💡 At a Glance
- The Pasta Sauce: A creamy tomato tuna sauce packed with cream, onions, and herbs, served over your favorite cooked pasta.
- Total Time: This easy weeknight meal comes together in just 20 minutes from start to finish.
- How It’s Made: The flavorful base simmers in the Thermomix® before gently folding in the flaked tuna at the end.
Super quick, easy, and so delicious: Creamy Tomato Tuna Pasta Sauce!
It’s perfect for those busy weeknights when you need dinner on the table fast, but still want something comforting and homemade.
This sauce comes together in just 20 minutes, and chances are you already have most of the pantry staples on hand!
In this simple recipe, complete with easy step-by-step instructions, I’ll show you just how effortless it is to whip up this delicious tuna pasta right at home.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
- Super quick and easy—totally family-approved!
- The sauce comes together in just 20 minutes using basic pantry staples you probably already have on hand.
- Super versatile—you can easily swap in canned salmon or sardines to mix things up.
- A guaranteed hit with the kids!
- Great for meal prep! It stores well in the fridge and makes a delicious leftover lunch the next day.
- The ultimate comfort food—serve it over pasta, rice, or even baked potatoes!
My Top Tips for Success
Tomato paste is key here—it gives the sauce a gorgeous rich color and a deep, savory flavor.
Feel free to customize the herbs! Italian seasonings like oregano, basil, marjoram, or thyme work amazingly well.
Want an extra creamy sauce? Swap the heavy cream for sour cream or crème fraîche.
Opt for canned tuna packed in water rather than oil so your sauce doesn’t end up feeling too greasy.
Don’t hesitate to switch up the protein—canned salmon or sardines taste fantastic in this recipe, too!
Can You Make This Ahead of Time?
Yes! This tuna tomato sauce is fantastic for meal prep and stores beautifully. Just keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
You can also freeze the sauce for later—it will stay delicious in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Delicious Variations to Try
This tuna tomato pasta sauce is super versatile, so feel free to tweak it based on what you have in your pantry! Here are a few fun ideas:
Swap the fish: Not feeling tuna? You can easily swap in canned salmon or sardines instead.
Add extra veggies: Pack in some extra nutrients by stirring in diced bell peppers, zucchini, or sliced mushrooms.
Toss in olives: Mix in a handful of chopped olives for a bright, Mediterranean flare.
Ingredients You’ll Need for Tuna Tomato Pasta Sauce
For the Tuna Tomato Sauce:
- 1 small red onion
- 2 garlic cloves
- 20 g (approx. 0.5 oz) cooking oil (like olive oil)
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 package tomato purée or passata (500 g (approx. 17.5 oz) / 17.6 oz)
- 50 g (approx. 2 oz) tomato paste
- 2 tsp vegetable bouillon powder or paste
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried marjoram
- 1 tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 2 tsp lemon juice
- ⅔ cup heavy cream (approx. 150 g (approx. 5.5 oz))
- 1 can tuna in water, drained (about 5 oz / 150 g (approx. 5.5 oz))
For Serving:
- 14 oz spaghetti or pasta of choice
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Note: You will find the exact quantities and step-by-step instructions below in the recipe card, which you can also print or save as a PDF file.
How to Make Creamy Tuna Tomato Pasta Sauce
Instructions:
Cook the pasta al dente in a large pot of generously salted water according to the package directions.
In the meantime, peel and quarter the onion, and peel the garlic cloves.
Add both to the mixing bowl and chop 5 sec / speed 6. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with the spatula.
Add the olive oil and sauté 3 min / 120°C (250°F) / speed 1.
Add the tomato puree (passata), tomato paste, and seasonings, then cook 5 min / 98°C (210°F) / speed 1.
Pour in the heavy cream and cook for another 3 min / 98°C (210°F) / speed 2.
Finally, flake the tuna with your hands and add it to the sauce. Stir everything together with your spatula and let it sit for about 2 minutes to let the flavors meld.
Drain the cooked pasta and serve it with the sauce. Feel free to garnish with a bit of fresh parsley and a generous sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese!
Enjoy!
Note: You will find the exact quantities and step-by-step instructions below in the recipe card, which you can also print or save as a PDF file.
By the way, the prep times listed are just averages. Everyone cooks at their own pace, and sometimes things take a bit longer or shorter than expected.
I hope you love making this!
If you enjoyed this quick recipe for Tuna Tomato Pasta Sauce, you might also love my delicious Varoma® Meatballs in Tomato Sauce 🙂
Best, Christoph
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Tuna and tomato sauce for pasta
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Start cookingIngredients
For the tuna and tomato sauce:
- 1 small red onion
- 2 Garlic cloves
- 20 g Oil (approx. 0.5 oz)
- 1 tsp Sugar
- 1 Pack Strained tomatoes 500 g (approx. 17.5 oz)
- 50 g Tomato paste (approx. 2 oz)
- 2 tsp Vegetable broth
- 1 tsp Sugar
- 1 tsp Oregano Dried
- 1 tsp Marjoram Dried
- 1 tsp Salt
- ¼ tsp Pepper
- 2 tsp Lemon juice
- 150 g Cream (approx. 5.5 oz)
- 1 Can Tuna in its own juice Drained weight 150 g (approx. 5.5 oz)
In addition:
- 400 g Spaghetti or other pasta (approx. 14 oz)
- fresh parsley chopped
- Parmesan cheese grated (optional)
Instructions
- 400 g (approx. 14 oz) Spaghetti or other pastaCook the pasta according to the packet instructions in plenty of salted water until al dente.
- 1 small red onion, 2 Garlic clovesIn the meantime, peel and quarter the onion and peel the garlic cloves. Put both into the mixing bowl and 5 sec. / Chop level 6. Anschließend mit dem Spatel nach unten schieben.
- 20 g (approx. 0.5 oz) OilThen add the oil and 3 min. / 120°C (250°F) / level 1 steam.
- 1 tsp Sugar, 1 Pack Strained tomatoes, 50 g (approx. 2 oz) Tomato paste, 2 tsp Vegetable broth, 1 tsp Sugar, 1 tsp Oregano, 1 tsp Marjoram, 1 tsp Salt, ¼ tsp Pepper, 2 tsp Lemon juiceThen add the strained tomatoes, tomato purée and spices and 5 min. / 98°C (210°F) / boil at level 1.
- 150 g (approx. 5.5 oz) CreamNow add the cream and continue 3 min. / 98°C (210°F) / level 2 cooking.
- 1 Can Tuna in its own juiceFinally, tear up the tuna with your hands, add to the sauce, stir in with a spatula and leave to stand for 2 minutes.
- fresh parsley, Parmesan cheeseDrain the cooked pasta and serve with the sauce. If you like, you can garnish the pasta with some fresh parsley and sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese.
- Enjoy your meal!
