Easy Nicoise Pasta

Bowl of nicoise pasta with glass of wine

Among the more noteworthy recommendations from the most recent Dietary Guidelines was the advice that Americans eat more seafood. We collectively fall woefully short of the recommended two to three weekly servings.  Part of the challenge is knowing what to buy and what to do with it once you get it home, not to mention the fact that some varieties can come with a hefty price tag. All of this is exactly why I’m posting this Easy Nicoise Pasta. It’s a terrific way to eat more fish that’s affordable and tasty, even for the less confident cook.

Fish Done Simply

The recipe is a spin on a traditional Nicoise salad. I’ve taken some of the core ingredients of this French classic and turned it into a main-dish pasta. The fish in the equation is canned tuna, which means it couldn’t be more convenient (included in my list of Top 10 Healthy Convenience Foods). And if you think canned tuna doesn’t have a place in quality cooking, consider the fact that even the French, gastronomes that they are, rely more on canned tuna than fresh when it comes to their beloved Nicoise (or so say my two most reliable Francofiles).

Skillet of easy nicoise pasta

And Good for You Too

The other upside of Tuna Nicoise Pasta is that it’s a nourishing one-dish meal. Tuna provides a terrific source of affordable protein, B vitamins, and selenium. Cherry tomatoes (so good this time of year) and green beans check the veggies box, and penne pasta makes this supremely family-friendly (certainly in my house). If you are lucky enough to have leftovers, it travels well in a lunch box too.

bowl with fork of pasta with beans and tomatoes and tuna with glass of wine

If you like Easy Nicoise Pasta, check out these other seafood dishes:

Weeknight Spaghetti and Clams

Halibut in Parchment with Corn and Mushrooms

Farro, Fennel, and Tuna Salad

Baja-Style Shrimp Tacos

Brothy Clams with Chorizo and Tomatoes, a recipe I created for Simply Recipes

bowl with fork of pasta with beans and tomatoes and tuna with glass of wine
5 from 3 votes
Print

Easy Nicoise Pasta

This tasty dish takes everything that’s appealing about the traditional French Nicoise salad and transforms it into an easy weeknight supper. Colorful, flavorful, and healthful, this pasta is packed with protein, vegetables, and fresh basil, all with a family-friendly price tag. It can also be enjoyed room temperature as a pasta salad. 

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Servings 3 to 4
Calories 456 kcal
Author Katie Morford

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces penne pasta
  • 8 ounces green beans, trimmed (snapped in half if very long)
  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 large cloves garlic, thinly sliced
  • 2 anchovy filets packed in oil, finely chopped (optional)
  • 1 heaping cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 2 five-ounce cans tuna drained
  • ½ cup pitted kalamata olives, torn in half
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • Parmesan cheese for serving

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne and cook for 8 minutes. Add the green beans to the pot and cook until the penne is done, about 2 more minutes. Scoop up ½ cup of pasta water and set aside. Drain the pasta and beans in a colander.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium. Add the garlic and anchovies saute for about 1 minute, being sure the garlic doesn’t brown or burn. Add the tomatoes, tuna (flaking it into pieces with a fork), olives, basil, and half the pasta cooking water. Stir well. Add the cooked pasta and beans, salt, and several generous grinds of black pepper. Stir well. Tastes and add more salt and pepper if needed, and more pasta cooking water if the pasta isn't moist enough.

  3. Remove from heat and serve in bowls with Parmesan cheese to grate over the top.

Comments

09.13.2016 at10:02 AM #

Christina

This looks great! Will make it next week for sure. I always have great luck at the Whole Foods fish area – the guys there are great. I get whatever happens to be on sale and ask them how to cook it. Now I have a “note” in my phone with all of the preparations for different kinds of fish.

09.13.2016 at10:02 AM #

Katie Morford

Brilliant. I do the same at the fish counter (and the farmers’ market where I sometimes buy fish). I often get great ideas that way. I’m excited to share more seafood recipes as part of this series. Got some good ones!

09.28.2016 at3:22 AM #

Susan

This was delicious — thanks! We made it as written, except we roasted the green beans. So yummy and simple!

09.28.2016 at3:22 AM #

Katie Morford

I have to say, I’ve never roasted green beans before. Must try! Thanks for the tip and glad you enjoyed it.

01.31.2017 at7:49 PM #

Carolina

This was incredible, simple and so flavorful!
I used leftover penne pasta, garlic, parm cheese, fresh basil from
turkey meatballs ( which were a huge hit ), so refreshing.

Thank you

02.10.2020 at11:08 PM #

Rose Martine

Thank you for this great post. Your ketchup recipe is a staple in my kitchen! I just made another batch yesterday 🙂

03.31.2020 at1:18 AM #

Rubi Kaur

I have been pre-cooking ground beef for a long time – it is just so much easier to do it once and be done with if for a while. Sometimes I cook a batch that is just plain ground beef – and then I’ll do another batch and add green peppers and onions. I also store mine in freezer zip lock bags due to the storage issue – much easier to store flat.

12.15.2022 at9:52 PM #

Paul Brown

I’m making this for dinner tonight I’ll let you know how it turns out. But I looks good anyways.

Post Your Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating