Tuna-Tomato Pasta with Fresh Garlic-Bread

On a budget? This is the perfect meal for you! Why? It will only cost you $5.84 for 4 servings. Can't beat that! Plus, you are getting those necessary essential Omega 3's & 6's in your diet. When we first tried this Rachael Ray Recipe, we all were surprised how much we liked it. I was not a huge fan of tuna casserole growing up, so I didn't think I would like this meal, but it was very flavorful. So give it a try! I bet you have most of the ingredients already in your pantry.

Pasta Recipe
(Print Recipe) 

Cooking spray

  2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 cup flat-leaf parsley, chopped (see note about parsley below)(our kids don't like that much parsley so we usually use about half of the suggested amount)
1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
Salt and pepper
  4 TB Butter
1 5-6 oz can of tuna in olive oil or water, drained
1 lb medium pasta shells
 

1. Spray large skillet with cooking spray over medium heat. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add 2 TB parsley and cook for 1 more minute. Add tomatoes, season with salt and pepper and cook over medium-low heat for 15-20 minutes until sauce thickens. Take off heat, and whisk in butter and stir in tuna.

2. Meanwhile, in a large pot of boiling water, cook pasta about 7 minutes.  Drain. Add pasta to large skillet with tomato sauce. Stir in 3/4 remaining parsley. Top each plate with remaining parsley. Top with fresh Parmesan cheese.

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Plan and Prep Ahead

Here are some helpful techniques to make life a little easier once dinner time hits. These tips will especially help those that work full-time and don't have a lot of time to prepare dinner.

~Chop parsley and garlic ahead of time and keep in fridge until time of use.

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Who likes to CHANGE IT UP?

~Use your favorite pasta instead of shells.
~Try canned salmon instead of tuna or leave it out completely.


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Parsley vs Cilantro

I used to get parsley and cilantro confused a lot, because they look so similar. They definitely have a different taste and smell though, so make sure you smell it before putting it in your cart. 

Also, there's flat-leaf parsley (seen above) that you usually use for cooking, and curly pasta that is normally a garnish.  So, if the recipe just says parsley, it's usually the flat-leaf variety. Make sense? If not, let me know! :) I'm happy to answer any questions you might have.