Spaghetti with Fresh Tuna & Tomato Sauce
Spaghetti with Fresh Tuna & Tomato Sauce
Seared fresh tuna folded into a tomato sauce sharpened with black olive paste and white wine, tossed with spaghetti and parsley.
Prep: 10 minutes · Cook: 20 minutes
What Is Spaghetti with Fresh Tuna & Tomato Sauce?
A Mediterranean pasta where fresh tuna is briefly seared, set aside, then folded back into a tomato sauce sharpened with black olive paste and white wine, over spaghetti.
Why Make Spaghetti with Fresh Tuna & Tomato Sauce?
- Fresh, light and full of flavour
- Black olive paste adds savoury depth
- A more refined take on tuna pasta
- Quick once the prep is done
- Restaurant-quality at home
Unico Products Used in This Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 clove garlic (peeled and crushed)
- 1 lb fresh tuna or swordfish steak (about 1/2-inch thick)
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 1 tbsp black olive paste
- 4 cups whole tomatoes (milled to remove seeds)
- salt and pepper (to taste)
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped)
- 450 g spaghetti
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat, add the garlic and cook until golden, then discard the garlic.
- Add the tuna and stir 1-2 minutes, then add the wine and cook until reduced by about half.
- Scoop out the tuna with a slotted spoon and set aside.
- Stir the olive paste into the wine, then add the milled tomatoes; season and bring to a fast simmer.
- Reduce the heat and simmer the sauce uncovered 5-6 minutes.
- Return the tuna, stir a few minutes, then add the parsley and turn off the heat.
- Cook the spaghetti until al dente, drain, and toss with the sauce over heat until combined.
Cooking Tips
- Don't overcook the tuna — sear briefly and set aside
- Mill the tomatoes for a smooth sauce
- Use a good fresh tuna or swordfish steak
- Add the tuna back at the end to keep it tender
- Finish with fresh parsley
Frequently Asked Questions About Spaghetti with Fresh Tuna & Tomato Sauce
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1. Can I use canned tuna instead?
You can for a quicker version, but fresh tuna or swordfish gives the dish its character; add canned tuna at the end.
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2. What is black olive paste?
A smooth puree of black olives (olive tapenade) that adds savoury depth; mashed chopped olives work too.
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3. Can I use swordfish?
Yes; the recipe works equally well with swordfish.
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4. How do I keep the fish tender?
Sear it briefly, remove it while you build the sauce, and return it at the end.
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5. How do I store leftovers?
Refrigerate up to 2 days; seafood pasta is best eaten fresh.
Cooking Guides & Tips
Spaghetti with Fresh Tuna & Tomato Sauce Made Simple
Spaghetti with Fresh Tuna and Tomato Sauce is a light, refined seafood pasta with real Mediterranean character. Unico tomatoes give the sauce its bright base.