SGS Italian-Style Tuna Pasta Salad (GF)
Overview
SERVES: 4 / PREP TIME: 10 Minutes / COOK TIME: 20 Minutes
Tuna salad? Good. Pasta Salad? Good. Italian-style tuna pasta salad? GOOD. This mayonnaise-free lunch or appetizer is perfect for al fresco dining in the spring and summer. The flavors — seafood, garlic, capers, fresh basil, ripe cherry tomatoes — were inspired by dreams of a little table on an Italian coastline, Aperol Spritz in hand, and good friends to giggle with.
Ingredients
1 can albacore tuna, drained
1 box rotini GF pasta (I like Banza)
1 tbsp tomato paste
3 garlic cloves, minced
2-3 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
2 tbsp capers
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, divided into 3 tbsp
Juice of ½ lemon
2 tbsp chopped pickled red onion
1.5 tbsp balsamic vinegar, divided into 1 tbsp and ½ tbsp
½ cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
½ cup cucumber, chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
Equipment
Stock pot for the pasta
Small skillet
Serving bowl
Instructions
Heat your water in a pot over high heat for the pasta. Once boiling, add box of pasta and 1 tbsp salt. Cook according to package directions.
In a small skillet, heat 1 tbsp EVOO to medium heat. Add tomato paste, capers and garlic. Sauté for ~3 min, until garlic is fragrant and tomato paste has combined with the EVOO. Remove from heat.
In your serving bowl, combine tuna, sautéed tomato paste mixture, lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, chopped basil, pickled red onions, cooked pasta, 1 tbsp EVOO and salt and pepper.
Chop cherry tomatoes and cucumber and combine in a bowl with the last tablespoon of EVOO. Toss with salt and ½ tbsp balsamic vinegar. Let sit for a few minutes if you can - the balsamic and salt will bring out the juices of the tomatoes.
Add to bowl with pasta mix and serve or refrigerate to serve chilled.
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