Farfalle With Tuna In A Basil Lemon Dressing Recipe

This vibrant summer pasta salad is ready in 20 minutes! A quick, delicious, and endlessly customizable recipe. Inspired by a beloved (now closed) Los Gatos deli, this farfalle pasta dish bursts with fresh basil, bright lemon, and succulent tuna. Add roasted red peppers, capers, peas, or toasted pine nuts for extra crunch and flavor. The perfect weeknight lifesaver when you're craving a light yet satisfying meal.

Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 20 mins
Calories 806 kcal
Protein 75g
Rating 4.3 (3 Reviews)
Farfalle With Tuna In A Basil Lemon Dressing 21

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Recipe Author

Chef Forktionary, author of this recipe

Recipe adapted from Food.com. Standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Farfalle With Tuna In A Basil Lemon Dressing

  • 8 ounces farfalle pasta
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1 lemon
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
  • 5 ounces albacore tuna in water, drained
  • 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1-2 tablespoons pasta cooking water (optional)
  • red pepper flakes (optional)

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How to Make Farfalle With Tuna In A Basil Lemon Dressing

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of farfalle pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente.
  2. While pasta cooks, mince 2 cloves of garlic.
  3. Zest 1 lemon to obtain 1 tablespoon of lemon zest.
  4. Juice the lemon to yield 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice.
  5. Thinly slice 1/2 cup of fresh basil leaves.
  6. In a large bowl, whisk together the minced garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, 5 ounces of tuna (drained), and sliced basil. Gently break up the tuna with a fork.
  7. Add 1/2 cup of cherry tomatoes (halved) to the bowl.
  8. Once pasta is cooked, drain it well and add it to the bowl with the tuna mixture.
  9. Toss gently to combine. If the pasta seems dry, add 1-2 tablespoons of pasta cooking water or more olive oil to achieve desired consistency.
  10. Serve warm or at room temperature. Garnish with extra basil and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes (optional).

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

14 g

Sugar

16g

Fat

24g

Carbs

31g