Tuna & Tomato Pasta Sauce

Not only is this pasta sauce adult & kid friendly, but it’s a great way to get healthy fish into anyone’s diet! In addition, it can be made almost entirely with pantry staples. Plus it’s quick and simple to prepare – so add this one to your list of good fall back options for weeknight dinners.

The most important thing about this recipe is using the best tuna you can find – that doesn’t mean the most expensive – but the most delicious. Tuna in olive oil tends to be of a higher quality and that is what I prefer to buy and use. No matter what type or style of tuna you decide to use, adjust the seasonings at the end and enjoy a delicious pasta dish!

A note on quantity – this recipe will make about 2 cups of sauce. Feel free to double the recipe and play with ratios, it is a fairly forgiving recipe!

Ingredients:

• 1 T olive oil
• 1 small chopped onion
• 1 garlic clove, chopped
• 1 can of chopped or diced tomatoes (plain, fire roasted, with garlic, etc. anything goes but avoid green chile type additions)
• 1 T tomato paste
• 1/2 t balsamic vinegar
• 1/2 t sugar (optional)
• 1/4 – 1/2 t mixed herbs (mixed italian spices, thyme, herbs de provence, etc.)
• 2/3 can of tuna (preferably tuna in olive oil) drained & flaked
• 2 T cream cheese

1. Heat olive oil in a sauce pan over medium to med-high heat. Add onion and garlic. Saute about 5 minutes until soft.
2. Add all other ingredients except tuna and cream cheese. Cook over medium heat uncovered for about 12 minutes, stirring often.
3. Reduce heat to low, add flaked tuna and heat through.
4. Stir in cream cheese until melted, remove from heat.

This sauce keeps very nicely for a few days in the fridge. I have also frozen it in cubes for the baby with no problem.

Based on a recipe from First Meals by Annabel Karmel.