Easy Gluten Free Tuna Pesto Pasta

• Chunk Light Tuna: My personal favorite brand of canned tuna is Wild Planet. You can find this at most local grocery stores and some Costcos! They carry canned albacore, skipjack, and yellowfin tuna. Safe Catch is another great brand if you are watching your mercury intake.
• Jovial Foods Fusilli Pasta: This is my favorite gluten-free pasta brand. Feel free to use this or your own favorite! Banza pasta would add in some extra protein.
• Mayo: I like avocado oil mayo from brands like Sir Kensington’s and Primal Kitchen. You can always sub in vegan mayo if you don’t do eggs!
• Pesto: In this recipe, I provide steps to make the easiest homemade creamy basil pesto, but in a pinch, you can always use a jar of your favorite store-bought pesto sauce if desired.
• Nutritional Yeast: This is deactivated yeast that has a “cheesy” flavor. It is a great vegan substitute for parmesan! If you tolerate dairy, feel free to substitute it with regular parmesan cheese.
• Cherry Tomatoes: I used cherry tomatoes cut in half. Feel free to use grape tomatoes or any other variety that you enjoy. 
• Lemon: I prefer to use fresh lemon juice, but you can use a jar in a pinch. 
• Garlic Cloves: Use fresh garlic cloves or a jar of minced garlic. 
• Olive Oil: You can also use avocado oil if that’s what you have on hand. 
• Salt

1. Cook the pasta according to package directions in a large pot, then drain the pasta and set aside.
2. Combine the basil, walnuts, garlic, lemon juice, nutritional yeast, salt, olive oil, mayo, and water in a food processor. Pulse a few times until ALMOST smooth but still a little chunky. 
3. Add the cooked pasta, tomatoes, tuna, and creamy pesto to a large bowl and toss to combine. Serve and enjoy (hot OR cold as a pasta salad)!

Mary’s Tips & Tricks

• Protein: Feel free to substitute chopped cooked (or canned) chicken instead of tuna, or omit the tuna completely. 
• Nut-Free Pesto: If you prefer not to use walnuts, feel free to sub in sunflowers seeds!
• Pasta Water: Saving a little bit of the starchy pasta water adds a really nice creaminess to the dish. Use this if you’re looking for extra creaminess without any dairy! 
• Alternative Pasta: If you’re not gluten intolerant, feel free to swap the gluten-free pasta for your favorite pasta type and shape. Cook according to the package instructions for best results. 
• Tuna: You can use canned tuna packed in water or olive oil. Adjust the additional oil according to which type you use! 

Serving Tips

• Serve hot as a delicious pasta dinner or cold as a pasta salad! If you’re okay with dairy, sprinkle some freshly grated parmesan cheese over the top of each serving. 

Storage Tips

• Store your tuna pesto pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and serve warm or cold. Give it a good stir before serving!

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