Five Delicious and Easy Recipes Starring Tuna

Tuna is a pantry staple for a reason: it's affordable, versatile, and packed with protein. But beyond the classic tuna salad sandwich, there's a world of flavor waiting to be explored. Here are 5 delicious and easy recipes to inspire your next tuna-based meal.

TUNA AND HUMMUS CROSTINI

Crostini are small slices of toasted bread which in this case are topped with tuna and hummus. It’s a tasty appetizer!

Ingredients for 4 servings:

• 2 cans (160 gr each) tuna in olive oil
• 200 gr Cooked chickpeas
• 2 cloves Garlic
• 2 tablespoons Tahini (sesame paste)
• Salt
• Sliced rustic bread
• Parsley

Instructions:

1. In a food processor, combine the chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, garlic cloves, and salt. Blend on low speed, adding a little cold water as needed, until smooth and thick.
2. Toast the bread slices on a grill or under the oven broiler.
3. Spread the hummus on the toasted bread slices.
4. Flake the tuna over the hummus and garnish with parsley sprigs.

PACCHERI RIPIENI ALLA MEDITERRANEA WITH TUNA, DRIED TOMATOES, CAPERS AND OLIVES

This light first course features a unique and easy-to-make filling of chopped tuna, olives, capers, and dried tomatoes encased in perfectly cooked paccheri pasta.

Ingredients for 4 servings:

• 300 g paccheri pasta

For the filling:

• 200 g fresh ricotta
• 1 can (250 g) tuna in olive oil
• 1 tablespoon salted capers
• 8 dried tomatoes, packed in oil
• 1 handful pitted black olives
• 1 pinch salt

For the sauce:

• 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 pinch chili pepper (optional)
• 20 Pachino tomatoes
• Parsley to taste
• Olives and capers

Instructions:

1. Cook the paccheri pasta in abundant boiling salted water.
2. Drain them al dente, run them under cold water, and dress them with extra virgin olive oil.
3. Finely chop the tuna, olives, dried tomatoes, and capers.
4. Add the ricotta and a pinch of salt, if desired. Mix well and fill a pastry bag.
5. Fill the paccheri pasta with the “Mediterranean filling” (tuna and olive filling) and arrange them on a baking sheet.
6. In a large pan, heat the olive oil, garlic, and chili pepper (optional). Let it flavor, then remove the garlic.
7. Add the cherry tomatoes, cut into wedges, and sauté until the oil absorbs their flavor.
8. Lower the heat and sauté the paccheri in batches to prevent the filling from coming out.
9. Serve with chopped parsley and a sprinkle of olives and capers.

SAVORY PANCAKES WITH ZUCCHINI AND TUNA

Savory pancakes with zucchini and tuna are the perfect recipe for a relaxed brunch, ideal with a healthy and light smoothie or a fresh salad. They are prepared in a few minutes and are a truly delicious dish.

Ingredients for 4 people:

• 2 eggs
• 8 oz flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 small zucchini
• 4 oz tuna fillets
• 1 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream
• 2 oz Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, flour, and Parmesan cheese.
2. Gradually add the milk, whisking constantly to prevent lumps.
3. Stir in the oil and heavy cream.
4. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Grate the zucchini finely, crumble the tuna, and add to the batter. Mix well.
6. Brush a nonstick skillet with a little oil and pour in a small ladle of batter.
7. Cook for a couple of minutes per side until golden brown.
8. Serve the savory pancakes with sour cream, if desired.

PUTTANESCA LINGUINE WITH TUNA FILLETS

Ingredients for 4 servings:

• 2 x 250 gr Tuna Fillets in Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 100 gr Piccadilly cherry tomatoes
• 350 gr Linguine
• 100 gr Black olives
• 50 gr Salted capers
• 1 clove Garlic
• 1 small Chili pepper
• Tomato paste
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Fresh parsley
• Salt

Instructions:

1. In a saucepan, heat 4 tablespoons of olive oil over low heat. Add the peeled and finely chopped garlic and the chopped chili pepper. Cook until softened, but not browned.
2. Add the washed, dried, and chopped cherry tomatoes.
3. Stir in the tomato paste and season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Soak the capers in water to desalt them, then drain and add them to the tomatoes along with the olives and 2 teaspoons of tomato paste.
5. Add the tuna fillets (reserving a few for garnish) and season with finely chopped parsley.
6. Meanwhile, cook the linguine in salted water until al dente. Drain and toss with the sauce in the same pan over high heat for about 1 minute.
7. Serve immediately, garnished with additional tuna fillets, a drizzle of olive oil, and more parsley.

POKE BOWL WITH TUNA, AVOCADO, EDAMAME, CARROTS, AND CABBAGE

This Hawaiian-inspired tuna bowl is a delightful combination of textures and tastes, featuring marinated tuna alongside farro, avocado, edamame, and a refreshing mix of vegetables.

• ½ head cabbage
• 4.2 oz farro
• 2-3 carrots
• 2.8 oz edamame
• 1 avocado
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Salt to taste
• Lemon
• Soy sauce (optional)
• Tuna fillets

1. Clean the vegetables.
2. Thinly slice the cabbage and season with oil and salt to taste. You can add rice vinegar if desired.
3. Cut the carrots into julienne strips and season with lemon juice and salt.
4. Cook the edamame.
5. Cut the avocado into slices or small pieces and season with lemon and salt.
6. Cook the farro in abundant boiling salted water.
7. Drain it, season with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, mix and divide it between the bowls.
8. Compose your poke with the red cabbage, carrots, edamame, and avocado.
9. Complete with the tuna fillets and soy sauce to taste.

These are just a few ideas to get you started with using tuna in your kitchen. With its versatility and protein content, tuna is a perfect ingredient for countless delicious and easy meals. So, next time you have a can of tuna, don't be afraid to experiment and explore the diverse culinary possibilities it offers!