Tuna Pesto Pasta Recipe Creamy Version

Basil pesto, tuna, and cream in a pasta dish

Prep Time15

Cook Time40

Total Time55

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: pasta, pesto, tuna

Servings: people

Calories: 3717kcal

Author: Vanjo Merano

Boil the penne pasta al dente (see notes below) according to package instructions. Drain the pasta water. Set both aside.
16 ounces penne pasta
Melt butter in a pan. Add olive oil.
2 tablespoons butter, 2 teaspoons olive oil
Sauté the onion for 30 seconds.
1 onion
Add the garlic. Continue sautéing until the onion softens and the garlic starts to brown. Note: Do not brown the garlic completely. (see notes below)
8 cloves garlic
Add the tuna. Sauté for 1 minute.
10 ounces tuna
Add the pesto sauce. Stir and continue cooking for another minute.
½ cup pesto sauce
Pour Nestle all-purpose cream and 3 tablespoons of pasta water.
250 ml. Nestle All-Purpose Cream
Season with salt and ground black pepper. Gently stir the mixture.
salt and ground black pepper to taste
Add the cooked penne pasta into the pan. Toss until coated completely.
Add the Parmesan cheese. Toss. (see notes below)
¼ cup Parmesan cheese
Transfer to a serving plate. Serve and enjoy!

Al Dente - Refers to the ideal texture for pasta, meaning it is cooked firm but not hard, offering a slight resistance when bitten. This texture is important because it prevents the pasta from becoming mushy and helps it hold its shape when combined with sauces. To achieve al dente, follow the time recommended on the package, but start testing the pasta a minute or two earlier to ensure it has the right bite.
Browning the Garlic - Lightly browning garlic enhances its natural sweetness and nutty aroma, which works well with other ingredients. Over-browning alters its flavor, making it harsher and less pleasant. It can be bitter when overcooked.
Adding Parmesan Cheese - Parmesan cheese is added at the end of the cooking process, away from direct heat, to preserve its texture and flavor. High heat can cause the cheese to clump or become stringy.