Tuna and Zucchini: 4 Ways to Eat Well This Summer
What happens when tuna meets zucchini? These four Italian recipes — from a chilled pasta you make the night before to a quick weeknight skillet — show exactly how far this combination goes.
Light Meals For Hot Days
Tuna and zucchini are one of those Italian summer combinations that works in almost any format — chilled pasta, cold rice, a quick spaghetti, or a simple skillet. All four recipes here come together in under 30 minutes, and the cold dishes are worth making ahead so they're ready straight from the fridge.
Cold pasta with tuna and zucchini
Cold pasta with tuna and zucchini is a no-fuss summer main course that you can make ahead and serve straight from the fridge. Tender pasta, tuna in oil, zucchini, and toasted pine nuts come together quickly for a flavorful Italian-style pasta salad.
Pro tip: toss the pasta with the tuna and zucchini while it’s still slightly warm so it absorbs more flavor, then chill and add the toasted pine nuts just before serving to keep their crunch.
Cold Rice with Tuna, Zucchini, and Lemon
Cold Rice with Tuna, Zucchini, and Lemon is built for the hottest days, when you want something light but still satisfying. Whole rice, tuna, and zucchini are brightened with lemon for a chilled dish that feels refreshing instead of heavy.
Pro tip: cook the rice until just tender, then cool it completely before adding the tuna, zucchini, and lemon so the grains stay distinct and the citrusy flavor stays fresh.
Spaghetti with tuna and zucchini
Spaghetti with tuna and zucchini is a simple, comforting pasta that still feels light enough for warm evenings. Chunks of tuna in oil are tossed with delicious fried zucchini, coating the spaghetti with a delicate, flavorful sauce.
Pro tip: fry the zucchini until golden at the edges, then fold them gently into the pasta with the tuna so they keep their tender texture instead of breaking apart.
Pan-fried zucchini and tuna
Pan-fried zucchini and tuna is an easy, quick main course that’s ready in just a few minutes. Baby zucchini, tuna in oil, zucchini blossoms, and aromatic herbs make a light yet flavorful skillet dish that’s ideal for weeknights.
Pro tip: add the zucchini blossoms and herbs at the end of cooking so they stay tender and aromatic, bringing freshness to the warm zucchini and tuna.
Summer-Friendly And Satisfying
The cold pasta and rice are the ones to make the night before — they absorb the flavors as they chill and taste better the next day. The spaghetti and skillet are for when you want something warm on the table fast, with almost nothing to clean up afterward.
