When hunger strikes at midnight and the idea of waiting for an elaborate meal seems impossible, Nighttime Pasta becomes your perfect ally.
This quick recipe, ready in just 25 minutes, is the ideal compromise between taste and simplicity. With only 650 calories per serving, it offers a tasty solution without weighing on your conscience or stomach.
The main attraction lies in its balance: light enough not to weigh down your dreams but satisfying enough to quell that late-night hunger.
Let yourself be seduced by the ease and speed of Nighttime Pasta; it could become your new favorite recipe for those rushed evenings or late-night hunger pangs.
Recipe Notes
- DIFFICULTY: Easy and quick
- PRO: Ready in 25 minutes
- CONS: High in calories, 650 calories per serving
- PREPARATION: 10 minutes preparation
- COOKING TIME: 15 minutes cooking time
- SUITABLE FOR: Evenings with limited time available
Notes on Recipe Ingredients
Discover how to turn simple ingredients into an irresistible nighttime dish.
- Short Pasta: A versatile base, perfect for holding creamy sauces.
- Bechamel Sauce: Adds creaminess and binds the other ingredients together.
- Cream: For an even more velvety and rich texture.
- Tuna in Oil: A source of protein and intense sea flavor.
- Olive Paste: A Mediterranean touch that adds character to the dish.
- Olive Oil: Used for sautéing, brings fruity notes and authenticity.
- Red Chili Pepper: Moderately spicy according to personal taste.
- Nutmeg: A key spice to flavor the bechamel with a unique aromatic touch.
Nutritional Values of the Tasty and Quick Dish
This culinary preparation offers an interesting mix of flavors and nutrients, but there are some aspects to consider carefully:
- Short Pasta: provides complex carbohydrates, essential for energy.
- Bechamel and Cream: increase the caloric content of the dish, providing saturated fats.
- Tuna in Oil: is a good source of proteins and Omega-3 fatty acids, beneficial for the heart.
- Olive Paste and Olive Oil: contribute with healthy monounsaturated fats for the cardiovascular system.
- Red Chili Pepper and Nutmeg: add antioxidants useful in fighting free radicals.
However, with 650 calories per serving, this recipe could be considered high-energy. It is advisable to consume it in moderation, especially if you are following a calorie-controlled diet.
Nighttime Pasta: Quick Tuna Recipe
Ingredients
- 350 g Short Pasta
- 200 g Bechamel Sauce
- 200 g Cream
- 150 g Tuna in Oil
- 2 tbsp. Olive Paste
- 2 tbsp. Olive Oil
- 1 pinch Red Chili Pepper optional
- 1 pinch Nutmeg optional
Instructions
- While the pasta is cooking, sauté the tuna with the oil and olive paste in a large skillet. When everything is well browned and chopped, add the béchamel sauce and cream; cook a few more minutes, adding a pinch of red pepper or nutmeg to taste.
- Drain the pasta al dente in the skillet and season by tossing over the heat.
Notes
Variations for a Quick and Tasty Dinner
If you are looking for ideas to vary your quick evening dinner, here are some proposals that might suit your taste. For those who love bolder flavors, replacing tuna in oil with anchovy fillets can offer that extra touch. If you prefer a sweeter and less spicy taste, try removing the red chili pepper and adding a pinch of sugar to the bechamel sauce.
Vegetable lovers can enhance the dish with fresh spinach or artichoke wedges, to be briefly sautéed in a pan with a drizzle of olive oil before the final addition. For those open to experimenting with international flavors, a sprinkle of curry instead of nutmeg can completely transform the culinary experience.
Finally, for those seeking a dairy-free option, replacing bechamel and cream with plant-based alternatives like soy cream or condensed coconut milk will make the dish suitable for vegans and lactose intolerant individuals as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Some frequently asked questions from our readers.
What type of pasta can I use for the Nighttime Pasta?
You can use short pasta such as penne, farfalle, or fusilli.
How can I substitute oil-packed tuna?
You can substitute oil-packed tuna with fresh tuna previously sautéed in a pan with a drizzle of olive oil.
Can I omit the red chili pepper from the recipe if I don’t like spicy food?
Yes, you can absolutely omit the red chili pepper from the recipe without compromising the final result. Customize the ingredients according to your taste!
