Creamy tuna and pea pasta
Canned tuna, frozen peas, and pasta become a quick creamy dinner without canned soup or heavy cream.
Original Helping Plate recipe · Independently written for this site. Cover image is an illustrative serving suggestion.
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Makes
- 4 servings
- Budget note
- Often under $9
Directions
- 1
Cook the pasta
Bring a pot of water to a boil, salt it lightly, and cook the pasta according to the package directions. Add frozen peas during the final 2 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.
- 2
Start the sauce
While the pasta cooks, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute without letting it brown.
- 3
Add the milk
Slowly whisk in the milk. Add garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Simmer gently for 3–5 minutes, whisking often, until the sauce lightly coats a spoon.
- 4
Combine
Add the drained pasta and peas to the sauce. Fold in the tuna and optional lemon juice. Add reserved pasta water a little at a time if the sauce is thicker than you like.
- 5
Serve
Taste and adjust the seasoning. Divide into four bowls and serve while warm.
Make it work with what you have
Use canned chicken or chickpeas instead of tuna. Frozen mixed vegetables can replace the peas, and any short pasta shape will work.
Simple and filling
A simple milk sauce makes one can of tuna feel like a full family meal, while peas add color and vegetables without extra chopping.
Storage
Refrigerate in shallow covered containers within 2 hours and use within 3 days. Reheat gently to 165°F, adding a splash of milk or water because the sauce thickens when chilled.
Stretch this meal further
These are Helping Plate’s practical additions for shopping carefully and cooking with food-distribution staples.
- Reserve some pasta water before draining so you can loosen the sauce without adding more milk.
- Add the tuna at the end and fold gently so some larger flakes remain.
- Use evaporated milk when that is what you have; dilute it with an equal amount of water before measuring.
Equipment
Large pot · Colander · Medium saucepan or deep skillet · Whisk · Can opener
Cuisine
American
Dietary notes
Egg-free
Check for allergens
Fish · Milk · Wheat/gluten
