This 15-minute tuna spaghetti is bursting with Mediterranean flavours-flaky tuna, briny capers, and a spicy chilli kick. Perfect for busy nights when you crave restaurant-quality pasta without the fuss!
Plus, it's packed with bold flavours and takes just minutes to prepare. Ideal for busy nights when you want something satisfying yet effortless - just like my easy pesto gnocchi with peas and basil! For more quick Italian-inspired meals, try these reader favourites:
- Creamy prawn and pea risotto (elegant but easy)
- 15-minute canned tuna pasta (perfect pantry meal)
- Simple focaccia bread (great for dipping)
Jump to:
💗 Why This Recipe Works
✔ So fast - Done before your pasta water boils
✔ Cheap & easy - Uses stuff you already have (tuna, pasta, garlic)
✔ No stress - Burned the garlic? Start over in 2 minutes
✔ Kids love it - Mine fight over the crispy tuna bits
🥘 Ingredients
*See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
♻️ Substitutions
- Canned tuna in oil: Substitute any high-quality canned tuna in olive oil.
- Garlic cloves, sliced: Replace with garlic powder.
- Capers: Use chopped green olives as an alternative.
- Chilli pepper, diced (optional): Omit for a milder dish or use a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat.
- Cherry tomatoes: Replace with regular tomatoes, diced, if needed.
- Tomato paste: Use canned tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes instead.
- Fresh basil: Swap for dried basil or parsley if fresh basil is unavailable.
- Salt and pepper: Adjust seasoning to your taste.
- Grated Parmesan cheese: Substitute with any hard cheese like Pecorino, or skip for a dairy-free option.
- Spaghetti: Use any pasta shape you have on hand.
📋 Variations
- Thai-style Tuna Spaghetti: Heat coconut milk with Thai red curry paste, then add tuna, capers, and red chillies. Simmer, toss with spaghetti, and garnish with cilantro and lime wedges.
- Lemon Garlic Tuna Spaghetti: Sauté minced garlic in olive oil, then add tuna, capers, and red chilli flakes. Toss with lemon juice and cooked spaghetti. Garnish with parsley and lemon zest.
- Tomato and Basil Tuna Spaghetti: Sauté onions and garlic, then add tuna, capers, red chilli flakes, and diced tomatoes. Simmer into a sauce, toss with spaghetti, and garnish with basil.
- Creamy Tuna Spaghetti: Mix softened cream cheese with milk or cream. Sauté onions and garlic, then add tuna, capers, and chilli flakes. Stir in the creamy sauce and toss with spaghetti. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
- Mediterranean Tuna Spaghetti: Sauté bell peppers, black olives, and red onions. Add tuna, capers, and chilli flakes. Toss with spaghetti, drizzle with olive oil, and top with feta and oregano.
👩🍳 How To Make 15-Minute Spaghetti with Tuna, Capers & Chilli (Easy Italian Recipe)
If you're planning to keep your Italian-inspired dinner going, try this simple Italian yeast pizza dough. Top it with classic, authentic ingredients or get creative and choose your own toppings.
Step 1: Heat a skillet, add the tuna with its oil, and cook for 2-3 minutes. Add garlic, capers, and chilli pepper; cook for another 2 minutes. Add cherry tomatoes and cook until softened.
Step 2: Stir in the tomato paste and mix well. Cook for another 2 minutes to blend everything.
Step 3: Add the drained spaghetti to the pan with the tuna mixture. Toss everything together gently, ensuring that the spaghetti is coated evenly with the sauce.
Step 4: Serve the tuna spaghetti immediately, garnished with a few fresh basil leaves and an extra sprinkle of Parmesan cheese if desired.
💭 Expert Tips
- Choose Good Tuna: Use high-quality tuna, preferably in olive oil, for the best taste and texture.
- Control the Spice: Start with a small amount of chilli and add more if needed. This lets you adjust the heat to your liking.
- Cook Pasta Firm: Cook the pasta until it's firm but not hard. This helps it hold up well in the dish and prevents it from getting mushy.
Storage
Tuna and pasta are best enjoyed immediately after cooking. For optimal taste and texture, consume the dish straight away.
❓ FAQs
For best results, sear fresh tuna steaks (1" thick) 2-3 minutes per side until medium-rare, then flake into the sauce. Note: Fresh tuna will have a milder flavour than the rich, savoury flavour of canned tuna in this spaghetti recipe.
While spaghetti is classic, this tuna spaghetti recipe works beautifully with linguine, bucatini, or even short pasta like penne or fusilli. Just adjust cooking time to match your pasta's package instructions.
Simply omit the Parmesan cheese or substitute with:
• Nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavour
• Vegan Parmesan alternative
• Toasted breadcrumbs for texture
The bold flavours of the tuna, capers and chilli will still make this spaghetti recipe delicious!
If you're out of capers, try these alternatives in your tuna spaghetti:
• Chopped green olives (reduce salt elsewhere)
• Pickled peppadew peppers (for sweetness)
• Diced cornichons (for tang)
• Anchovy fillets (for umami depth)
Great additions include:
• Spinach (toss in at end)
• Roasted red peppers
• Artichoke hearts
• Sautéed zucchini
Add veggies when you cook the cherry tomatoes.
If You Enjoyed This Recipe, You Will Love These Too
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📖 Recipe
Tuna, caper and chilli spaghetti
Equipment
- Colander
- Large skillet or frying pan
- Kitchen tongs
- Garlic press, grater or knife
Ingredients
- 2 x 80g canned tuna in oil I used tuna from Rio Mare
- 3 garlic cloves sliced
- 1 heaped spoon capers
- 1 chili pepper diced (optional)
- 150 g cherry tomatoes
- 50 g tomato paste
- Fresh basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 100 g grated Parmesan cheese
- 300 g spaghetti
Instructions
- Start by boiling water in a large pot. Add salt to the boiling water and cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions until it reaches the desired doneness. Drain the spaghetti and set it aside.300 g spaghetti
- Heat a large skillet or frying pan over medium heat. Add the canned tuna (including the oil) to the pan and break it up into smaller chunks using a spatula or fork. Sauté the tuna for about 2-3 minutes until it's slightly browned.2 x 80g canned tuna in oil
- Add the sliced garlic, capers, and diced chili pepper (if using) to the pan. Sauté everything together for another 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.3 garlic cloves, 1 heaped spoon capers, 1 chili pepper
- Cut the cherry tomatoes in half and add them to the pan. Cook for about 3-4 minutes until the tomatoes start to soften and release their juices.150 g cherry tomatoes
- Stir in the tomato paste and mix well to combine it with the other ingredients. Cook for an additional 2 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.50 g tomato paste
- Tear a few fresh basil leaves into smaller pieces and add them to the pan. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir everything together and cook for another minute.Fresh basil, Salt and pepper to taste
- Add the drained spaghetti to the pan with the tuna mixture. Toss everything together gently, ensuring that the spaghetti is coated evenly with the sauce.
- Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the spaghetti and toss it once again to incorporate the cheese.100 g grated Parmesan cheese
- Serve the tuna spaghetti immediately, garnished with a few fresh basil leaves and an extra sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, if desired.
Video
Notes
- Use good tuna in oil for better taste; drain it well before using.
- Cook the pasta until it's just soft but still a little firm (al dente).
- Add chili flakes slowly if you don't like too much spice; you can always add more.
- Add fresh herbs like parsley or basil at the end for a fresh flavor.
- If capers are too salty, rinse them with water before using.
- Save some pasta water before draining; it helps make the sauce creamy.
- A little lemon juice or zest can make it taste even better.
- Eat it right away for the best taste and texture.
- Add extras like tomatoes, olives, or spinach if you want.
- Keep leftovers in the fridge for up to 2 days; reheat with a little water or oil to make it saucy again.
Criss says
My family loved this!