Easy Sicilian Style Tuna Pasta

Ingredients

• 25 g tin anchovy fillets in oil ((freeze any leftovers for next time))
• 2 tablespoons capers
• 4 tablespoons black olives (halved)
• 1/2 teaspoon dried chilli flakes ((or more if you love chilli!))
• 2 cloves garlic (sliced or crushed)
• 400 g tin chopped tomatoes
• Black pepper
• 300 g penne pasta ((or whatever shape you prefer))
• 160 g tin tuna chunks or steak (drained)
• Juice of half a lemon
• Small handful of basil (chopped)

Instructions

1. 1

   Put the anchovies and a little of the anchovy oil in the pan and heat over a very low heat, breaking up the anchovies with a spoon.

2. 2

   Next, add the capers, olives, garlic and chilli to the pan. Cook everything, stirring regularly, for about 2 minutes, until the anchovies have dissolved completely and the garlic is cooked but not burnt.

3. 3

   Add the tin of tomatoes and black pepper and bring to the boil, then turn down to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally.

4. 4

   Next, put your pasta on to boil. Cook the pasta until it is just al dente – this should take about 10 minutes.

5. 5

   When your pasta is about a minute away from being ready, add the tuna to the tomato sauce along with the lemon juice and half the basil. Stir and break up the tuna a little, but not completely.

6. 6

   Drain the pasta and tip it into the sauce, along with a tablespoon or two of the cooking water.

7. 7

   Stir everything together and serve scattered with the rest of the basil and a couple of extra twists of black pepper.