Sometimes, a warm summer day calls for a light, flavorful meal that comes together effortlessly. This summery pasta with green beans and tuna is exactly that - a dish that is fresh, nutritious, and wonderfully simple. Perfect for a light lunch, a summer dinner, or just a quick and tasty weekday meal. Be surprised by the simplicity and richness of this delightful combination!
Pasta with green beans and tuna
Ingredients
- 200 grams green beans French green beans
- 160 grams short pasta eg butterfly pasta
- 130 grams canned tuna 1 can
- 50 grams arugula salad
- 10 cherry tomatoes
- 10 Kalamata olives
- 1 red onion
Dressing
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon mustard
Instructions
Some preparations
- Cut the cherry tomatoes and the Kalamata olives into quarters.
- Remove the skin from the red onion. Halve it and then cut it into thin rings.
- Remove the ends of the beans. Then cut them into smaller pieces.
- Drain the tuna and then crush it into small pieces with a fork.
- Now mix the following ingredients in a large bowl: tuna, cherry tomatoes, Kalamata olives, red onion and rocket salad.
the dressing
- Mix the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, white wine vinegar and mustard in a bowl to make a dressing. Add pepper to taste.
- Now mix the dressing with the other ingredients in the large bowl.
Cooking the pasta and the beans
- Bring enough water to the boil and cook the pasta in it for twelve minutes.
- After seven minutes (five minutes before the end) also add the green beans.
- Drain the pasta and the beans and cool them under cold water.
- Now mix the pasta and the beans under the salad. And already your delicious summer bean pasta with tuna is ready.
Nutrition
How to make a green bean pasta with tuna?
You don't need more than half an hour to prepare this summery green bean pasta with tuna - perfect for a tasty and nutritious meal on a warm summer evening.
Some preparations
We start by prepping the vegetables and tuna. You're free to cut them finer or coarser to suit your taste.
First, quarter the cherry tomatoes and Kalamata olives. If you're in a rush, halving them works too.
Then trim the stems off the arugula salad and chop it into fine, roughly two-centimeter pieces.
The green beans require the most work-gather about five at a time, trim both ends, and then halve them or cut into smaller pieces.
Now peel the red onion, halve it, and slice it into thin rings.
Drain the canned tuna and mash it with a fork.
Finally, aside from the beans, mix all ingredients in a large bowl.
Cooking the pasta and beans
Boil water in a large pot and cook the butterfly pasta for 12 minutes (or follow the cooking time on the package).
Five minutes before the pasta is done, add the French green beans - they cook quickly and taste best with a slight crunch.
Once the pasta and beans are ready, drain them and rinse with cold water to stop further cooking. Then mix them with the other ingredients.
Making the dressing
This part is really easy - combine olive oil, balsamic vinegar, white wine vinegar, and mustard into a vinaigrette. Add black pepper to taste.
Mix the dressing with the salad, taste, and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
And voilà! You have a fresh, light, and delicious summer dish ready to enjoy.
Green beans, French beans, other beans...
Green beans, French beans, haricots vert, string beans, … Beans come in so many ways and especially names. But are they all the same or not?
Green beans are a more overarching term for different kinds of beans that have a green color. French beans, or haricots vert, is a type of bean that originates from France. They are typically harvested before being ripe. Then the seeds inside are still very soft. They have a short cooking time and fit perfectly for French cuisine or a "salade nicoise". They also suit perfectly well for this recipe.
Read more about different kinds of beans and their differences:
- Unraveling the mystery: are French beans the same as green beans? (Home dining kitchen).
- What is the difference between French style green beans and regular green beans? (The Kitchen Know How).
- Different types and varieties of green beans (with names and pictures) (Farming thing).
- Understanding green beans: what are their other names? (Home dining kitchen).
More surprising.beans
Beans might be small, but they are nutritional powerhouses that have been a staple food for cultures worldwide for centuries. Not only are beans excellent for your health, but they are also incredibly versatile in the kitchen. From hearty stews and vibrant salads to creamy dips and plant-based meat alternatives, beans can be transformed into countless delicious dishes. Their ability to absorb flavors makes them an essential ingredient in cuisines across the globe.
Beyond nutrition and taste, beans play an important role in sustainable agriculture. As nitrogen-fixing plants, they enrich the soil, making them a valuable crop for farmers while reducing the need for chemical fertilizers. Their low environmental footprint makes them a favorite in eco-conscious diets.
Here you can find more surprising recipes with beans:
- Turkey with green beans and fried potatoes.
- Authentic "salade LIègeoise".
- Salade Nicoise.
- Homemade tofu from soy beans.
If you speak Dutch, you can find the Dutch version of this recipe on gerechtenweb.blog.
