This fast and easy pasta recipe is quick, spicy and delicious. Made with common pantry ingredients, the whole meal comes together in less than 15 minutes!

Summertime makes this Michigan gal very happy. Not only are the days getting longer (it stays light well past 9 PM these days!) but the temps are finally starting to warm up. In our family, that means mealtime can head outdoors once again.

And if you have small toddlers like I do, you know how miraculous it is to keep the mess of mealtime outside! Beyond that, everyone is just happier outdoors with the warm sun and fresh air. It’s a fact. Ok, the frequent ice cream treats don’t hurt either.

With the summer entertaining and picnic season officially kicking off, I’ve paired up with Genova to create a fast, easy and affordable picnic-ready pasta recipe. After all, having friends and family over for a meal shouldn’t be fussy this time of year.

If you’re not familiar with Genova, I encourage you to grab a few friends and host your very own Home Tasting Party. After all, tasting it believing – right? Unlike the tuna you likely grew up eating, Genova tuna is packed in olive oil which lends itself to a more rich, luscious and velvety flavor profile.

By combining a few high flavor pantry samples like briny capers, kalamata olives and tuna packed in olive oil, you are less than 15 minutes from a pasta dish that can be served warm, room temperature or chilled. Genova offers both Yellowfin and Albacore Tuna packed in olive oil and either would work for this recipe.
Save even more time by making a batch ahead of time for enjoying throughout the week at lunch or for hosting last-minute house guests. Add a green salad, crusty bread and a bottle of vino and you’re in business.
Your fork is waiting.

Spicy Tuna Pasta Puttanesca
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons anchovy paste
- ½ teaspoon crushed red chili flakes
- 3 cloves garlic grated
- 2 tablespoons capers drained
- 15 pitted kalamata olives sliced
- 2 5- ounce cans Genova yellowfin tuna packed in olive oil
- 8 ounces whole wheat spaghetti prepared according to package instructions reserving ¼ cup of the starchy cooking liquid
- ¼ cup minced Italian parsley
- salt and pepper to taste
- parmesan cheese to serve
Instructions
- Pre-heat a large, 2-inch skillet over medium high heat and drizzle with olive oil. Add anchovy paste and chili flakes to the hot pan and stir to release flavors, about 60 seconds.
- Stir in garlic and heat until fragrant, about 30 seconds, before stirring in the sliced kalamata olives and capers.
- Remove pan from heat and toss in tuna and warm, cooked pasta along with reserved starchy cooking liquid.
- Add minced parsley and toss once again before checking for seasoning. Adjust accordingly with salt or pepper as needed.
- Serve with parmesan cheese.
Nutrition

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Ofoedu
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Chris Pierson
Where are the capers?
Liz DellaCroce
Oops! Just revised the recipe sorry about that!
tom
And where are the tomatoes? They are the main ingedient of putanesca!
Liz DellaCroce
You can add them! :)
Aggie
That is my favorite tuna!! I want this pasta now :)
Liz DellaCroce
It is the BEST tuna!!!!
Cookin Canuck
We make puttanesca pasta A LOT, but I’ve never added tuna to it. Doing this next time! I love the adorable picture of your boys with their cousins…memories to treasure.
fabiola@notjustbaked
I love tuna in pasta like this! My husband made me a tuna pasta for the first meal he fed me eight years ago. I was like… hmm that is weird. But I love tuna, so it’s no surprise I loved the dish he made me! So I know I’d like this!
Liz DellaCroce
No way! That is so cute!!
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts
Spicy and pasta has my name all over it! Looks like the perfect summer dinner.
Liz DellaCroce
I am on such a spicy food kick lately!!
Matt
Love how easy this is to make! Great for those busy nights
Liz DellaCroce
I love easy recipes!
Marina @ A Dancer's Live-It
Never thought of tuna with puttanesca sauce! Love this idea! :) Also, ice cream treats are ALWAYS a thing during the summer ;)
Liz DellaCroce
I am on such a tuna kick lately – it’s always in my pantry and pure protein!! Ice cream is always the answer. ;)