Quick Tuna & Olive Spaghetti

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