This easy and tasty Buddy’s Tuna Pasta by Jamie Oliver is a quick, nutritious meal perfect for busy nights. With simple ingredients like leek, tuna, and tomatoes, you can whip up a creamy, hearty dish in no time. Plus, it’s versatile—swap in any veggies you have for extra flavor!
Ingredients Needed
- 1 leek
- Optional: ½ a fresh red chili
- 1 clove of garlic
- 1 x 400g (14 oz) tin of quality plum tomatoes
- 1 x 80g (2.8 oz) tin of tuna in spring water, from sustainable sources
- 130g (4.6 oz) dried spaghetti
- 2 sprigs of fresh basil
- Parmesan cheese, to serve
How To Make Buddy’s Tuna Pasta
- Prepare the Vegetables: Halve, wash, and finely slice the white part of the leek (save the green part for stock or soup). If using, halve, deseed, and finely chop the chili, and peel and finely chop the garlic.
- Cook the Vegetables: Place a large non-stick frying pan on medium heat with ½ a tablespoon (7.5 ml) of olive oil. Add the chopped vegetables and cook for 5 minutes, stirring regularly, until softened.
- Add Tomatoes and Tuna: Scrunch in the tomatoes (or break them up with a wooden spoon). Quarter-fill the tin with water, swirl it around to pick up the last bits of tomato, and pour it into the pan. Drain and flake in the tuna, add a pinch of black pepper, and a tiny pinch of sea salt. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer, stirring regularly.
- Cook the Pasta: Cook the pasta in a large pan of boiling salted water according to the package instructions. Drain, reserving a mugful (240 ml) of the starchy cooking water.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the pasta to the sauce, pour in a little of the reserved pasta water to help the sauce stick, and stir well over the heat.
- Serve: Divide the pasta between bowls using tongs. Pick and finely slice the basil leaves, scatter them on top, and serve with a good grating of Parmesan cheese.
Recipe Tips
- Don’t overcook the pasta: Follow the packet instructions carefully and make sure the pasta is al dente, as it will continue cooking when mixed with the sauce.
- Reserve pasta water: Always save a mugful of pasta water before draining—it helps thicken the sauce and makes it stick to the pasta.
- Adjust seasoning: Taste the sauce before serving and add more salt or pepper if needed to enhance the flavor.
- Double the sauce: Make extra sauce and freeze it for a quick meal next time, saving you time on busy days.
How To Store And Reheat Leftovers?
- Refrigerate: Let the leftover tuna pasta cool to room temperature before storing it in an airtight container in the fridge. It will stay fresh for up to 2 days.
- Freeze: To freeze, allow the pasta to cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container or freezer bag. It can be frozen for up to 1 month. To thaw, place it in the fridge overnight before reheating.
- Reheating: Heat the pasta in a frying pan over medium heat for about 5-7 minutes, adding a splash of water or olive oil to loosen the sauce. Stir occasionally until it’s warmed through.
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 1 cup or 203 grams)
- Calories: 347
- Total Fat: 5.4g
- Saturated Fa1t: 0.8g
- Total Carbohydrate: 56.9g
- Dietary Fiber: 5g
- Sugars: 9.6g
- Protein: 21.5g
Try More Jamie Oliver Recipes:
- Jamie Oliver Buddy’s Spinach Pici Pasta
- Jamie Oliver One-pan Veggie Lasagne
- Jamie Oliver Scruffy Veg Lasagne
- Jamie Oliver Leftover Get-ahead Gravy Scruffy Lasagne
Jamie Oliver Buddy’s Tuna Pasta
Description
This easy and tasty Buddy’s Tuna Pasta by Jamie Oliver is a quick, nutritious meal perfect for busy nights. With simple ingredients like leek, tuna, and tomatoes, you can whip up a creamy, hearty dish in no time. Plus, it’s versatile—swap in any veggies you have for extra flavor!
Ingredients
Instructions
- Prepare the Vegetables: Halve, wash, and finely slice the white part of the leek (save the green part for stock or soup). If using, halve, deseed, and finely chop the chili, and peel and finely chop the garlic.
- Cook the Vegetables: Place a large non-stick frying pan on medium heat with ½ a tablespoon (7.5 ml) of olive oil. Add the chopped vegetables and cook for 5 minutes, stirring regularly, until softened.
- Add Tomatoes and Tuna: Scrunch in the tomatoes (or break them up with a wooden spoon). Quarter-fill the tin with water, swirl it around to pick up the last bits of tomato, and pour it into the pan. Drain and flake in the tuna, add a pinch of black pepper, and a tiny pinch of sea salt. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer, stirring regularly.
- Cook the Pasta: Cook the pasta in a large pan of boiling salted water according to the package instructions. Drain, reserving a mugful (240 ml) of the starchy cooking water.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the pasta to the sauce, pour in a little of the reserved pasta water to help the sauce stick, and stir well over the heat.
- Serve: Divide the pasta between bowls using tongs. Pick and finely slice the basil leaves, scatter them on top, and serve with a good grating of Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- Don’t overcook the pasta: Follow the packet instructions carefully and make sure the pasta is al dente, as it will continue cooking when mixed with the sauce.
- Reserve pasta water: Always save a mugful of pasta water before draining—it helps thicken the sauce and makes it stick to the pasta.
- Adjust seasoning: Taste the sauce before serving and add more salt or pepper if needed to enhance the flavor.
- Double the sauce: Make extra sauce and freeze it for a quick meal next time, saving you time on busy days.
Jamie Oliver Buddy’s Tuna Pasta