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A close-up of a wooden spoon scooping up a serving of delicious tuna pasta salad from a white bowl.

Creamy Lemon Herb Tuna Pasta

This quick and satisfying creamy lemon herb tuna pasta recipe is perfect for a weeknight dinner, combining flaky tuna with a bright, rich sauce and al dente pasta. It's an easy and delicious way to enjoy a classic Tuna Pasta.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Mediterranean
Calories: 580

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 12 oz dry pasta e.g., spaghetti, linguine, rotini, penne
  • 8 cups water for boiling pasta
  • 1 tbsp salt for pasta water
For the Tuna Sauce
  • 2 cans tuna in oil or water 5 oz each, drained
  • 2 tbsp olive oil extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 small onion finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/4 cup dry white wine or vegetable broth
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tsp lemon zest freshly grated
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped
  • 2 tbsp fresh chives chopped
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes optional
  • to taste Salt
  • to taste Black pepper freshly ground
For Garnish (Optional)
  • Extra fresh parsley chopped
  • Extra lemon wedges

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • Large Skillet
  • Colander
  • Whisk

Method
 

Prep
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water (8 cups water, 1 tbsp salt) to a rolling boil. Add the dry pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining. Drain the pasta and set aside.
Make the Sauce
  1. While the pasta cooks, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the finely diced onion and cook for 3-5 minutes until softened and translucent. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using), and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
  2. Pour in 1/4 cup dry white wine or vegetable broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it simmer for 1-2 minutes until slightly reduced.
  3. Reduce heat to low. Stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream, 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1 tsp lemon zest, 1/2 tsp dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Whisk gently until the sauce is smooth and heated through.
  4. Gently flake the drained tuna into the sauce. Stir in 1/4 cup fresh chopped parsley and 2 tbsp fresh chopped chives.
Combine and Serve
  1. Add the cooked and drained pasta directly to the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything together, adding a splash of the reserved pasta water as needed (1/4 to 1/2 cup) to reach your desired consistency. The pasta water helps the sauce cling to the pasta.
  2. Remove from heat and stir in 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese until melted and incorporated. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
  3. Divide the creamy lemon herb tuna pasta among serving plates. Garnish with extra fresh parsley and lemon wedges if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

This Tuna Pasta recipe is fantastic for meal prep; simply store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If the sauce thickens too much upon reheating, add a tablespoon of water or broth to loosen it.