Casarecce Pantry Pasta with Oil-Packed Tuna and Spicy Garlic Breadcrumbs

a white bowl with pasta surrounded by a glass of water, a bowl of breadcrumbs, a can of tuna and a small dish of chili flakes

5 from 2 votes

Casarecce Pantry Pasta with Oil-Packed Tuna and Spicy Garlic Breadcrumbs

This quick and easy pantry pasta is made with olive oil-packed tuna, tangy lemon juice, fresh parsley and crispy panko breadcrumbs toasted with garlic and crushed red pepper flakes. Toss it all together with perfectly al dente Casarecce pasta and you'll have a delicious dinner on the table in under 30 minutes.

Prep Time5

Cook Time20

Course: dinner, pasta

Cuisine: American

Servings:

Calories: 761kcal

Author: Leigh Anderson

Ingredients

Breadcrumbs

3 tbsp olive oil
1 c Panko breadcrumbs
1 large clove garlic grated
1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1 tbsp lemon zest
salt

Pasta

8 oz Casarecce pasta
1 4 oz can olive oil-packed tuna drained
4 tbsp butter
2 tbsp dijon mustard
3 tbsp lemon juice
1/4 c roughly chopped parsley

Instructions

Spicy Garlic Breadcrumbs

Add the olive oil to a large sauté pan and place it over medium heat. As soon as the oil begins to shimmer, toss in the Panko, garlic and a pinch of salt. Stir continuously until the breadcrumbs begin to turn golden brown then add in the crushed red chili flakes and continue stirring until everything is evenly brown and toasted. Transfer the panko to a bowl and stir in the lemon zest, taste and season with salt as needed. Set aside.

Pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook off the pasta. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
Add the butter, dijon mustard and 1/2 a cup of pasta water to a sauté pan over medium-high heat. Bring to a low simmer then add in the pasta and lemon juice. Simmer the pasta and sauce together, stirring ofter, about 5 minutes.
As soon as the sauce is thick enough to coat the pasta, turn off the heat and fold in the tuna and chopped parsley. Taste and season with more salt as needed. Divide between bowls and top with spicy garlic breadcrumbs!

Notes

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions:

Oil-Packed Tuna: If you need to substitute tuna in water try to purchase a higher-quality can, ideally something labeled as pole-caught. The brands American Tuna and Wild Planet are widely available and of good quality. Before you start cooking, drain off the water from the tuna and drizzle it with a few tablespoons of olive oil. Let it marinated for 5-10 minutes and absorb some of the oil before using.
Panko: Unseasoned Italian breadcrumbs will work or homemade if you have them.
Parsley: Chives would be good in addition to or instead of parsley.
Casarecce Pasta: any pasta is just fine!

Storing and Re-heating Leftovers:

Leftovers can be stored, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat over low heat in a saucepan or in the microwave. Add a few tablespoons of water to loosen up the sauce as needed.

Nutrition