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Creamy Tuna Pasta

Snejana Andreeva - 1

By Snejana Andreeva

on Nov 12, 2022, Updated Dec 10, 2023

Add as a preferred source on Google - 2

You are going to love this Creamy Tuna Pasta. My 🎄 Christmas Eve is just not the same without this bowl of pasta. Steve’s uncle inspired this recipe. Zio Iginio was born and raised in Trento, in the Northern part of 🇮🇹 Italy. He lived in the mountains right on the border of Austria and made this dish for us all the time. This is my take on his pasta with tuna, and hopefully, it honors him today. Rip Zio Jimmy, we all miss you and love you.

  • Why You’ll Love This Creamy Tuna Pasta
  • How to Prepare
  • Nonna’s Tip 🧂
  • Variations and Substitutions for Creamy Tuna Pasta
  • Other Seafood Recipes
  • Best Served With
  • Common Questions
  • Creamy Tuna Pasta Recipe
A wooden spoon lifts a serving of creamy rotini mixed with shredded meat, garnished with chopped parsley. The rotini is in a white dish, and a sprig of parsley is visible to the side. - 3

Why You’ll Love This Creamy Tuna Pasta

The tuna is cooked to golden perfection in a mix of butter and olive oil and complements the al-dente pasta beautifully. This Creamy Tuna Pasta is a great option for a regular weeknight , as it comes together quickly, or you can use it for special occasions such as my family does on 🎄 Christmas Eve. A bit of pepper adds a nice 🔥 kick, and using the starchy pasta water makes the dish so creamy. Feel free to top it with fresh Parmesan Reggiano or chili oil for extra flavor.

How to Prepare

🔥 Heat butter and olive oil in a skillet on medium heat until it shimmers.

🐟 Drain oil or water from tuna and add it to the skillet. Break up and cook until the tuna is golden. Season with pepper and remove from heat.

💦 Boil your preferred pasta in salted water until al dente and then add the cooked pasta to the skillet along with some pasta starchy water.

Ingredients on a white surface: a bowl of tuna, fusilli pasta, grated cheese, olive oil, butter cubes, and a bowl with salt and pepper. - 4

🌶️ Top the dish with fresh Parmesan (not traditional) or chili oil.

❤️ Share and enjoy the recipe with your loved ones.

A white skillet filled with cooked fusilli, topped with grated cheese, black pepper, and small bits of meat. The ingredients are ready to be mixed for a final dish. The skillet has a white handle, and a wooden spoon is visible beside it. - 5

Nonna’s Tip 🧂

Please adjust the pasta water according to how creamy you like your dish. The pasta water should be as salty as the sea, as this is your only chance to flavor the pasta.

A large white dish filled with rotini tossed in a creamy sauce, garnished with fresh parsley. A wooden spoon rests on the side. Black peppercorns are scattered on the table, and a small bowl of grated cheese is nearby. - 6

Variations and Substitutions for Creamy Tuna Pasta

  1. Instead of canned tuna, you can use canned salmon or 🐟 fresh tuna; just be sure to cook it according to your taste and doneness preferences.
  2. You can certainly experiment with various pasta shapes and types, like spaghetti, fettuccine, penne, or even whole wheat pasta for a healthier option.
  3. If you need to make this Creamy Tuna Pasta recipe gluten-free, you can substitute traditional wheat pasta with gluten-free alternatives such as rice or quinoa pasta.
  4. Add minced 🧄 garlic to the butter and olive oil for a garlic-infused flavor.
  5. Toss in some capers or chopped olives or include chopped fresh 🌿 herbs such as parsley, basil, or dill for added freshness.
  6. I recommend Parmesan Reggiano but you could try other 🧀 cheeses such as Pecorino Romano, Asiago, or feta for different flavor options.
  7. To make a vegetarian version, replace the tuna with chickpeas, white beans, or sautéed mushrooms.

Other Seafood Recipes

A plate of Fish and Chips featuring three breaded fish fillets, seasoned potato wedges, lime wedges, and a small dish of yellow dipping sauce, all garnished with fresh herbs and served in bright natural light. - 7 A plate of Fish and Chips featuring three breaded fish fillets, seasoned potato wedges, lime wedges, and a small dish of yellow dipping sauce, all garnished with fresh herbs and served in bright natural light. - 8

Fish and Chips

1 hr

A plate with grilled fish garnished with chopped herbs and lemon wedges. The fish looks tender and seasoned, with olive oil drizzled on top. The lemons add a splash of color against the white plate. - 9 A plate with grilled fish garnished with chopped herbs and lemon wedges. The fish looks tender and seasoned, with olive oil drizzled on top. The lemons add a splash of color against the white plate. - 10

Branzino Recipe

40 mins

A close-up of a Creamy Shrimp Salad with chopped cucumbers, red onions, dill, and other fresh vegetables, all mixed together in a white bowl. - 11 A close-up of a Creamy Shrimp Salad with chopped cucumbers, red onions, dill, and other fresh vegetables, all mixed together in a white bowl. - 12

Creamy Shrimp Salad

13 mins

A pan filled with creamy orange sauce topped with cooked shrimp, garnished with fresh parsley and lemon slices. The shrimp are arranged attractively on the sauce, creating a visually appealing dish. Lemon wedges are placed on the side. - 13 A pan filled with creamy orange sauce topped with cooked shrimp, garnished with fresh parsley and lemon slices. The shrimp are arranged attractively on the sauce, creating a visually appealing dish. Lemon wedges are placed on the side. - 14

Creamy Coconut Shrimp

20 mins

Best Served With

  • Serve this Creamy Tuna Pasta with a simple 🥗 green salad.
  • A lovely crusty 🍞 bread like my No Knead Peasant Bread .
  • A glass of white wine.

Common Questions

Yes, you can use as much or as little tuna as you like in this recipe. Keep in mind that this dish would be lovely with salmon or chicken too. Measure with your heart!

Please adjust the pasta water according to how creamy you like your dish. The pasta water should be as salty as the sea, and this is your only chance to flavor the pasta.

I use Redmond Real Salt , please note that depending on the salt you use, your dish may be less or more salty. Salt is to taste so please always taste and adjust as you cook.

Grated parm is totally optional as it’s not traditional to this Creamy Tuna Pasta recipe, but delicious. Make sure it’s a good-quality block of Parmigiano Reggiano.

A New Recipe Card!!

  1. Check off each step in instructions!
  2. Add ingredients to your shopping list!

Video

Equipment

  • ▢ Enameled Cast Iron Skillet
  • ▢ Measuring Cups + Spoons
  • ▢ Redmond Real Salt
  • ▢ Large Pot

Ingredients

  • ▢ 1.5 cans tuna , large cans without the liquid
  • ▢ 5 tablespoons butter
  • ▢ 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ▢ pepper , to taste
  • ▢ 250 grams pasta , short pasta of choice
  • ▢ pasta water , (about two ladles)
  • ▢ chili peppers , optional
  • ▢ parmigiano , optional

Instructions

  • ▢ In a skillet on medium heat add the butter and olive oil and make sure it shimmers.
  • ▢ Drain the oil or water from the tuna and add it to the butter and olive oil. Break it up and cook until the tuna “pops” and it’s nice and golden.
  • ▢ Add some pepper to taste and take it off the heat. In the meantime, make sure you are boiling the pasta of choice in salted water until al-dente.
  • ▢ When the tuna is nice and golden take the pan off the heat completely. Once the pasta has finished boiling, add it to the pan with the tuna and ladle in the starchy pasta water (liquid gold) a little at a time. Stir gently until creamy.
  • ▢ Top it off with some fresh Parm or chilli oil and don’t forget to share this recipe with your love ones. Enjoy.

My Notes

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Creamy Tuna Pasta

Equipment

  • Enameled Cast Iron Skillet
  • Measuring Cups + Spoons
  • Redmond Real Salt
  • Large Pot

Ingredients

  • 1.5 cans tuna large cans without the liquid
  • 5 tablespoons butter
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • pepper to taste
  • 250 grams pasta short pasta of choice
  • pasta water (about two ladles)
  • chili peppers optional
  • parmigiano optional

Instructions

  • In a skillet on medium heat add the butter and olive oil and make sure it shimmers.
  • Drain the oil or water from the tuna and add it to the butter and olive oil. Break it up and cook until the tuna “pops” and it’s nice and golden.
  • Add some pepper to taste and take it off the heat. In the meantime, make sure you are boiling the pasta of choice in salted water until al-dente.
  • When the tuna is nice and golden take the pan off the heat completely. Once the pasta has finished boiling, add it to the pan with the tuna and ladle in the starchy pasta water (liquid gold) a little at a time. Stir gently until creamy.
  • Top it off with some fresh Parm or chilli oil and don’t forget to share this recipe with your love ones. Enjoy.

Video

Nutrition

Creamy Tuna Pasta https://themodernnonna.com/creamy-tuna-pasta/ November 12, 2022

Home › Recipes › Cookies & Snacks

Lemon Cheesecake Thumbprint Cookies

Snejana Andreeva - 15

By Snejana Andreeva

on Dec 15, 2022, Updated Nov 08, 2023

Add as a preferred source on Google - 16

My lemon cheesecake thumbprint cookies melt in your mouth . This recipe is one of those recipes that you’ll need to triple, because it’s THAT good. 🍋Whether you’re a lemon lover or simply looking for a unique and delicious cookie, these Lemon Cheesecake Thumbprint Cookies are a must-try. They’re perfect for any occasion, from a casual afternoon tea to a fancy dessert spread.

  • Why You’ll Love Lemon Cheesecake Thumbprint Cookies
  • How to Prepare
  • Nonna’s Tip 🍋
  • Lemon Cheesecake Thumbprint Cookies Variations and Substitutions
  • Other Holiday Recipes
  • More Holiday Cookies
  • Common Questions
  • Lemon Cheesecake Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

Why You’ll Love Lemon Cheesecake Thumbprint Cookies

These lemon cheesecake thumbprint cookies are ideal for anyone who cannot tolerate 🥚 eggs as they are completely egg-free . The dough takes 5 minutes to whip up, so these cookies are easy enough for anyone who is not even a baker. They’re only 5 ingredients , which you probably already have on hand. I can honestly say that this is one of those cookie recipes that you cannot get enough of.

How to Prepare

🥣 Use a stand mixer with the paddle attachment or a hand-held mixer and bowl to cream butter and cream cheese for about 2 minutes until smooth.

🍋 Add sugar and lemon extract and mix until smooth . Then add flour, and mix until a sticky dough forms. Scrape down the sides to fully incorporate any remaining flour.

🧊 Cover the cookie dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for one hour.

🥄 Remove dough from the refrigerator, use a small ice-cream scooper to portion the cookies, rolling each in a touch of flour to prevent sticking.

🍓 Place rolled cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper . Flatten each with your thumb, creating an indent, and add a teaspoon of preferred jam/preserve to the center.

🔥 Preheat the oven to 350°F and bake the lemon cheesecake thumbprint cookies for 13-15 minutes or until the edges are light and golden brown .

❄️ Allow the cookies to cool completely and optionally dust with icing sugar. They can be stored at room temperature for up to a week.

Nonna’s Tip 🍋

You MUST refrigerate the cookie dough for at least one hour and you have to use a touch of flour to roll each one as they will stick.

Lemon Cheesecake Thumbprint Cookies - 17

Lemon Cheesecake Thumbprint Cookies Variations and Substitutions

  • Try adding a decorative topping like chopped nuts or a sprinkle of coarse sugar for holiday decoration.
  • I have not tried this recipe with gluten-free flour , but feel free to experiment with a gluten-free 1-1 replacement and let me know how it goes!
  • Instead of lemon extract , you could try almond, vanilla, orange or another you have on hand.
  • Feel free to experiment with different jams or preserves , for example, you could use strawberry, raspberry, apricot or even marmalade.
  • You could try dairy-free or vegan alternatives to the butter and cream cheese if you or your guests have allergies.

Other Holiday Recipes

A round platter forms an Antipasti Christmas Wreath, with skewers of mozzarella balls, cherry tomatoes, grapes, olives, prosciutto, and rosemary arranged in a circle; raspberries fill the center and two gold forks rest on the side. - 18 A round platter forms an Antipasti Christmas Wreath, with skewers of mozzarella balls, cherry tomatoes, grapes, olives, prosciutto, and rosemary arranged in a circle; raspberries fill the center and two gold forks rest on the side. - 19

Antipasti Christmas Wreath

10 mins

A close-up of a wooden serving board styled as a Holiday Butter Board, topped with whipped cheese, assorted fruit jams, chopped nuts, fresh herbs, and a decorative cheese knife. - 20 A close-up of a wooden serving board styled as a Holiday Butter Board, topped with whipped cheese, assorted fruit jams, chopped nuts, fresh herbs, and a decorative cheese knife. - 21

Holiday Butter Board

20 mins

Two tall champagne flutes filled with an orange-pink Holiday Candy Cane Prosecco, each rimmed with crushed red, green, and white candy, stand on a white countertop with scattered candy. Cozy kitchen background. - 22 Two tall champagne flutes filled with an orange-pink Holiday Candy Cane Prosecco, each rimmed with crushed red, green, and white candy, stand on a white countertop with scattered candy. Cozy kitchen background. - 23

Holiday Candy Cane Prosecco

5 mins

A Holiday Cheese Board featuring various cheeses, salami roses, fresh figs, grapes, cherry tomatoes, olives, crackers, grapefruit slices, rosemary sprigs, and bowls of jam is artfully arranged on a white surface with a linen cloth. - 24 A Holiday Cheese Board featuring various cheeses, salami roses, fresh figs, grapes, cherry tomatoes, olives, crackers, grapefruit slices, rosemary sprigs, and bowls of jam is artfully arranged on a white surface with a linen cloth. - 25

Holiday Cheese Board

20 mins

More Holiday Cookies

Looking for an even fancier-looking cookie? Try my puff pastry cookies .

A plate of Easy Gingerbread Cookies shaped like people, adorned with white icing details, red and green candy buttons, cinnamon sticks, and colorful candies, set on a white surface with a red ribbon and white cloth. - 26 A plate of Easy Gingerbread Cookies shaped like people, adorned with white icing details, red and green candy buttons, cinnamon sticks, and colorful candies, set on a white surface with a red ribbon and white cloth. - 27

Easy Gingerbread Cookies

3 hrs 23 mins

A stack of three powdered almond cookies on a wooden surface. The top cookie has a bite taken out, revealing a soft interior. Whole almonds are scattered around, with more cookies blurred in the background. - 28 A stack of three powdered almond cookies on a wooden surface. The top cookie has a bite taken out, revealing a soft interior. Whole almonds are scattered around, with more cookies blurred in the background. - 29

Italian Amaretti Cookies

25 mins

Close-up of 3 Ingredient Sugar Cookies cooling on a black wire rack. The cookies are round, golden, and have a slightly rough texture from sugar crystals. A pinkish surface is visible in the background. - 30 Close-up of 3 Ingredient Sugar Cookies cooling on a black wire rack. The cookies are round, golden, and have a slightly rough texture from sugar crystals. A pinkish surface is visible in the background. - 31

3 Ingredient Sugar Cookies

20 mins

A plate of Shortbread Butter Cookies topped with red, white, and green sprinkles, surrounded by small holiday gift boxes and pinecones on a white surface. - 32 A plate of Shortbread Butter Cookies topped with red, white, and green sprinkles, surrounded by small holiday gift boxes and pinecones on a white surface. - 33

Shortbread Butter Cookies

27 mins

Common Questions

Feel free to use any jam or preserve you enjoy. I love fig or apricot but you are more than welcome to use any you have on hand.

The lemon extract is optional so don’t worry if you don’t have any on hand. You can also use pure vanilla extract, or almond extract, or leave them plain. Or, if you don’t have pure lemon extract, but still want the flavor, you can also use the zest of a lemon in the recipe.

You MUST refrigerate the cookie dough for at least one hour and you have to use a touch of flour to roll each one as they will stick.

Feel free to freeze the cookie dough tightly wrapped for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge and shape as usual.

The cream cheese and butter must be softened in order for the cookies to bake correctly.

You can use salted or unsalted butter. I have made them with both and both results are delicious.

While 1 cup of flour weighs 160g in my kitchen, it might weigh anywhere from 120 to 180g in your kitchen and there’s a few reasons for that. The weight of ingredients may vary due to the brand of ingredients, the brand and style (wet vs dry) of measuring cups and spoons, and the technique for measuring into cups: scooping and leveling versus spooning the ingredients into the cup measure. For best results, go by the weight listed in the recipe.

A New Recipe Card!!

  1. Check off each step in instructions!
  2. Add ingredients to your shopping list!

Video

Equipment

  • ▢ Measuring Cups + Spoons
  • ▢ Mixing Bowls
  • ▢ Baking Sheet
  • ▢ Parchment Paper

Ingredients

  • ▢ ½ cup cream cheese , softened
  • ▢ ½ cup white sugar
  • ▢ 1 stick softened salted butter
  • ▢ 1.5 teaspoons lemon extract , optional if you don’t have any on hand
  • ▢ 1 ¼ cup all-purpose flour , + 2 extra tablespoons for rolling the balls
  • ▢ 18 teaspoons jam , I used fig preserve

Instructions

  • ▢ In a stand mixer using the paddle attachment, cream the butter and cream cheese together for about 2 minutes or until smooth. You can also use a hand-held mixer and a bowl as well.
  • ▢ Once creamy, add the sugar and lemon extract and mix until smooth. Add in the flour and mix until a sticky dough forms. If there’s any flour on the sides, you can scrape it down and mix again until fully incorporated.
  • ▢ Cover the cookie dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for one hour. After an hour, take out the dough, remove the plastic and use a small ice-cream scooper to scoop out the cookies. I scoop each cookie, roll it in a touch of flour as it will stick to your hands if you don’t.
  • ▢ Repeat this step for all 18 cookies. Place each rolled cookie onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Press each one down with your thumb to make an indent. Add a teaspoon of any jam/preserve you like to the middle.
  • ▢ Preheat the oven to 350F and bake until the edges are light and golden brown. This should take 13-15 minutes depending on the oven.
  • ▢ Let them cool completely and optionally dust with icing sugar. These are perfectly stored at room-temp for up to a week.

My Notes

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.