TUNA PENNE PASTA RECIPES

Steps:

• 1. Preheat the oven to 200ºC/400ºF/gas 6. Peel and finely chop the onion and garlic. Place a large shallow pan over a medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of oil, the onion, garlic and chilli flakes (if using) and fry for 5 to 10 minutes, or until softened, stirring occasionally. Turn the heat up to high and pour in the chopped tomatoes. Tear the leaves from the basil stalks, keeping a few pretty ones aside for later, and stir them into the sauce. Bring to the boil, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes.
  2. Meanwhile, place a large pan of water on to boil. Once boiling, add a good pinch of salt followed by the pasta. Cook according to the packet instructions, draining just before it’s done – it’ll finish cooking in the oven.
  3. Drain the tuna and stir through the sauce, making sure you don’t break it up too much. Season with a tiny pinch of salt and a generous pinch of black pepper. When the pasta is ready, drain and tip straight into the sauce. Toss and coat the pasta in the sauce, then transfer to an ovenproof baking dish (roughly 25cm x 30cm).
  4. Coarsely grate the cheese and sprinkle over the pasta. Arrange the reserved basil leaves on top, then sprinkle lightly with black pepper. Drizzle lightly with oil, then place in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until golden and bubbling. Leave to stand for 5 minutes, then serve with a nice salad.

Steps:

• 1. Halve, wash and finely slice the white part of the leek (save the green leafy part for making stock or soup). Halve, deseed and finely chop the chilli (if using), and peel and finely chop the garlic.
  2. Place a large non-stick frying pan on a medium heat with ½ a tablespoon of olive oil. Add the chopped veg to the pan and cook for 5 minutes, or until softened, stirring regularly.
  3. Scrunch in the tomatoes (or break them up with a wooden spoon). Quarter-fill the tin with water, swirl it around to pick up the last bits of tomato and pour it into the pan.
  4. Drain and flake in the tuna, then add a pinch of black pepper and a tiny pinch of sea salt. Bring to the boil, then turn the heat down and leave to simmer, stirring regularly, while you cook your pasta.
  5. Cook the pasta in a large pan of boiling salted water according to the packet instructions, then drain, reserving a mugful of the starchy cooking water.
  6. Add the pasta to the sauce, pour in a little of the reserved pasta water to help the sauce stick, then stir well over the heat.
  7. Use tongs to divide the pasta between your bowls. Pick and finely slice the basil leaves, then scatter over the top, and serve with a good grating of Parmesan cheese.