Description
This One Pot Creamy Tuna and Shells recipe is a comforting and easy-to-make meal featuring tender pasta shells cooked in a savory broth with milk, finished with creamy Dijon mustard and lemon juice, and mixed with protein-rich white albacore tuna. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, it delivers a creamy texture without the need for multiple pots or extensive cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon oil
- 1 medium shallot (or 1/4 cup finely chopped white or yellow onion)
- 2 cloves garlic (finely minced or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
Liquids & Broth
- 1 cup milk
- 2 cups water
- 2 1/4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
Pasta & Seasoning
- 16 ounces small pasta shells
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Creamy Flavorings & Tuna
- 2 tablespoons milk or heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 2 cans (5-ounces each) white albacore tuna (drained)
To Serve
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley (chopped)
- Lemon wedges (for serving)
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: In a 4- or 5-quart pot, heat the oil over medium heat and sauté the shallot (or onion) and garlic for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and softened.
- Simmer Pasta: Stir in the milk, water, chicken broth, pasta shells, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Cook uncovered, stirring often to prevent sticking, until pasta is just al dente according to package directions. Adjust liquid by adding a little more water or broth if necessary, ensuring a bit of liquid remains as the pasta cooks.
- Add Cream & Tuna: Stir in the milk or heavy cream, Dijon mustard, and fresh lemon juice until combined. Gently fold in the drained tuna, mixing carefully to distribute without breaking it up too much.
- Rest & Thicken: Remove the pot from heat and let the pasta rest for 5 to 10 minutes. During this time, the sauce will thicken and the pasta will become creamy.
- Garnish & Serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley on top and serve with lemon wedges on the side for an extra bright flavor boost. Season with additional salt and pepper as desired.
Notes
- Be careful not to overcook the pasta during simmering as it will continue to soften during resting.
- Adding liquids gradually near the end helps avoid a soup-like consistency.
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to better control the salt content.
- Fresh lemon juice brightens up the creamy sauce and balances flavors.
- This recipe is perfect for a quick and comforting weeknight meal needing minimal cleanup.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 415 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 658 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 61 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 17 mg
