Description
Pasta aru Tonnu, or Pasta with Tuna, is a flavorful Calabrian dish that combines garlic, chili, olives, and tuna with perfectly cooked spaghetti. Bursting with southern Italian character, it’s quick to make yet rich and satisfying—an ideal weeknight meal that tastes like a true Mediterranean classic.
Ingredients
½ cup olive oil
2 black olives, mashed
1 clove garlic, whole
1 tsp Calabrian-style hot pepper paste
200 g canned tuna in olive oil, drained
2 tbsp chopped parsley
500 g spaghetti
Salt, to taste
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add mashed black olives and the garlic clove. Sauté gently to infuse the oil with flavor, making sure the garlic doesn’t burn.
- Stir in the hot pepper paste and cook for 1–2 minutes, allowing it to melt into the oil and release its aroma.
- Add the tuna and break it apart gently with a spoon. Stir to combine and season lightly with salt if needed. Keep the heat low.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Transfer the cooked pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything together over medium heat, adding a splash of the reserved pasta water to help the sauce coat the pasta evenly.
- Sprinkle chopped parsley over the top and toss once more. Serve hot, drizzled with a little extra olive oil if desired.
Notes
Use high-quality canned tuna in olive oil for the best flavor and texture.
Add cherry tomatoes or lemon juice for extra brightness.
Top with toasted breadcrumbs or crushed nuts for added crunch.
Adjust the amount of chili paste to control the spice level.
Reheat gently in a skillet with a splash of water or olive oil to avoid drying out the tuna.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 560
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
