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).
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!
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.
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!
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
Other canned tuna pasta recipes on The Pasta Project
- Spaghetti with tuna carbonara
- Elbow pasta with tuna and cannellini beans
- Pasta shells filled with tuna and ricotta
- Fusilli with black olive pesto and tuna
- Spaghetti with tuna, mint and capers
Save this recipe for later.
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Garganelli Pasta with Tuna Bolognese Recipe.
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.
Felicia Austin says
I always love reading your recipes because I learn something new each and every time! This recipe sounds so easy to make and looks really delicious! We are a big fan of canned tuna in our house so we will be trying this real soon.
Saif says
What an amazing pasta dish. The tuna pasta looks very delicious. I will love to make this in my kitchen
Colleen says
I love this recipe. So simple to make, with pantry staples, and so delicious, too. Thank you!
Liz says
Oh that looks amazing. Great pics
Lesli Schwartz says
This looks incredibly delicious! I love the idea of using canned tuna in this pasta dish. Need this recipe in my life!
Rochelle says
I love the idea of this dish. I never would've thought to replace the meat with tuna. I am not a meat eater, so I am super excited for this recipe. Thanks for sharing
Marta says
I had no clue that traditional bolognese was made with tagliatelle!
Marlynn | Urban Bliss Life says
Love this tuna twist on classic bolognese. Simple yet so elegant and flavorful!
Jacqui says
Thank you Marlynn! We love this tuna Bolognese too! Such a great recipe for when you don't have a lot of time to spend in the kitchen!
kim says
Love this recipe! Such delicious flavor!
Jacqui says
Thanks Kim, yes this tuna pasta is really delicious!
Vicky says
You know, I love tuna, but for some reason have never thought to combine it with pasta and sauce. I like the idea of using tuna as another protein source that can go with pasta.
Jacqui says
Tuna is a popular pasta condiment here in Italy, Vicky! I'm sure you'll love it if you try it!
Brian Jones says
I've never heard of this but it sounds amazing... I came across a chef once cooking a sardine bolognese which sounded and looked outstanding. I must try this!
Jacqui says
Sardine Bolognese sounds interesting, Brian. I have to find a recipe for that. Although I imagine it's quite similar to this tuna Bolognese! Am sure you'll really enjoy this dish!
Fiorenza says
Being Italian, I really have to say ' una perfetta Pasta con tonno alla Bolognese'. Garganelli are the perfect pasta along with this sauce, an excellent recipe and I liked the history about it. Complimenti!
Jacqui says
Grazie di cuore cara Fiorenza! I think garganelli are perfect with this tuna Bolognese too!
Chef Mireille says
Your posts are always full of so much history - I read every last word! How interesting to know that ragu is traditionally made with tagliatelle in the region. and this tuna bolognese is definitely one I want to try!
Jacqui says
Thanks so much for your comment Mireille! I'm thrilled you like the fact I include some history in my posts! I love food history and you obviously do too!
Luci’s Morsels says
Tuna pasta is something so don’t make nearly enough and so absolutely need to! I love how easy this one looks. And I LOVE all the food history!!
Jacqui says
Tuna pasta is a great go-to dish when you don't have much time for cooking Luci! And there are many different recipes for it so you don't have to make the same dish each time! Happy you like the food history!
Pam Greer says
I have had pasta bolognese before, but never tuna bolognese! I love how easy this is and so delicious!
Jacqui says
Thank you Pam, I'm sure you'll love this version of Bolognese if you try it! Yes, very easy and delicious!
Adrianne says
Tuna Bolognese, I like the sound of that!! This definitely sounds like a lighter pasta dish than a heavy meat one and that is right up my alley. Thanks for sharing.
Jacqui says
Thanks Adrianne! This is definitely lighter than a meat sauce! Great for quick meals and warm weather eating!
Lisa says
Wow, tuna bolognese, never would have thought of this but it sounds delicious!
Jacqui says
Tuna Bolognese is a great go-to dish for a simple and quick meal Lisa. It's popular here in Italy and I'm sure you'd enjoy it too!
Dannii says
I have never heard of tuna bolognese before, but it sounds great and something different for us to try for a change.
Jacqui says
Thank you Dannii! My motto for this blog is 'change your pasta life!' I hope you'll try this and other recipes here and enjoy making pasta in different ways for a change!
Beth Neels says
This pasta looks amazing! I love anything with seafood! I love the simplicity of this dish, as well! So easy and tasty, I can't wait to make it!
Jacqui says
Thanks so much Beth! Yes this tuna Bolognese is such a simple dish. But simple doesn't mean bland. It's full of flavour and I'm sure you'll love it!
Ramona says
OMG this tuna bolognese looks divine, and that pasta!!! I wish I could find all these types of pasta over here. I must look for these garganelli ones, they look so good, my kids would love them. Gorgeous. Recipe saved!
Jacqui says
Garganelli is a fabulous pasta Ramona. If you can't buy it maybe you can make it yourself! Happy you like this recipe! I'm sure your kids would love it!