Prep: 5 minutes | Cook: 10 minutes | Total: 15 minutes | Serves: 3–4
Best For: Weeknight dinners, uni meals, budget cooking

A Quick Pantry Meal Everyone Loves

This 15-Minute Tuna Pasta is the perfect solution for busy nights or tight budgets. Made with everyday pantry ingredients, it comes together fast but still delivers cosy, comforting flavour. Creamy, garlicky, and satisfying, it’s the kind of recipe you’ll return to again and again.

It’s simple enough for beginners, affordable for families, and delicious enough for anyone who wants a quick meal without the fuss. It’s comfort food at its easiest.

Ingredients for 15-Minute Tuna Pasta

• 300g pasta (any shape)

• 1–2 tbsp oil or butter

• 3–4 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 small onion, finely diced (optional)

• 1 can tuna in springwater or oil, drained

• 1 cup thickened cream or milk

• ½ cup pasta water (as needed)

• Salt and pepper, to taste

Optional:

• Lemon juice or zest

• Parmesan cheese

• Frozen peas or spinach

• Chilli flakes

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Cook the pasta. Boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Reserve some pasta water before draining.

2. Sauté garlic. Heat oil or butter in a large pan. Add garlic (and onion if using) and cook until fragrant.

3. Add tuna. Stir in the tuna and break it into small flakes.

4. Add cream. Pour in the cream and stir. Use pasta water to thin the sauce if needed.

5. Season. Add salt, pepper, and optional lemon or chilli.

6. Combine. Toss the cooked pasta through the sauce until evenly coated.

7. Serve. Top with parmesan or extra seasoning if desired.

Helpful Tips

• Keep canned tuna, pasta, and cream on hand for last-minute meals.

• Add veggies like peas or spinach for extra colour and nutrition.

• Pasta water helps create a silky, restaurant-style sauce.

• Lemon brightens the flavour if the dish feels too rich.

Why This Recipe Works

• Ready in just 15 minutes.

• Made entirely from pantry staples.

• Creamy, comforting, and versatile.

• Budget-friendly meal suitable for all ages.

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• Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta

• Easy One-Pot Garlic Parmesan Pasta

• Easy One-Pan Creamy Tuscan Chicken