Pasta al Tonno (Pasta With Tomatoes and Tuna)

• servings: 4 servings
• total time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

3 tablespoons (45ml) extra-virgin olive oil

3 medium garlic cloves (15g), lightly crushed

1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

One 28-ounce (800g) can whole peeled tomatoes, coarsely crushed by hand

Kosher salt

1 teaspoon (5ml) fish sauce (optional)

10 1/2 ounces (300g) olive oil-packed tuna, drained and gently flaked into 2-inch pieces (see note)

12 ounces (340g) dried long pasta such as spaghetti, spaghettoni, bucatini, or linguine

1 packed cup (3/4 ounce; 25g) flat-leaf parsley leaves and tender stems, finely chopped

Directions

In a large skillet or straight-sided sauté pan, combine oil and garlic. Cook over medium heat, turning garlic cloves occasionally, until garlic is deep golden brown on all sides, about 5 minutes. Using tongs or a slotted spoon, remove garlic from skillet; discard garlic. Add red pepper flakes and continue to cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

Add tomatoes, season lightly with salt, and bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until oil is emulsified and sauce is thickened slightly, about 10 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low, add fish sauce (if using) and tuna, and stir gently until just incorporated into sauce, taking care to keep pieces of tuna as intact as possible.

Meanwhile, in a pot of salted boiling water, cook pasta until just shy of al dente (about 2 minutes less than the package directs). Using tongs, transfer pasta to sauce, along with 1/4 cup (60ml) pasta cooking water. Alternatively, drain pasta using a colander or fine-mesh strainer, making sure to reserve at least 1 cup (240ml) pasta cooking water.

Increase heat to high and cook, stirring and tossing rapidly, until pasta is al dente and sauce is thickened and coats noodles, 1 to 2 minutes, adding more pasta cooking water in 1/4 cup (60ml) increments as needed to adjust consistency of sauce. Remove from heat, add parsley, and stir to combine. Season with salt to taste. Serve immediately.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: Serves 4
• Calories: 543 kcal
• Total Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
• Cholesterol: 27 mg
• Sodium: 362 mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 73 g
• Dietary Fiber: 5 g
• Total Sugars: 8 g
• Protein: 28 g