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Tonno & Tomato Linguine with sweet onion and arugula ~ a delicious, quick and nutritious recipe from the new cookbook ‘Back Pocket Pasta’Â by Colu Henry.
My cookbook collection has a shiny new addition this week.  When I first read about Back Pocket Pasta ~ Inspired Dinners to Cook on the Fly ~ I knew I’d have to explore these simple and delicious pasta dishes.  “Simple yet sophisticated pasta dishes that come together in the same about of time it takes to boil the water.”  Quick, delicious, simple and easy – what more could I possibly want in a recipe?  I have tons of baking cookbooks and several with ice cream and desserts, but this is the first one dedicated solely to humble, delicious pasta.
There are many recipes I want to try, but for our first I picked this tasty dish made with ripe tomatoes, sweet onion, great quality oil-packed tuna, wine and arugula.  We often eat arugula in salads but not sautéed like in this delicious recipe.  The peppery taste of arugula is terrific combined with the light sauce made with fresh, vine ripened tomatoes.
The oil-packed Italian tonno (tuna) is phenomenal in this dish while providing a little protein too.
I would have never thought to add tuna to a pasta dish like this, but I love the simplicity of the flavors. Â With a sprinkle of crushed red pepper and a splash of dry white wine, dinner is done in a flash!
Put the pot of water on to boil when you get started making this dish – it will all be done before you know it!
Don’t forget to PIN for later!
Tonno & Tomato Linguine with sweet onion & arugula
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- ½ large sweet onion, thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 3 medium tomatoes, chopped
- ¾ pound linguine
- 1 6-ounce jar oil-packed Italian tuna, drained and flaked (Tonnino brand if you can find it)
- ½ cup dry white wine
- fresh ground black pepper
- 5 ounces baby arugula
- ¼ cup chopped Italian parsley, plus more for garnish
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add 1 tablespoon of salt and return to a rolling boil
- While the water is heating, prepare the sauce. IN a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and crushed red pepper and cook until the garlic is fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the tomatoes and cook until they are soft, about 5 minutes.
- At this point, add the linguine to the boiling water and cook until al dente, per the package directions.
- Meanwhile, add the tuna to the sauce and gently cook for 3 more minutes. Pour in the wine and bring the sauce to a simmer. Cook until the mixture reduces by half, about 3 minutes. Season with black pepper and a little salt.
- Once the linguine is ready, increase the heat under the sauce to medium-high and scoop the pasta directly into the skillet, using tongs.  (Do not drain the pasta)  Toss the linguine in the sauce to coat.  Add the arugula and ½ cup of pasta water.  Toss together for about 1 minute or until the arugula wilts.  Add the parsley to the pasta and toss again.  Add an additional ¼ cup of pasta water if needed to loosen up the sauce. Â
- Check the seasoning and serve immediately garnished with additional chopped parsley, a sprinkle of crushed red pepper, fresh ground black pepper and lemon wedges.
Recipe Notes
- Recipe adapted from Back Pocket Pasta by Colu Henry
Nutrition
I was not compensated for featuring this cookbook.  All opinions are my own and I just wanted to share it with you!
If you’re interested in reading more about the cookbook ~ Back Pocket Pasta ~ please click on the photo below:
      
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We love a quick and simple pasta dish from time to time, and especially savor that special, something different from everyday marinara.  This 20-Minute Cherry Tomato and Basil Angel Hair Pasta ~ from Oh Sweet Basil ~ sounds like a perfect weeknight dinner to me!  Easy Parmesan Buttered Noodles ~ from FoodieCrush looks absolutely wonderful too as well as this Spaghetti with Tuna, Lemon and Dill ~ from The View from Great Island.  If you love a good one-pot pasta, try our Bucatini Puttanesca ~ Spicy One-Pot Pasta for a quick, full flavored weekend night meatless meal.
Finally, IÂ hope you enjoyed a glorious, beautiful spring weekend! Â Maybe you’re basking in the sun on a beautiful sandy beach, or cruising to the Bahamas for spring break, and if you are, we’re so jealous! Â Enjoy your week and thanks so much for stopping by!
Tricia
John/Kitchen Riffs
I love quickly cooked greens like this! And they’re perfect when combined with pasta — such a great pairing. This is my kind of food — thanks!
Tricia Buice
Thank you John!
Karen (Back Road Journal)
What’s not to like about the pasta dish…tasty and simple.
Tricia Buice
I agree Karen – thanks for stopping by!
2 Sisters Recipes by Anna and Liz
This happens to be one of our favorite pasta dishes, but never get around to posting the ones we make all the time- lol. So many recipes, so little time. Anyway your dish looks lovely and delicious! Hope you are having a great week!
Tricia Buice
I know what you mean Anna. It’s funny how we forget about our go-to recipes. I just love to post the most delicious recipes so this one made the cut 🙂 Have a blessed Easter!
cheri
Gorgeous pasta dish Tricia, I am going to have to track down that specific kind of tuna and make this sounds and looks delicious!
Tricia Buice
It is so tasty Cheri – worth the extra effort if you ask me 🙂 Have a blessed Easter!
Velva
This looks incredibly healthy and delicious. A really nice warm weather dish. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Velva-Tomatoes on the Vine
Tricia Buice
Thank you Velva!
Susan
So delicious! We just had several days worth of tuna pasta salad 🙂 I’ve never tried the Italian oil-packed tuna but will look for it now. This is my kind of meal in the spring!
Tricia Buice
Me too Susan! Thanks so much – have a very Happy Easter!
Liz
I’ve gone back to eating oil packed tuna and it must be amazing in this pasta! Perfect for the last Friday in Lent!
Tricia Buice
This is some delicious tuna Liz – have a very happy Easter!
Marisa Franca @ All Our Way
We’ve gotten so spoiled with Italian tonno. We refuse to purchase anything else. Costco down south used to carry it — now we can’t find it. The flavor is like nothing else you can find in a tuna can. Will be trying your recipe once we find the tonno we love.
Tricia Buice
I’m with you Marisa – this tuna is the best I’ve ever had. Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
Gerlinde
This would be a great quick meal , perfect for when I have four visitors in May. Right now on my way to Germany.
Tricia Buice
Hi Gerlinde – I was wondering if you had left California yet for your trip. I hope you enjoy your visit in your village and have a blessed Easter! Thank you so much for stopping by!
larry
Looks like a healthy, fresh and delicious dish Tricia. Not sure if we’ve ever made a tuna pasta dish.
Tricia Buice
Maybe you’ve had the old stand-by … tuna fish and noddles! I don’t eat much tuna with pasta but that needs to change 🙂
Chris Scheuer
This looks delightful Tricia. I love meals in a bowl and this one looks so easy to put together. You always make everything look so pretty too!
Tricia Buice
Thank you Chris! I know you could make it much prettier for photos. I was in a hurry so I could eat – haha!
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers
This is an absolutely perfect pasta dish! I love tuna and pasta together and with all the other flavourful ingredients, I would be in heaven 🙂
Tricia Buice
It’s such a nice meal Jennifer – I know you would love it too! Thank you 🙂
sue | theviewfromgreatisland
We’re on the same delicious tuna page today ~ how fun! I really love pasta with tuna, it’s such a quick and easy meal, and I love that this one comes straight from the pantry!
Tricia Buice
Yes we are Sue and I LOVE your post. Nothing better than a great dish made with everyday ingredients!
tanna
Thank you for sharing about that tuna! Arugula is my FAVORITE green. Love the peppery bite it has. Looks YUMMY! blessings ~ tanna
Tricia Buice
I love arugula too Tanna – but I just had never tried it wilted before. We loved it 🙂 Blessings to you – have a great week!
Angie@Angie's Recipes
Quick, delicious and packed full of flavours!
Tricia Buice
It’s all that Angie!