penne pasta al dente (see notes under) based on bundle directions. Drain the pasta water. Set each apart.
16 ounces penne pasta
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Soften butter in a pan. Add olive oil.
2 tablespoons butter, 2 teaspoons olive oil
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Sauté the onion for 30 seconds.
1 onion
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Add the garlic. Proceed sautéing till the onion softens and the garlic begins to brown. Observe: Don’t brown the garlic fully. (see notes under)
8 cloves garlic
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Add the tuna. Sauté for 1 minute.
10 ounces tuna
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Add the pesto sauce. Stir and proceed cooking for one more minute.
½ cup pesto sauce
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Pour Nestle all-purpose cream and three tablespoons of pasta water.
250 ml. Nestle All-Goal Cream
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Season with salt and floor black pepper. Gently stir the combination.
salt and floor black pepper to style
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Add the cooked penne pasta into the pan. Toss till coated fully.
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Add the Parmesan cheese. Toss. (see notes under)
¼ cup Parmesan cheese
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Switch to a serving plate. Serve and revel in!
Notes
- Al Dente – Refers back to the splendid texture for pasta, that means it’s cooked agency however not arduous, providing a slight resistance when bitten. This texture is necessary as a result of it prevents the pasta from turning into mushy and helps it maintain its form when mixed with sauces. To attain al dente, observe the time advisable on the bundle, however begin testing the pasta a minute or two earlier to make sure it has the best chew.
- Browning the Garlic – Calmly browning garlic enhances its pure sweetness and nutty aroma, which works properly with different substances. Over-browning alters its taste, making it harsher and fewer nice. It may be bitter when overcooked.
- Including Parmesan Cheese – Parmesan cheese is added on the finish of the cooking course of, away from direct warmth, to protect its texture and taste. Excessive warmth could cause the cheese to clump or turn into stringy.
Diet Info
Energy: 3717kcal (186%) Carbohydrates: 375g (125%) Protein: 138g (276%) Fats: 183g (282%) Saturated Fats: 87g (435%) Polyunsaturated Fats: 9g Monounsaturated Fats: 37g Trans Fats: 1g Ldl cholesterol: 472mg (157%) Sodium: 2464mg (103%) Potassium: 2035mg (58%) Fiber: 19g (76%) Sugar: 28g (31%) Vitamin A: 7236IU (145%) Vitamin C: 17mg (21%) Calcium: 882mg (88%) Iron: 12mg (67%)