The cupboards are almost bare and you haven't had time to shop. What's a busy mom to do? Check in your cupboards, I'm sure you have some spaghetti, a can of tomatoes, and some tuna. Throw it all together and you have a tasty, quick dinner that doesn't break the bank. You can omit the olives if you like, but the saltiness is nice. Grate some fresh parmesan over top and serve with a crunchy salad and fresh bread to sop up the juices.
Ingredients:
1 onion, chopped
2 garlic, minced
1 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp pepper
1 can of chunk tuna, drained
1 can (28 oz) diced tomatoes (Italian are best, the juice is nice and thick)
2-3 tbsp tomato paste
pinch hot pepper flakes
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tsp sugar
1/3 cup black sliced olives, drained
1/2 tsp grated lemon rind
8-12 oz of pasta
Saute the onion and garlic over medium heat in a bit of olive oil, stirring, until it is soft and translucent. Stir in the tomatoes, mashing them up with a spoon so they aren't quite so chunky. They'll cook down, don't worry about it too much. Add the oregano, pepper, hot pepper flakes, tomato paste, and sugar. Bring to a boil and then turn the heat down to let it simmer. Let the sauce simmer for about 20 minutes or so until it's thickened. You can add a little more tomato paste if you find it's still a bit too funny for your taste. Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain. Stir in the lemon rind, olives, and balsamic vinegar and lastly the tuna just before serving.I like to toss the pasta with the sauce in a large bowl before serving and topping with a fresh grating of parmesan cheese.
Serves 4
Adapted from Canadian Living
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