This is one of my emergency, store-cupboard recipes that gets thrown together in the time it takes for the pasta to cook. It’s quick and easy as well as being a healthy, nutritious meal that the kids love! It’s also easy to substitute the spaghetti for a gluten-free variety and just omit the cheese (or substitute lactose free) to make it dairy-free too. One small tin of tuna goes a long way with this recipe and there’s no need for much seasoning as the tuna, olives and parmesan are all a little salty (depending on the variety you use). Halved, cherry tomatoes, stirred in with the spinach are also a nice addition or a crumbling of feta cheese on the top. If I make it for the whole family, the adult portions are topped with sliced spring onion.
Ingredients:
- 2 salad tomatoes, chopped (a few spoonfuls of chopped, tinned tomatoes will do)
- Small (160g) tin tuna. We like it in spring water rather than brine as its less salty
- Approx 30 pitted olives, halved. We like the green ones and usually buy them stuffed with pimento but plain, black or other stuffings will do!
- Large glug olive oil
- Grated parmesan cheese (you can substitute other hard cheeses if you prefer)
- A few twists of pepper
- Handful fresh spinach leaves- optional
- Spaghetti. We like the whole wheat but substitute for gluten free if needed.
Method:
- Get the spaghetti cooking
- In a large frying pan, fry the tomatoes gently in a little olive oil with a twist of pepper, until soft
- Fork through the tuna, breaking up the chunks into flakes and add to the tomatoes
- Add the olives and allow to warm through, stirring occasionally
- Once the spaghetti is cooked (best left with a little bite), drain and add to the frying pan
- Add another twist of pepper and plug of olive oil and toss the spaghetti around until all is coated
- At this point you can add the spinach if using. I like to shred it first and mix it in over the heat so it wilts a little but some prefer it raw and add it off the heat.
- You can also add the parmesan and mix through but mine don’t all like it so I leave it on the table to add as desired.
Enjoy your Quick Tuna & Olive Spaghetti!!
Previous recipes: Easy Chicken & Bacon Risotto, Spaghetti & Mozzarella Meatballs, Gluten & Dairy Free Mini Fish Pies, Toad in the Hole with a Twist, Pop Chicken Nuggets, Chicken ‘Kinda’ Kiev Crunchy Salmon Fishcakes, The Best Bolognese, Quick Spinach and Watercress Soup, Chicken & Spinach Pasta Bake, Easy Bacon and Monkfish Risotto, Hake in a Cheesy Sauce, Roasted Vegetable Pasta Sauce, Chinese Salmon, Chorizo and veg pasta & Homemade fish (or chicken) fingers.
Click here for more quick, cheap and healthy dinner ideas and follow my blog for regular Kids Tea Tuesdays! xx
This is one recipe I am definitely going to try I love tuna and spaghetti but I will leave out the olives. Thank you for linking up to #ablogginggoodtime ?
Oh this looks yummy! Might have to substitute out the olives (yuck!) and put in more of the feta cheese as suggested… mmm mmmm
#KCACOLS
Mmmm yum this is my type of meal. Unfortunately my fussy husband & daughter would not contemplate this dish but it’s a nice quick and easy one for me to make when I’m eating alone. Olives are my favourite 🙂
#KCACOLS
You’re right – this does sound super easy! Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS. Hope you come back again next Sunday
Looks super tasty and easy too! The girls don’t like tuna though 🙁 x #KCACOLS
I love recipes like this that just use ingredients from the store cupboard! I’ve never really liked olives, but then again it’s been a long time since I last tried them, so maybe it’s time I gave them another chance! x #KCACOLS
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