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Spicy Tuna Sauce

By America's Test Kitchen

Published on August 2, 2011

Yield

Serves 4 to 6 (Makes enough to sauce 1 lb of pasta)

Spicy Tuna Sauce

Ingredients

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 2 cloves garlic, minced¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes 2 (6-ounce) cans water-packed tuna, drained⅓ cup drained capers 1 cup pitted kalamata olives, chopped1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes 2 teaspoons sugar ¼ cup chopped fresh basil

Instructions

  1. Heat oil, garlic, cayenne, and pepper flakes in large skillet over medium heat until fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Add tuna, capers, and olives and toss to combine. Stir in tomatoes and sugar, cover, and simmer over medium-low heat until flavors are blended, about 20 minutes. Season with salt (sparingly) and pepper.
  2. Toss sauce and basil with cooked pasta and serve.
Spicy Tuna Sauce

Spicy Tuna Sauce

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By America's Test Kitchen
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Yield

Serves 4 to 6 (Makes enough to sauce 1 lb of pasta)

Ingredients

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 (6-ounce) cans water-packed tuna, drained
⅓ cup drained capers
1 cup pitted kalamata olives, chopped
1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes
2 teaspoons sugar
¼ cup chopped fresh basil

Ingredients

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 (6-ounce) cans water-packed tuna, drained
⅓ cup drained capers
1 cup pitted kalamata olives, chopped
1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes
2 teaspoons sugar
¼ cup chopped fresh basil

Ingredients

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 (6-ounce) cans water-packed tuna, drained
⅓ cup drained capers
1 cup pitted kalamata olives, chopped
1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes
2 teaspoons sugar
¼ cup chopped fresh basil

Why This Recipe Works

Tasters preferred water-packed tuna in this Spicy Tuna Sauce. Oil-packed varieties made the sauce heavy and greasy. Cooking the red pepper flakes with the garlic intensified their flavor. A little sugar balanced the acidity of the tomato

Instructions

  1. Heat oil, garlic, cayenne, and pepper flakes in large skillet over medium heat until fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Add tuna, capers, and olives and toss to combine. Stir in tomatoes and sugar, cover, and simmer over medium-low heat until flavors are blended, about 20 minutes. Season with salt (sparingly) and pepper.
  2. Toss sauce and basil with cooked pasta and serve.

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