Spaghetti with Fresh Tuna (Twist on Ahi Tuna Steak)

Spaghetti with Fresh Tuna, zucchini, lemon juice, and crispy bread crumbs is a modern Sicilian dish, offering a fresh twist on Ahi Tuna Steak. Tender pieces of seared tuna are sautéed in one skillet and tossed with spaghetti for a delicious seafood dinner. And, it is exquisite! With our easy-to-follow steps, you can make this gourmet dish that tastes amazing!

Sicily and Spaghetti with Fresh Tuna

While in Sicily, we ordered a popular dish recommended by the restaurant’s owner and chef. It was spaghetti tossed with fresh chunks of tuna, topped with crispy breadcrumbs. It was so fantastic that I had to ask the waiter about the ingredients, and I realized this recipe is very easy to make.

Basically, this recipe is about putting a “modern twist” on an old classic dish, and the Sicilian chefs do it with ease!

Fresh tuna is tossed with cooked spaghetti in a creamy zucchini sauce made with olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, and fresh zucchini. YUM! The best part is that the flavors are incredible, and the dish is topped with toasted bread crumbs that elevate the flavors even more!

How To Make This Spaghetti with Fresh Tuna?

Here is a seafood dish you’re going to love! And, the best part? You can easily make this at home in your kitchen with only a few simple ingredients and step-by-step photos.

Ingredients overview for this recipe:

This recipe is very straightforward, with a few easy-to-follow steps requiring a little patience in the prep work. But, in the end, it is worth the effort. Trust me!

• Fresh Tuna Steak: Choose a small piece of fresh tuna steak, and about 1/4 pound, (128g).
• Zucchini: You will need only 1 cup (packed) of zucchini finely grated, which is about 1/2 of a medium-sized zucchini.
• Virgin Olive Oil: Choose good-quality extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor. It is the base for the sauce.
• Garlic Cloves: Some garlic is always an ingredient for our seafood recipes. And, you will need 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped.
• Fresh Lemons: Some fresh lemon juice and zest are needed for its zesty flavor.
• Bread Crumbs: Bread crumbs are classic in most Sicilian dishes, and they are fabulous – so don’t leave them out! Plain bread crumbs get toasted in a skillet with some olive oil, for about 5 minutes.
• Seasonings: Some salt and black pepper to season the tuna steak.
• Grated Parmesan Cheese: For more flavor, some grated Parmesan cheese is added to the toasted bread crumbs.

Let’s Make It!

Directions To Make This Spaghetti with Fresh Tuna:

*Our full recipe card is located at the bottom. But first, here are the steps to making this fabulous dish:

1. FIRST STEP: Start Boiling Water: Place a large pot filled with water on medium-high heat. Toss in 2 teaspoons of salt into the pot, and cover. Bring it to a full boil.
2. SECOND STEP: Prepare the Tuna: Meanwhile, season the tuna steak with some salt and black pepper. Then cut them into small cubes and set them aside.

3. THIRD: Toast The Bread Crumbs: In a small skillet, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil, turn on low heat, and add the bread crumbs. Stir the bread crumbs until the oil is completely absorbed, stirring occasionally until the bread crumbs turn golden brown, then turn off the heat. Next, stir in 2 teaspoons of parmesan cheese, and set it aside.

4. FOURTH STEP: Make the Zucchini Sauce: Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large, deep skillet. Toss in the garlic and simmer until the garlic turns golden brown. Next, add the shredded zucchini and stir with the garlic. Add some salty boiling water to the skillet (about 1/2 cup) and simmer the zucchini until it almost melts and is creamy. Then turn off the heat.

5. NEXT STEP: Cook the Spaghetti: When the water in a large pot is boiling, toss in the spaghetti. Cook the spaghetti until very al-dente. Then, using the claw, pull the spaghetti and transfer the spaghetti from the pot to the skillet with the zucchini mixture. Turn on low heat under the skillet.

6. FINAL STEP: Finish The Sauce! Pour the lemon juice and zest over the spaghetti. Add the fresh tuna cubes and gently toss all together until well combined and the tuna cooks. If you need additional liquid for the sauce, add some salty pasta water to the skillet, and continue to mix and stir. Taste the spaghetti, and adjust for salt, if needed. Turn off the heat.

7. Serve spaghetti in individual pasta dishes, scatter with toasted bread crumbs on top, and serve. … and Buon Appetito!

Storing Leftovers

• Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container and kept chilled in the refrigerator. It’s best to consume within 2 days. After 2 days, discard leftovers, and make a fresh batch.
• If you prefer, you can freeze leftovers, but only for up to 1 month. After that, we recommend you cook up a fresh batch.

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• Spaghetti with Shrimp Marinara
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• Spaghetti with Little Neck Clams
• Easy Shrimp Spaghetti

Your comments help us! Tried our Sicilian-style spaghetti with fresh tuna? Let us know and leave a comment below, and don’t forget the stars! And, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts! 🙂

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Have a Delicious Day! Happy Cooking 🙂