Tuna and Artichoke Pasta

Tuna and Artichoke Pasta

Mia

This Tuna and Artichoke Pasta is a celebration of Mediterranean flavors that comes together in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknight dinners. Inspired by the coastal cuisines of Italy and Greece, this dish combines the briny richness of quality tuna with tender marinated artichoke hearts, creating a symphony of textures and tastes that transport you straight to the sun-drenched shores of the Mediterranean.

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and nutritional powerhouse status. Tuna provides an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, which support heart and brain health, while artichokes deliver fiber, antioxidants, and a subtle earthy sweetness that perfectly complements the fish. Garlic, lemon, and fresh herbs brighten the dish, while a generous drizzle of extra virgin olive oil ties everything together with its fruity, peppery notes.

What makes this pasta truly special is its versatility and ease of preparation. Using pantry staples like canned tuna and jarred artichokes means you can whip up this restaurant-quality meal without a trip to the grocery store. The pasta water creates a silky sauce that clings to every strand, while cherry tomatoes add bursts of sweetness and vibrant color. Whether you're cooking for yourself or entertaining guests, this dish delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort.

This recipe embodies the core principles of the Mediterranean Diet: whole grains, healthy fats, lean protein, and plenty of vegetables. It's not just quick and easy—it's a delicious way to nourish your body while enjoying the timeless flavors that have sustained Mediterranean communities for centuries.

Nutrition

30 minutes
None servings
445 calories
Fat 14.00g
Carbs 52.00g
Protein 28.00g

Ingredients

12 ozwhole wheat pasta, penne or fusilli
3 tbspextra virgin olive oil
4 clovesgarlic, minced
1 cupcherry tomatoes, halved
14 ozmarinated artichoke hearts, drained and quartered
10 ozcanned tuna in olive oil, drained
2 tbspfresh lemon juice
1 tsplemon zest
1/4 tspred pepper flakes
1/4 cupfresh parsley, chopped
2 tbspfresh basil, chopped (optional)
2 tbspcapers, drained (optional)
1 tspsalt
1/2 tspblack pepper, freshly ground

Equipment

Large pot
Wooden spoon
Cutting board
measuring spoons
measuring cups
chef's knife
zester or microplane
garlic press
large skillet
colander

16:8 Diet

This balanced meal is ideal for the 16:8 eating window, providing sustained energy from complex carbohydrates, omega-3-rich protein from tuna, healthy fats from olive oil, and fiber from whole wheat pasta and vegetables to maintain satiety between eating periods.

80/20 Diet

This recipe exemplifies the 80/20 approach with the majority of ingredients being nutrient-dense whole foods (whole wheat pasta, tuna, artichokes, tomatoes, fresh herbs, olive oil) that provide anti-inflammatory benefits, fiber, omega-3s, and essential nutrients without heavily processed components.

Anti-Inflammatory Diet

This recipe is rich in anti-inflammatory ingredients including omega-3 fatty acids from tuna, extra virgin olive oil, antioxidant-packed vegetables (artichokes, tomatoes), fresh herbs, and whole grains. It avoids processed foods, refined carbohydrates, and inflammatory ingredients while emphasizing foods that reduce inflammation.

Clean Eating

This recipe is a clean eating winner, using only whole, minimally processed ingredients in their natural state: whole wheat pasta, fresh vegetables, canned tuna in olive oil, fresh herbs, and simple seasonings. It contains no refined sugars, artificial additives, or processed ingredients.

Flexitarian Diet

This pasta dish is perfect for flexitarian eating with its plant-forward approach featuring whole wheat pasta, artichokes, tomatoes, and fresh herbs, while including fish (tuna) as a supporting protein source rather than the main focus, embodying the primarily plant-based philosophy.

Heart-Healthy Diet

This recipe is exceptionally heart-healthy, featuring omega-3-rich tuna for cardiovascular protection, whole grains for fiber, extra virgin olive oil for healthy monounsaturated fats, and antioxidant-rich vegetables. It's naturally low in saturated fat and contains no trans fats or processed ingredients.

High-Protein Diet

This pasta dish delivers substantial protein from tuna (approximately 25-30g per serving), making it excellent for high-protein diets while also providing complex carbohydrates from whole wheat pasta and nutrients from vegetables, creating a balanced, protein-forward meal.

Intermittent Fasting

This nutrient-dense pasta dish is ideal for eating windows during intermittent fasting, providing sustained energy from whole grains, omega-3-rich tuna for satiety, fiber from vegetables, and healthy fats from olive oil to help maintain stable blood sugar levels throughout fasting periods.

Intuitive Eating

This satisfying pasta dish honors intuitive eating principles by providing both nourishment and pleasure through flavorful Mediterranean ingredients, balanced macronutrients, and adequate portions that respect hunger and fullness cues without restriction or guilt.

Mayo Clinic Diet

This dish exemplifies Mayo Clinic Diet principles with abundant vegetables (artichokes, tomatoes), whole grains (whole wheat pasta), lean protein (tuna), and healthy fats from olive oil. It emphasizes nutrient-dense whole foods while avoiding processed ingredients and excessive saturated fats.

Mediterranean Diet

This recipe is a quintessential Mediterranean dish that emphasizes extra virgin olive oil, whole wheat pasta, fish (tuna), vegetables (artichokes, tomatoes), fresh herbs (parsley, basil), and lemon. It avoids processed ingredients and red meat while showcasing the healthy fats, lean protein, and plant-based foods that form the foundation of Mediterranean eating.

MIND Diet

This recipe supports brain health with MIND Diet staples including whole grains (whole wheat pasta), leafy herbs, vegetables, fish rich in omega-3s, olive oil as the primary fat, and beans/legumes. It avoids butter, red meat, cheese, and fried foods while emphasizing neuroprotective ingredients.

Mindful Eating

This recipe supports mindful eating with its variety of textures (tender pasta, firm artichokes, juicy tomatoes), vibrant colors, aromatic herbs, and fresh lemon that engage multiple senses. The whole food ingredients encourage slow, conscious consumption and sensory appreciation.

Weight Watchers

This recipe aligns with Weight Watchers principles by featuring lean protein from tuna, whole wheat pasta in controlled portions, abundant non-starchy vegetables, and minimal added fats. The focus on whole, unprocessed ingredients and nutrient density supports weight management goals.

Instructions

1
8 min

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add 1 teaspoon of salt to the water.

2

While waiting for the water to boil, mince the garlic, halve the cherry tomatoes, quarter the artichoke hearts, and chop the fresh parsley and basil.

5 min
3
11 min

Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook according to package directions until al dente, about 10-12 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water before draining.

4
2 min

While the pasta cooks, heat 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

5
1 min

Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes to the skillet and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute, stirring constantly to prevent burning.

6
4 min

Add the halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet and cook until they begin to soften and release their juices, about 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally.

7
2 min

Add the quartered artichoke hearts to the skillet and cook for 2 minutes, stirring gently to combine with the tomatoes.

8
2 min

Break the drained tuna into large chunks and add it to the skillet along with the capers if using. Stir gently to avoid breaking up the tuna too much, and cook for 1-2 minutes until heated through.

9

Drain the cooked pasta and add it directly to the skillet with the tuna mixture. Add the lemon juice, lemon zest, and 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water.

10

Toss everything together over low heat for 1-2 minutes, adding more pasta water as needed to create a light sauce that coats the pasta. The starch from the pasta water will help emulsify the sauce.

2 min
11

Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the chopped parsley and basil. Season with black pepper and additional salt if needed, tasting and adjusting seasonings.

12

Divide the pasta among serving bowls and drizzle with a bit of extra virgin olive oil if desired. Serve immediately while hot.

Frequently Asked Questions