Roasted Cherry Tomato and Tuna Pasta – this flavorful pasta dinner can be on the table in under 30 minutes!! Roasting cherry tomatoes brings out their natural sweetness.
This recipes is so simple and it’s the super easy roasted tomatoes that make all the flavor difference!
A pasta dish that is simple yet so tempting. Just setting aside some time at the beginning of making the recipe to roast the tomatoes will takes this pasta dish to a different level! Roasting cherry tomatoes brings out their natural sweetness.
Originally published April 2019 and republished February 2022. One of my all-time favorite pasta recipes!!!
A fantastic pasta recipe that is ready in under 30 minutes! This is one of those dishes you could probably make with ingredients you have on hand. I found cherry tomatoes on sale for $1 (yes, just a dollar!) and was debating on what to make with them.
Cherry tomatoes are easy to find all year round. I did use a combo of cherry and two Roma tomatoes. All you do is pop them in the oven right before getting to making the pasta and the rest of the ingredients.
Soon you have a pan full of sweet and caramelized roasted tomatoes filled with flavor from the fresh thyme and garlic. If you don’t have fresh spinach you could sub frozen spinach (just be sure to cook it and fully drain it before adding to the sauce). You could also sub in fresh arugula.
What ingredients are in this pasta recipe?
Here is all you need to make this tasty pasta recipe (full recipe is below!).
- cherry tomatoes
- fresh thyme
- penne pasta or rigatoni
- extra-virgin olive oil
- onion
- tuna in olive oil
- white wine or white balsamic vinegar
- fresh spinach
- sea salt and fresh ground black pepper
How to make roasted cherry tomato and tuna pasta?
Here is how to make this flavorful pasta (the full recipe is below!).
- First thing is to roast the tomatoes.
- While the tomatoes are roasting, you cook up the onion and the tuna together. Add in a splash of white wine (you could also use white balsamic vinegar if you don’t have white wine on hand). You could enjoy a glass of the wine with your pasta!
- When the pasta is ready you combine it with the tuna, the fabulous roasted tomatoes and the fresh spinach. If you don’t have any cherry tomatoes on hand, feel free to use a small can of crushed tomatoes or even canned cherry tomatoes.
- Then stir it all together until the spinach is slightly wilted (no mushy spinach for this dish, that’s why I prefer fresh and not frozen).
- Serve it while it’s warm.
A favorite family pasta recipe in our house. I hope you enjoy it! Also wonderful for a date night with your special someone!!
How to store the leftovers of this pasta?
Once the pasta has cooled down, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Can I make this pasta for meal prep?
YES! This is a great pasta to make ahead. It’s really nice at room temperature. You don’t need to heat it up to enjoy. It’s great even a few minutes outside of the fridge (like a cold pasta salad).
Some variations:
- Substitute the tuna with sardines, salmon, shredded chicken or sautéed mushrooms.
- Substitute the pasta with quinoa, rice, couscous, barley, cauliflower rice, or zucchini noodles.
Some other pasta recipes to enjoy:
- Caramelized Shallot Pasta
- Vegan Cheese Sauce Pasta
- Pumpkin and Turkey Pasta
- Vegan Mushroom Coconut Pasta
One last thing…I promise!
Just a quick request: if you enjoyed this pasta recipe as much as we did, would you kindly leave me a 5-star rating and a short (or long!)comment–the ratings are what helps get my recipes and hard work discovered, so I can keep leaving you more delish recipes!
Your comments mean the world to me….and I really SMILE when I read them. Thank you so much! XX
Roasted Cherry Tomato and Tuna Pasta
Ingredients
- 10 oz of cherry tomatoes
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 cloves garlic sliced thin
- 1 pound penne pasta or rigatoni
- 2 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil plus more for drizzling
- 1 small onion chopped
- 1 can tuna in olive oil
- ½ cup white wine or white balsamic vinegar
- 6 ounces fresh spinach
- sea salt and fresh ground black pepper
Instructions
COOK THE TOMATOES
- Roast the tomatoes: Heat oven to 400°F. Spread the tomatoes out on a foil- or parchment-lined baking sheet, toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil, garlic and fresh thyme. Sprinkle with a few pinches of salt and pepper. Cook for 15-20 minutes, or until tender and ready to use. Remove from the oven, and transfer the baking sheet to a cooling rack until ready to use.
PASTA
- Cook the pasta: Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until just before al dente.
- When you drain pasta, reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
- PREP THE SAUCE
- While pasta is cooking: heat remaining olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for about 1 minute.
- Add in tuna: Add the tuna and white wine. Let the wine cook down a minute or two and then add the cooked pasta. Stir to combine and cook for a minute or two. Add in a little bit of the reserved pasta water.
- Add in spinach and roasted tomatoes: Stir in spinach and the roasted tomatoes (you could add just the tomatoes and not the garlic and the thyme from the pan. If pasta seems too dry, add a little bit more of the reserved pasta water. If you don’t mind the garlic flavor, add the garlic from roasting pan). Toss together for 1-2 minutes, until the spinach is slightly wilted.
- Season: Season with salt and pepper. Drizzle on a little extra-virgin olive oil.
- Serve: Serve immediately, garnished with your desired toppings.
Rigger Tony says
500g of pasta is a bit much?
enjoyed the dish
Lora says
You could 1/2 the recipe if that works better for your portion requirement. This is the portion that worked for our family. Also, keep in mind, it makes great leftovers!
Gary says
I enjoy the light yet filling dish. I substituted spaghetti squash for the pasta. Didn’t have the wine or vinegar. Still was a great recipe to find. I’d recommend this to any who enjoys tuna.
Lora says
Hi Gary-Thanks for taking the time and letting me know you enjoyed the recipe. That’s great you subbed the pasta with spaghetti squash (we love spaghetti squash!).
Ana says
I just made it for lunch. It was delicious.
Lora says
Hi Ana…really happy you enjoyed! Thank you for letting me know! XX