How to Make Chef John's Spaghetti al Tonno - A Step-by-Step Guide

Chef John's Spaghetti al Tonno is a mouthwatering Italian pasta dish that is both satisfying and easy to prepare. This simple yet flavorful recipe combines al dente spaghetti with a rich and savory tuna sauce, creating a dish that is perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion.

Spaghetti al Tonno, or spaghetti with tuna, is a classic Italian dish that originates from the coastal regions of Italy. The combination of pasta and tuna creates a hearty and delicious meal that is su...

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Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 anchovy fillet
  • 2 tablespoons capers
  • 3 cloves minced garlic
  • ½ cup dry white wine
  • ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 pinch red pepper flakes, or to taste
  • 3 cups crushed Italian (plum) tomatoes (such as San Marzano)
  • salt and ground black pepper to taste
  • 1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste
  • 1 (7 ounce) can oil-packed tuna, drained
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
  • 1 (12 ounce) package spaghetti
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, or to taste
  • ¼ cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, or to taste
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, or to taste

Information

  • Prep Time: 20 mins
  • Cook Time: 35 mins
  • Total Time: 55 mins
  • Servings: 4
  • Yield: 4 servings

  • Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Cook and stir anchovy and capers in hot oil until anchovy crumbles, about 2 minutes. Add garlic; cook and stir until fragrant, about 1 minute.
  • Pour white wine, oregano, and red pepper flakes into the skillet and increase heat to high; cook until mixture reduces and about 3 tablespoons of liquid remain, 2 to 4 minutes.
  • Stir tomatoes into the skillet and bring to a simmer. Season tomato mixture with salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Reduce heat to medium and simmer until slightly reduced, about 10 minutes.
  • Stir tuna and 1/4 cup parsley into tomato sauce, breaking up tuna with a wooden spoon while stirring. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for about 10 minutes.
  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until almost cooked through and still slightly firm to the bite, 9 to 11 minutes. Drain and transfer spaghetti back to the pot.
  • Pour tomato sauce over spaghetti into the pot; stir to combine, cover the pot with a lid, and let sit until spaghetti is cooked through, about 3 minutes. Ladle spaghetti into bowls, drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil, and sprinkle Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and parsley over the top.
  • Nutrition

    620 cal.

    • Total Fat: 18g
    • Saturated Fat: 3g
    • Cholesterol: 14mg
    • Sodium: 707mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 80g
    • Dietary Fiber: 7g
    • Total Sugars: 3g
    • Protein: 31g
    • Vitamin C: 24mg
    • Calcium: 161mg
    • Iron: 7mg
    • Potassium: 907mg