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Home » Recipes » Seafood & Lake Fish Pasta Recipes

Published: Apr 28, 2025 by Jacqui

Garganelli Pasta with Tuna Bolognese Recipe.


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This super simple but yummy 3 ingredient pasta with tuna Bolognese recipe from Bologna is probably the easiest Italian canned tuna pasta recipe I know. However, despite its simplicity, it is registered as a traditional recipe from Emilia-Romagna with the Italian Academy of Cuisine (L’Accademia Italiana della Cucina).

Homemade garganelli pasta with tuna Bolognese.

Pasta con Tonno alla Bolognese.

The Italian Academy of cuisine was founded in 1953 to preserve the gastronomical heritage of Italy! Before a recipe is registered with the Academy a lot of historical research is done to discover its origins and ties to the area where it is considered traditional.

This research includes talking to restaurateurs and gastronomy experts. Food is a serious topic here in Italy! But, I guess rightly so as it’s such an important part of the country’s culture and traditions!

Italian pasta with tuna bolognese in white bowl.

Pasta with tuna alla Bolognese is a classic fast pasta dish made with canned tuna, tomatoes and onion. Interestingly, although some Italians think of it as ‘fast food’ for lazy singles, it actually became a traditional Bolognese dish as a result of historical events and post war changes in the Italian diet.

Ingredients for tuna Bolognese sauce, canned tuna in white bowl, peeled tomatoes in white bowl, sprigs of parsley and an onion.

The pasta.

At this point, I should mention that the traditional pasta for tuna Bolognese is spaghetti. In fact, in Bologna, this is spaghetti bolognese! The famous dish with a traditional meat-based sauce is known locally as pasta 'al ragu' and is made with tagliatelle not spaghetti! 

Homemade garganelli on white tray.

In this recipe, I used homemade garganelli pasta, also a traditional food product from Bologna registered at the Italian Academy of Cuisine! You can learn how to make this pasta on my garganelli with sausage post. This short egg pasta is often eaten with meat ragu in Emilia-Romagna, so I thought it would go really well with tuna Bolognese!

This time I made my own garganelli but I have also made this recipe with ready-made fresh garganelli. But, of course, you can use spaghetti or other pasta of your choice!

Prepared ingredients for tuna bolognese in white bowls.

A little tuna Bolognese history!

Apparently the first use of pasta with tuna in Emilia-Romagna dates back to the early post-war period. At that time, two fundamental things happened. Firstly, the spread and use of dried pasta, particularly spaghetti, in Northern Italy. Secondly, the marketing of tuna in oil as a result of the birth of a local canned tuna industry.

Sautèed onions and canned tuna in large skillet.

Both canned tuna and spaghetti were inexpensive, and combining them became an alternative recipe for what Italian call ‘lean days’ (giorni di magro). These are religious days of fasting, such as Good Friday or Christmas Eve, which call for abstinence from meat.

In fact, for the less wealthy classes in Bologna, spaghetti with tuna Bolognese became a special dish reserved for Christmas Eve dinner.

Canned peeled San Marzano tomatoes added to onion and tuna in large skillet.

Other versions of pasta with tuna.

When I made this garganelli with tuna Bolognese, my Sicilian hubby wanted to add other ingredients such as olives and capers! After all, pasta with tuna is made in other Italian regions too, especially in the South.

But, this is the official recipe from Bologna! The ingredients are typical of Bolognese eating habits! So no garlic, olives or capers! The only exceptions allowed are the addition of anchovies in the tuna sauce or parsley sprinkled at the end of the preparation of the dish.

Cooked homemade garganelli in skillet with tuna Bolognese sauce.

Ingredients.

Tomatoes: You can use fresh or tinned peeled tomatoes. I used ready peeled San Marzano tomatoes.

Tuna: Italians use tuna that is preserved in olive oil. That’s definitely best. I like to use the slightly more expensive tuna fillets. Like any simple recipe the better the quality of the ingredients, the better it tastes!

Onion: All you need is one yellow onion, peeled and finely chopped. In Bologna, they use a local variety of onion called Medicina. These onions have been cultivated on the Bolognese plain since the Middle Ages!

Parsley: Fresh chopped parsley adds a nice herby flavor to the tuna sauce. Dried parsley isn't recommended. However, parsley is optional as it's not included in the official recipe.

Garganelli pasta with tuna Bolognese in white bowl.

Step by Step instructions.

1) Put a pot of water on to boil for the pasta, add salt once it starts to boil and bring to the boil again!

2) Peel the onion and cut it into very thin slices and sauté in the olive oil until translucent.

3) Add the drained tuna broken into small pieces. Let it cook for just a minute with the onion over a medium heat.

4) Add the peeled tomatoes cut into pieces. Use a wooden spoon to mix the tomatoes and tuna together. Then, simmer over a low heat for about 25-30 minutes, until they are very soft. Add salt and pepper to taste.

5) Meanwhile, cook the pasta  al dente according to the instructions on the packet. When the pasta is ready, drain it and mix with the sauce. Serve immediately with a sprinkling of chopped fresh parsley if required.

What to do with leftovers.

You can keep leftover pasta with tuna Bolognese in a sealed container in the fridge for 2-3 days. Reheat the leftovers in the microwave, on on stove top or even in the oven.

Pin for later.

Verticle Pinterest image for 3 ingredient tuna Bolognese pasta.

Let me know what you think.

I think, garganelli pasta with tuna Bolognese is a dish that’s so great for ‘lazy’ days when you don’t feel like spending time in the kitchen. The 3 main ingredients are staples in most people’s larders so, you can whip this Italian recipe up in no time. Kids love it too!

If you do try this garganelli pasta with tuna Bolognese recipe, I’d love to hear what you think. Please write a comment here on the blog or post a comment on the Pasta Project Facebook page.

Your feedback means a lot to me!

Buon Appetito!

Homemade garganelli with tuna Bolognese in white bowl with fork.

Other canned tuna pasta recipes on The Pasta Project

  1. Spaghetti with tuna carbonara
  2. Elbow pasta with tuna and cannellini beans
  3. Pasta shells filled with tuna and ricotta
  4. Fusilli with black olive pesto and tuna
  5. Spaghetti with tuna, mint and capers 

Save this recipe for later.

If you want to save this recipe for later, you can print it, bookmark this page or save it to Pinterest.

Pasta with tuna Bolognese sauce.

Garganelli Pasta with Tuna Bolognese Recipe.

Jacqui
This simple but delicious 3 ingredient pasta with canned tuna and tomatoes is a traditional recipe from Bologna, Italy. Tuna Bolognese pasta is perfect for meatless days and when you don't feel like too many hours in the kitchen! Kids love it too!
5 from 30 votes
Print Recipe Save Recipe Saved! Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 25 minutes mins
Total Time 30 minutes mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine Emilia-Romagna, Italian, Northern Italy
Servings 4
Calories 641 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 14 ounces garganelli pasta or spaghetti
  • 13 ounces quality tuna in olive oil I used tuna fillets
  • 1 yellow onion or 2 large shallots
  • 14 ounces canned sauce tomatoes or (24 oz) fresh peeled tomatoes
  • salt for pasta and to taste
  • black pepper to taste
  • 2-3 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • fresh parsley optional

Instructions
 

  • Put a pot of water on to boil for the pasta, add salt once it starts to boil and bring to the boil again!
  • Peel and cut the onion into very thin slices and peel the fresh tomatoes (if using) by blanching in boiling water for a couple of minutes. Then remove the skins and cut into quarters. Wash and chop the parsley if using.
  • Sauté the onion in the olive oil until it becomes transparent. Add the drained tuna and cook for one minute.
  • Add the peeled tomatoes. Mix everything together and cook covered over a low heat for about 25 minutes, until the tomatoes are very soft. Stir occasionally to prevent the sauce from sticking and burning. Add salt and pepper to taste.
  • Meanwhile, cook the pasta al dente according to the instructions on the packet. If the tuna and tomato sauce seems dry, add some of the pasta cooking water just before the pasta is ready.
  • When the pasta is ready, drain it and mix with the sauce. Serve immediately with a sprinkling of chopped fresh parsley if required.
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Notes

This recipe is traditionally made with spaghetti. You can also use other pasta of your choice. If you want to make your own garganelli pasta check out my recipe for homemade garganelli with sausage ragu.
If you like them add some anchovies when cooking the onions for extra umami flavour.

Nutrition

Calories: 641kcalCarbohydrates: 81gProtein: 41gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 17mgSodium: 533mgPotassium: 644mgFiber: 5gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 272IUVitamin C: 13mgCalcium: 71mgIron: 4mg
Keyword garganelli, Italian recipe, pasta, quick and easy recipe, spaghetti, tomato sauce, tuna
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

More Seafood & Lake Fish Pasta Recipes

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    La Calamarata (Calamari Pasta) Recipe
  • Anchovies pasta recipes.
    16 Pasta with Anchovies Recipes
  • Paccheri with Calamari from Naples.
    Paccheri Pasta with Calamari (squid) and Potatoes

Reader Interactions

Comments

    5 from 30 votes

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Sandra Lizioli says

    May 03, 2025 at 8:56 pm

    It was delicious and super easy to make! Loved it! I added a garlic clove and a few capers.

    Reply
    • Jacqui says

      May 04, 2025 at 10:51 am

      So glad you enjoyed this tuna pasta Sandra! Definitely super easy and delicious!

      Reply
  2. Image Earth Travel says

    May 05, 2020 at 11:26 am

    Will definitely try this version - looks easy and delicious!

    Reply
  3. Ramona says

    March 25, 2020 at 11:27 pm

    I have made this pasta for dinner yesterday and wow! Loved it so much and my whole family loved it. Will be making this again and again - yumm! I will try it with makerel too, do you think it will work?
    Thank you for sharing this wonderful pasta dish - made my kids super happy 😉

    Reply
  4. April says

    March 24, 2020 at 6:53 pm

    I always look forward to seeing your recipes. This recipe is so different than what I'm used to, but I would love to try it out, so I'm saving it for later! Thank you for another inspiring recipe!

    Reply
  5. Jacque Hastert says

    March 23, 2020 at 6:12 pm

    I love the use of tuna in this authentic pasta dish! I can't wait to make this dinner next week.

    Reply
  6. Alexis says

    March 23, 2020 at 4:12 pm

    Yet another delicious dish from you, this one is amazing. I've used a few different pasta types and it is always delicious.

    Reply
  7. Relle says

    March 22, 2020 at 12:53 am

    I love me a good pasta. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  8. Lathiya says

    March 21, 2020 at 11:07 pm

    FAbulous recipe share at the perfect timing. The Tuna bolognese sounds great and yummy

    Reply
  9. Sivaranjani says

    March 21, 2020 at 4:10 pm

    i love making dishes with Tuna. This recipe with pasta looks super delicious and tempting me to make ASAP 🙂

    Reply
  10. Jere Cassidy says

    March 19, 2020 at 3:05 am

    As always your pasta dishes look amazing. I so appreciate what the Italian Academy of cuisine has done to keep the Italian heritage of its food.

    Reply
  11. Nart | Cooking with Nart says

    March 18, 2020 at 3:53 pm

    Looks delicious and perfect timing since we can stock up on canned tuna!!

    Reply
  12. Stine Mari says

    March 18, 2020 at 2:10 pm

    This tuna pasta dish is so simple and still packing with flavors, I love it! And it's always interesting to read the origin and history of your recipes!

    Reply
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Trackbacks

  1. Healthy Pantry Staple Recipes - Frugal Patti says:
    May 7, 2020 at 10:23 pm

    […] Garganelli Pasta with Tuna Bolognese from The Pasta Project – This super simple but yummy 3 ingredient pasta with tuna recipe from Bologna is probably the easiest Italian pasta recipe I know. It can be made with just 3 pantry staples, canned tuna, tinned tomatoes, and an onion! […]

    Reply

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Buon giorno and welcome to my pasta project! My name is Jacqui. I’m originally a Londoner but in 2003 life’s journey brought me to the beautiful Veneto region of Italy where…

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