Quick & Simple Tuna & Basil Pesto Pasta

Disclosure: This post has been sponsored by StarKist E.V.O.O.™

This recipe for tuna and basil pesto pasta is one of my all-time favorites! Not only is it super simple and quick to make but it’s loaded with delicious flavors. Packed with protein rich tuna, basil pesto, red pepper, spinach and sun-dried tomatoes, it’s a dish that pops with flavor and is healthy as well.

I’m always on the search for simple and quick weeknight dinner recipes and this recipe for tuna and basil pesto pasta is one that we turn to often. With only a handful of ingredients and less than 20 minutes, you can have a delicious, protein-rich and veggie filled meal on the table that everyone will enjoy (even our 4-year-old is a fan of this meal!). I’ve even doubled this recipe to have leftovers as it can easily be reheated for simple meal prepping.

When it comes to easy meals, tuna is a great option for cooking with. I often pick up a handful of StarKist E.V.O.O.™ pouches on our weekly shopping trip to have on hand for quick meals or to even take on the go when pressed for time. StarKist E.V.O.O.™ pouches are great meal helpers that allow you to put a healthy meal on the table quickly as they’re super versatile for many recipes. With only a few simple ingredients in each variety, StarKist E.V.O.O.™ makes a wonderful addition to many different diets (Keto, Paleo, Whole30 and Mediterranean Diet). For those with food sensitivities, StarKist E.V.O.O.™ Wild-Caught Yellowfin Tuna with Extra Virgin Olive Oil and the StarKist E.V.O.O.™ Wild-Caught Pink Salmon with Extra Virgin Olive Oil are great options as they are gluten-free, soy-free and GMO free.

StarKist E.V.O.O.™ pouches (available in Wild-Caught Yellowfin Tuna or Wild-Caught Pink Salmon varieties) are packed in cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil and have a rich, mellow flavor and tender texture which makes them great additions to any meal. Tuna is a great alternative for a meatless meal if you’re looking to cut down on red meat consumption and especially a fabulous option if you’ll be celebrating Lent. Not only do tuna and salmon provide a great source of protein, but they are a natural source of Omega 3s to support heart health too.

This quick and simple tuna and basil pesto pasta recipe I’m sharing today will quickly become a family favorite. It’s made with only a handful of ingredients, can be thrown together in less than 20 minutes total and has a great balance of lean proteins, healthy fats, carbs and lots of nutrient-dense veggies. It can be made with either StarKist E.V.O.O.™ Wild-Caught Yellowfin Tuna with Sun-dried Tomato in Extra Virgin Olive Oil or StarKist E.V.O.O.™ Wild-Caught Yellowfin Tuna in Extra Virgin Olive Oil. I definitely prefer the sun-dried tomato variety for the additional boost of flavor!

My favorite veggies to add to this meal are onions, red pepper and fresh spinach, but you can use a variety of veggies (broccoli, kale or cherry tomatoes also taste great). Simple sauté veggies, add pesto sauce (store-bought or homemade), add the StarKist E.V.O.O.™ tuna of your choice and mix with pasta! To save time, you can even cook your pasta ahead of time and simply toss with the remaining ingredients. In the summer, this can be a great dish served cold (just make sure to sauté veggies ahead of time).

Disclosure: This post has been sponsored by StarKist E.V.O.O.™