Pesto Pasta with Grilled Tuna and Green Beans is a vibrant, Mediterranean-inspired dish that combines the aromatic, herby goodness of pesto with the richness of grilled tuna and the crispness of green beans. This dish offers a perfect balance of textures and flavors, with the creamy, herbaceous pesto complementing the smoky tuna and the fresh green beans, creating a satisfying and healthy meal that’s both light and indulgent.
The base of this dish is pasta, typically spaghetti or any pasta of your choice, cooked al dente. The pasta is then tossed in a generous amount of pesto sauce, made from fresh basil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil. The pesto brings a burst of bright, herbal flavor that coats the pasta beautifully.
The star of the dish is the grilled tuna. Fresh tuna steaks are seasoned simply with salt, pepper, and a touch of olive oil before being grilled to your preferred doneness. The tuna adds a smoky, meaty element to the dish, offering a rich contrast to the fresh, herbaceous pesto. Grilling the tuna enhances its natural flavor, giving it a slightly charred exterior and a tender, juicy interior.
Green beans are lightly blanched or sautéed, adding a crisp texture and a pop of color to the dish. Their slight bitterness provides a lovely contrast to the richness of the pesto and tuna, while also adding a refreshing crunch.
Once everything is prepared, the grilled tuna is sliced and placed atop the pesto-coated pasta, with the green beans tossed in for added freshness and texture. A sprinkle of Parmesan or extra pine nuts can be added for extra richness, or a drizzle of lemon juice for a touch of brightness.
Pesto Pasta with Grilled Tuna and Green Beans is a perfect dish for a light summer dinner, a weekend meal, or when you want something that’s both filling and refreshing. The combination of fresh ingredients, smoky tuna, and aromatic pesto makes it an irresistible choice.
In summary, this dish is a harmonious blend of tender pasta, grilled tuna, and crisp green beans, all brought together with a fragrant, creamy pesto sauce. It’s a perfect balance of flavors and textures, making it a go-to for seafood lovers looking for a fresh and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces whole wheat pasta
- 2 tuna steaks
- 1 cup green beans trimmed
- 1 cup Basil leaves fresh
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese grated
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 Lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Season the tuna steaks with salt and pepper. Grill for 3-4 minutes per side or until desired doneness. Set aside to rest.
- Blanch the green beans in boiling water for 2 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process.
- In a food processor, combine the basil, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Process until smooth.
- In a large bowl, toss the cooked pasta with the pesto sauce. Add the green beans and toss to combine.
- Slice the grilled tuna steaks and serve over the pesto pasta and green beans.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition
Simple and quick! Perfect for a weeknight dinner! Gonna make again.
I didn’t have parmesan, so I used cheddar instead. Not sure if that was a good idea.
Loved it! Healthy and light! Even my picky kids ate it without a fuss!
This was an epic fail for me. My pasta got mushy and the green beans were tough. Maybe I did somethin wrong.
Sorry to hear that! Maybe try cooking the pasta for a shorter time next time? It can get mushy if overcooked.
Yum!!! So fresh and healthy. I don’t even like green beans, but they worked in this. Gonna make it again for sure.
Glad you liked it! The fresh ingredients really make a difference. I’ve never thought of green beans that way, but I’ll give it a shot!
I’m not sure about green beans in pasta. Sounds weird! Can’t they be replaced with broccoli or somethin’?
Meh. Pasta felt bland, I add some hot sauce for flavor.
This dish is amazing! The grilled tuna adds such a nice touch.
I tried it but the pesto was too garlicky for my taste. Maybe cut back on the garlic?
This was a delightful dish! The pesto matched perfectly with the grilled tuna. Will make again!
Absolutely delicious! The pesto sauce was so fresh and paired perfectly with the tuna. Will make again!
Pasta? With fish? Sounds weird but it was actually okay. Maybe I’m just hungry.
Wow, I never woulda thought to put tuna with pasta. Genius! My family loved it.
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Tuna and pasta really do make a great combo. Did you add any extra spices?
Tuna with pasta? Really? Seems kinda weird to me. I think I’d stick to regular sauce.
Pasta and beans? Weird combo! But hey, it worked out okay I guess.
Not bad, but my pasta turned out a bit soggy. Maybe next time I’ll cook it less.
Eh, it was alright. Maybe I just don’t like basil. 🤷♀️
I get it! Basil’s a strong flavor. You might like it better without. Have you tried spinach or arugula instead?
Isn’t tuna supposed to be rare?? I overcooked mine, now I’m sad. 🤦♂️
Aw, that’s too bad! Tuna is best when it’s a bit pink inside, but don’t be too hard on yourself. Maybe try it again next time! 😊
I tried this recipe, and the tuna was way too fishy for my taste. I would skip the grilling next time.
Looks good but I don’t trust cooking fish at home. What if I mess it up?
Nah, just microwave it instead. No point in complicating things with fish though. Pasta is easy peasy!
I totally understand where you’re coming from. Fish can be tricky! But if you follow the grilling time, it should turn out great. Just give it a try, you might surprise yourself!
This is the best recipe ever! I love how the tuna and pesto come together. Totally going to make it again!
Looks fancy, but I’m not sure about mixing tuna with pasta. Doesn’t really seem right… 🤔
Yum! So fresh and tasty. Made this for my family and they loved it. Easy to follow recipe too.
I don’t understand why you’d put tuna with pasta… Kinda weird combo if you ask me. Only gave it 2 stars.
A true culinary masterpiece! So rich in flavor! But where’s the red pepper flakes? It needs a kick!
Totally agree! A little red pepper would really take it up a notch. I love spicy! 🌶️
What’s this about red pepper flakes? Pesto is supposed to be subtle! I’m confuse.
My kids didn’t eat it. They said it was too weird. I guess they don’t know good food :/
This was the best meal I’ve made in ages! So fresh and flavorful. 😍
I tried this and the flavors were good but the tuna was overcooked. Maybe lessen the grilling time?
Pasta didn’t blend with the pesto well. Too thick! I added more olive oil tho.
Pasta good! Fish not so much… Can I use chicken instead? 🤔
Super easy to make! I used some leftover chicken instead of tuna and it was still great!
Great idea! I never thought of using chicken. Might try that next time. Thanks for sharing!
Yum! My kids loved it. Who knew green beans could taste so good?
I substituted yogurt for the cheese to make it healthy and it was still superb!
That’s a great idea! Yogurt is such a good substitute. Glad it turned out superb for you!
I tried this but used chicken instead of tuna. Still came out delicious!