A Classic Pantry Pasta for Bac...

Although my kid went again to high school this yr (kindergarten, waaah!), September all the time pulls me again into my personal childhood and the exhausting, exhilarating first weeks of college. And this yr I can not cease excited about my mother’s chilly tuna pasta. Rising up, my mom labored as a caterer, and he or she stored this dish in heavy rotation each at residence and on the job. As a child, I believed she made it rather a lot simply because it was good. Now I perceive: This pasta can be filling and stunning and quick‚ to not point out made principally with pantry components. A real pinch-hitter for the chaos of fall.

The recipe comes from a ’90s traditional, The Working Families Cookbook (at the moment out of print, however broadly accessible used!). This linguine is nothing just like the mayonnaise-y stuff I image when somebody mentions tuna pasta. It’s brilliant and briny and balanced with toasted pine nuts. And, not for nothing, I used to be not into fish till I used to be like 30, however the tuna aspect by no means phased me as a child.

The unique recipe doesn’t instruct you to serve it chilly, however that’s how I’ve usually had it (as a result of leftovers), and personally I believe that’s when it’s at its greatest. I prefer to make an enormous batch on a Sunday night, benefit from the first spherical at room temp for dinner, after which stash the remaining within the fridge for Monday’s lunch. No reheating required!

Linguine with Tuna
Very calmly tailored from The Working Families Cookbook, by Irena Chalmers

3 tbsp pine nuts
1/4 cup olive oil
1 medium pink onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1/4 tsp pink pepper flakes
8-ounce jar of roasted pink peppers
16 ounces linguine
1 can oil-packed tuna (water-packed will do superb in a pinch!)
juice of half a lemon
3 tbsp capers
3 tbsp recent parsley, chopped

Toast pine nuts in a dry pan over a medium warmth. As soon as they begin to flip brown and fragrant, rapidly yank them off the warmth and put them in a small dish for later. Subsequent, add the oil and onion to the pan and prepare dinner for about 5 minutes over a medium warmth, till the onion softens. Add garlic and pink pepper flakes to the pan. With a fork, pull your peppers from the jar and provides them a shake earlier than popping them into the pan. If the peppers appear too large to chew, use a spatula to interrupt them up a bit within the pan. Sauté all the pieces collectively for 3-4 minutes, nudging sometimes along with your spatula. Take away from warmth and let sit.

Carry a big pot of salted water to a boil and add your pasta. Prepare dinner instances can fluctuate a little bit (test the directions in your field), however I prefer to prepare dinner till al dente. The chew is sweet! Pour pasta right into a strainer, and go away it to empty whilst you end the remaining. Scoop the tuna right into a serving bowl and break it up a little bit with a fork. Add the lemon juice, capers, and parsley, and provides it a fast stir. Mix pasta with the opposite components (besides the pine nuts), and toss all the pieces collectively along with your fork or some tongs. FYI: It can by no means look even or uniform, so don’t fear about tossing till it’s excellent. I promise, it is going to style good.

Serve instantly — or not! Cowl with a fabric and go away it on the counter for 20 minutes if you wish to serve at room temp, or stick it within the fridge for an hour or so. Everytime you’re able to serve, sprinkle on the pine nuts, give it one other good toss and go!

Notice: For leftovers or giant party-size, contemplate swapping the linguine for bowtie pasta. Personally, I like the feel of day-old linguine, however some would possibly discover it a little bit stiff. Bowtie pasta is best on this regard, and it’s positively simpler to serve for a crowd!

Do you’ve gotten any childhood favorites that you simply’ve rediscovered as an grownup? They’re all the time one of the best recipes!

P.S. Simpler dinners for busy weeknights:
* the best spaghetti sauce you’ll ever have
* chicken parm meatballs
* Trader Joe’s meal hacks
* salmon for beginners
* pasta with broccoli pesto
* pan-fried pizzas
* dumpling salad
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* the fish sandwich Jenny makes once a week
* kale, sausage and beans a.k.a “The KSB”
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* lazy man’s ratatouille
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* 11 readers share their go-to recipes
* how to get your kids to talk at dinner
* and the #1 thing we’d tell new parents about family dinner