Description
This One Pot Creamy Tuna and Shells recipe is a comforting and easy-to-make meal featuring tender pasta shells cooked in a creamy broth with savory white albacore tuna. Combining shallots, garlic, milk, and Dijon mustard, this dish is enhanced with a fresh touch of lemon juice and parsley. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, it delivers a rich, creamy texture without the fuss of multiple pots.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon oil
- 1 medium shallot (or 1/4 cup finely chopped white or yellow onion)
- 2 cloves garlic (finely minced or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
Liquids & Broth
- 1 cup milk
- 2 cups water
- 2 1/4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
Pasta & Seasonings
- 16 ounces small pasta shells
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Cream & Flavorings
- 2 tablespoons milk or heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Tuna & Garnishes
- 2 cans (5 ounces each) white albacore tuna (drained)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley (chopped)
- Lemon wedges (for serving)
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: In a 4- or 5-quart pot, heat the oil over medium heat and sauté the shallot (or onion) and garlic for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and softened.
- Cook Pasta in Broth: Stir in the milk, water, chicken broth, pasta shells, salt, and pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer, cooking uncovered and stirring often to prevent sticking. Cook until the pasta is al dente, usually according to package directions, though it may take a bit longer. Add more liquid gradually if needed to keep some broth in the pot. Ensure the pasta remains at a simmer and not a vigorous boil.
- Add Cream and Flavor: Once pasta is tender but still firm, stir in the additional milk or heavy cream, Dijon mustard, and fresh lemon juice to create a creamy sauce.
- Incorporate Tuna: Gently fold in the drained tuna, mixing just until combined to maintain some chunkiness. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
- Rest and Thicken: Let the pasta mixture rest off the heat for 5-10 minutes. This allows the sauce to thicken and flavors to meld, resulting in a creamy texture.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges on the side. Drizzle additional lemon juice on individual servings if desired for added brightness.
Notes
- Be careful not to overcook the pasta in the initial simmer step, as it will continue to soften during resting.
- If the mixture becomes too dry during cooking, add more broth or water a little at a time to avoid a soupy finish.
- This recipe works well with either shallots or mild onions depending on your preference.
- Use low-sodium broth to control salt levels and prevent the dish from becoming too salty.
- For a dairy-free option, substitute milk and cream with unsweetened plant-based milk alternatives.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 415 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 658 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 61 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 17 mg
