Italian

'No-Recipe' Italian Tuna Linguine

February 20, 2019
5
6 Ratings
  • Prep time 15 minutes
  • Cook time 10 minutes
  • Serves 4 generously
Author Notes

This 'no-recipe' recipe has been a favourite in our family for years. It was adapted many moons ago from a long lost Italian Cookbook, part of a series on cuisines from countries around the world. The combination of garlic, lemon and parsley is simple, but always always delicious. Chances are you have the ingredients for this delightful pasta dish already in the pantry, or soon will. Everytime we make it the quantities are slightly different depending on the "Chef", so feel free to adjust things to your taste - it will still be amazing. Every. Single. Time. —Carrie Earl Williams

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Ingredients
  • ½ bunches Italian Flat Leaf Parsley, minced
  • 2-3 Cloves of garlic - pressed, grated or minced
  • 3-4 Anchovy filets (packed in oil or dry packed)
  • 2 x 5 ounces Cans Genova Tuna, packed in olive oil
  • Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste
  • 1 Lemon, juiced and zested*
  • 3-4 tablespoons Capers, rinsed
  • 1 pound Linguine, or long pasta of choice, cooked al dente
  • ½ cups Reserved pasta water
Directions
  1. Toss the linguine in a large bowl with the olive oil from one or both of the cans of tuna to keep it from sticking while you prepare the "sauce".
  2. Mash the anchovies with the minced garlic and set aside. Mince the parsley; juice (and zest - if using) the lemon and add to the anchovy / garlic paste.
  3. Gently combine all the ingredients with the pasta, and season to taste with freshly ground salt and pepper.
  4. If necessary add a few tablespoons of reserved pasta water to moisten the pasta if it seems too dry.
  5. NOTE: when serving be sure and reach down to the bottom of the bowl to ensure everyone gets an ample share of the "sauce". Buona mangiata my friends!
  6. *lemon zest is optional, however it does add another nice note of brightness overall. If using wash the lemon skin first before zesting to get rid of any possible pesticide residue.
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4 Reviews

Jennifer E. February 23, 2019
Great midweek Dinner! Soul satisfying comfort food at its BEST!!!
Liza E. February 21, 2019
Family favorite!
Ingredients always on hand...tastes even better than you can imagine! Quick and delicious. Try it!
Quinn W. February 21, 2019
Delicious dish!
Caroline W. February 20, 2019
I love this pasta recipe and so does my entire family! I have used gluten-free brown rice pasta and have added fresh grated parmesan cheese. Funny thing is — I like to eat it slightly chilled and others in my family like to heat it up. Either way it is a delicious crowd pleaser!!!