Pirate Pasta

By KDHarmon

Ingredients

• Kosher salt
• 1 pound penne
• 1 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese (6 ounces)
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 8 ounces mushrooms, such as cremini, button or shiitake, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled and left whole
• Freshly ground pepper
• 1/2 cup medium green olives (about 18), pitted and halved
• 1/4 cup tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons capers, drained and rinsed
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• One 10-ounce or two 5-ounce cans tuna in olive oil, such as Tonnino, drained
• 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil

Details

Adapted from foodnetwork.com

Preparation

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender but still firm to the bite, 8 to 10 minutes. Reserve about 1 cup of the cooking water, then drain the pasta. Place the pasta and 1/2 cup cheese in a large bowl and toss until coated.

In a medium skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until the mushrooms begin to brown, 5 to 6 minutes. Add the olives, tomato paste, capers, red pepper flakes, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper and the tuna. Using a wooden spoon, break up the tuna into 1-inch pieces. Add the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Remove the garlic and discard.

Pour the tuna mixture over the pasta. Add the remaining 1/2 cup cheese and the basil, and toss until coated, using the reserved cooking liquid to loosen the sauce. Season with salt and pepper.

Makes 4-6 servings.