Tuna Tomato Sauce for Pasta
This tuna tomato sauce is a cozy, flavorful dish that comes together with pantry staples, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. Give it a try for a casual family meal or a laid-back date night—it’s so easy and delicious, you’ll want to make it again and again!
Ingredients
- 3 large cans tuna drained (about 15 oz total)
- 1 onion finely chopped
- 1 large carrot or 2 small, diced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cups canned crushed tomatoes
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- 10 oz spaghetti
Instructions
- Prep the veggies. Finely chop the onion and dice the carrot into small cubes.
- Sauté the onion. Heat olive oil in a deep skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, sprinkle with a pinch of salt, and stir occasionally for 5 minutes until soft.
- Cook the carrot. Add the diced carrot to the skillet. If the veggies start to stick or burn, add about ¼ cup water (not too much—don’t let them swim!). Cook for 15 minutes, adding small splashes of water as needed, until the carrot is soft.
- Cook the pasta. Meanwhile, boil the spaghetti in a pot of salted water according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Make the sauce. Pour in the crushed tomatoes, dried basil, sugar, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 2 minutes to let the flavors meld.
- Add the tuna. Stir in the drained tuna, turn off the heat, and mix well. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Serve. Spoon the sauce over the cooked spaghetti and enjoy!
Notes
Use good-quality canned tuna for the best flavor—tuna in olive oil adds extra richness.
If the sauce thickens too much, add a splash of pasta water to loosen it up.