Tuna Fish Spaghetti Sauce

Prep: 10 min Cook: 65 min Serves: 1 Cuisine: Italian

A quick, flavorful tuna spaghetti sauce featuring garlic, herbs, and tomato, perfect for a hearty, satisfying meal suitable for seafood lovers and pasta enthusiasts alike.

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Ingredients

  • 1 medium can flaked tuna fish
  • 2+ cloves garlic
  • 1+ Tbsp. chopped parsley
  • 1+ Tbsp. olive oil
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 1/8 tsp. pepper
  • 1 small can tomato puree

Instructions

  1. Brown tuna fish, garlic, and parsley in olive oil over gentle fire for 10 minutes.
  2. Add salt, pepper, tomato puree, and canned tomatoes, then simmer for 1 hour.
  3. Add oregano and basil and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
  4. Serve over spaghetti or fine noodles.

Tips & Substitutions

For a more flavorful sauce, consider adding a splash of white wine while cooking the garlic and tuna. If you prefer a spicier kick, include a pinch of red pepper flakes. You can substitute the flaked tuna with canned salmon or anchovies for different seafood flavors. For freshness, try adding a squeeze of lemon juice just before serving, enhancing the dish's brightness.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this tuna fish spaghetti sauce over your choice of pasta, such as spaghetti or fine noodles, for a satisfying meal. Accompany it with a side salad and garlic bread for a complete dinner. This dish pairs beautifully with Italian recipes like Zesty Shrimp Sauce With Linguine, making it a great addition to a seafood-themed meal.

Storage & Reheating

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm the sauce in a saucepan over low heat, adding a splash of water or broth if it thickens too much. You can also microwave it in short intervals, stirring in between to ensure even heating.

Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)

Each serving of Tuna Fish Spaghetti Sauce contains roughly 361 calories, with 15g protein, 86g carbohydrates, and 6g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (222% of the Daily Value), vitamin C (176% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (175% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 3000mg per serving (130% of the Daily Value).

361 kcal 18% DV
Protein Fat Carbs

Macronutrients

Protein 15.2g 30% DV
Total Fat 5.6g 7% DV
Carbs 86.2g 31% DV
Fiber 49.1g 100% DV
Sugar 13g 26% DV

Electrolytes

Sodium 3000mg 100% DV
Potassium 2207.3mg 47% DV
Cholesterol 0.5mg

Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamin A 522.4mcg 58% DV
Vitamin C 158.5mg 100% DV
Vitamin D 0mcg
Calcium 1816mg 100% DV
Iron 40mg 100% DV
Diet fit High-fiber Under 400 cal Low-fat
Contains Fish

Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.

* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use fresh tuna instead of canned?

Yes, you can use fresh tuna! Just make sure to sear it in the olive oil until it's cooked through before adding the garlic and parsley. Fresh tuna will give a more robust flavor, but will require slightly different cooking times.

What can I use instead of tomato puree?

If you don't have tomato puree, crushed tomatoes or even tomato sauce can work as a substitute. Just be aware that using crushed tomatoes may result in a chunkier sauce, which some may prefer for added texture.

Is this recipe suitable for freezing?

Yes, this sauce freezes well! Allow it to cool completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe container. It can be stored for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and warm gently on the stove or microwave.

Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).

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