One Pot Tuna Pasta Recipe
I bought a multi-cooker recently and I’ve been having great fun cooking lots of new one pot meals for the family. Not only are they delicious and easy one pot recipes, but they can save time and money too! Definitely a win when you’ve got many mouths to feed. I’m going to share with you my tasty one pot tuna pasta recipe that always goes down a storm in my house.
Super Cheap Family Meals
With a large family to feed I’m always on the look out for very cheap dinner ideas. But, as a dietitian, I know these dinners can’t compromise on nutrition. So I’ve started making a series of videos over on YouTube with lots of ideas for super cheap family meals that you can make yourself. You can even find a short video on this one pot tuna pasta too. Why not head over and have a look?
Saving Time and Money
Our multi-cooker has really changed the way we cook and approach meals. Whether its making soups (see my blog for some delicious soup ideas), casseroles, or pasta dishes like this one, you can make amazing healthy food quickly and cheaply. I particularly love using the pressure cooker setting, as you can get on with other things whilst it cooks. No need to stand and stir or worry about boiling over.
As mentioned in my budget food shop post, cooking in one pot can reduce energy use and save you money. Compared to an oven, using the air-fryer setting saves energy as it has a smaller area to heat. We’ve found pressure cooking can be even more efficient in time and energy too. And don’t forget, if you only use one pot then you only have to wash up one pot at the end. Another important win when family life is so hectic.
Making the Meal
As you can see in the video, this meal is so easy! Chop up your veggies, satay your onions and garlic, then just throw it all in and pressure cook for 5 minutes. To make this a fully one pot pasta vegetarian meal then substitute in some beans, lentils or extra mushrooms for the tuna. These ensure you get a good healthy dose of protein in your meal. Its important to replace the meat from recipes with a meat-free option when making them vegetarian, not just removing the meat, This makes sure you’re getting the all-important nutrients your body needs to be healthy. Topping with some grated cheese is certainly a must in my family too.
One pot tuna pasta
This easy family favourite can be made in just one pot or use an Instant Pot/Multicooker
Servings 4
Cost 97 p per portion
- 1 tbsp olive oil, chopped
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed
- 2 red peppers, chopped
- 150 g mushrooms, chopped
- 320 g frozen vegetables
- 320 g pasta
- 2 tins chopped tomatoes
- 2 tins tuna, drained
- 1 litre stock
- 200 ml water
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- black pepper
- 1 tbsp mixed herbs
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Heat the oil in your pan, saute the onion and garlic. If you are using a multicooker you can use the saute function.
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Add in the peppers and mushrooms, cook for 2 minutes. Then add the frozen vegetables. Lower the heat or cancel the saute function on the multicooker.
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Place the pasta on top of the vegetables, then add a layer of chopped tomatoes, followed by tuna and pour over the stock. Rinse out the chopped tomato cans and add the water in. Your pasta should be almost covered with liquid.
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Add the lemon juice, black pepper and dried herbs.
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Pressure cook for 5 minutes (or half the time the packet tells you the pasta needs to cook) or simmer on the hob for 15 minutes, until the pasta is cooked.
Remember to keep any leftovers for packed lunches!
Variations
In the video, I used the vegetables that I had to hand. You can use whatever you have and whatever veggies you like. Just remember that one portion of veg is 80g per person. I like to make sure that there are at least two portions per person in my meals. Instead of the broccoli and cauliflower, you could put in peas, sweetcorn, carrots or courgettes. Just keep in mind those portion sizes so that your meals are as healthy as they are delicious.
Whilst I have used the Instant Pot you could do this dish in a saucepan on the hob. Simply simmer it for 15 minutes instead of pressure cooking it.
What would you like to see?
Head over to my YouTube channel (don’t forget to subscribe) for other great recipe ideas. If there’s a meal or recipe you’d really like to see then please do drop me a comment? As a dietitian I have spent years creating delicious recipes, so don’t forget to look through my blogs, or visit my BBC Food page. I’ll be posting new videos each week so keep an eye our for them and let me know what you think.