Tuna Primavera with Pasta

Creamy, vibrant, and packed with protein, this Tuna Primavera with Pasta is a quick and wholesome dinner that brings together the best of fresh vegetables and pantry staples. Featuring tender pasta swirled in a luscious Parmesan cream sauce, this dish is studded with zucchini, cherry tomatoes, red bell peppers, and sweet peas for a pop of color and flavor. Canned tuna adds a satisfying, savory depth, while hints of garlic, lemon zest, and optional red pepper flakes bring a zesty touch. Perfect for busy weeknights, this 35-minute meal pairs gourmet flavors with easy preparation. Serve it warm, topped with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan for a restaurant-worthy finish that will have everyone asking for seconds. Keywords: Tuna Primavera, creamy pasta recipe, quick dinner ideas, easy weeknight meals, vegetable and tuna pasta.

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 12 oz pasta (penne or fusilli recommended)
• 2 5 oz cans canned tuna in olive oil
• 1 medium zucchini, sliced into half-moons
• 1.5 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 medium red bell pepper, finely sliced
• 0.75 cup frozen peas
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 0.5 cup heavy cream
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 0 to taste salt
• 0 to taste black pepper
• 0.25 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta cooking water, then drain and set the pasta aside.

Step 2

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 3

Add the zucchini, red bell pepper, and cherry tomatoes to the skillet. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until the vegetables start to soften.

Step 4

Stir in the frozen peas, and cook for another 2-3 minutes until the peas are heated through.

Step 5

Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream. Sprinkle in the Parmesan cheese and stir until the sauce begins to thicken, about 2-3 minutes.

Step 6

Gently fold in the canned tuna, breaking it apart into chunks with a spoon. Add the lemon zest, half of the chopped parsley, and season with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using).

Step 7

Toss the cooked pasta into the skillet with the sauce and vegetables. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it.

Step 8

Serve warm, garnished with the remaining chopped parsley and additional Parmesan cheese if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1529.1 grams (1529.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2156

Total Fat 119.30g	153%
Saturated Fat 43.00g	215%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.70g
Cholesterol 302mg	101%
Sodium 3978mg	173%
Total Carbohydrate 152.10g	55%
Dietary Fiber 21.40g	76%
Total Sugars 26.90g
Protein 111.70g	223%

Vitamin D 568IU	2840%
Calcium 636mg	49%
Iron 11mg	60%
Potassium 2656mg	57%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 50.4%

Protein: 21.0%

Carbs: 28.6%