Turn a Can of Tuna into a Real-Person Dinner

Spaghetti with Tuna and Caper Sauce

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12 ounces spaghetti
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
10 ounces tuna packed in olive oil (from 1 to 2 tins)
3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons capers, preferably salt-packed, rinsed and drained
Pinch of red-pepper flakes, plus more for serving
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest, plus 1 tablespoon juice (from 1 lemon)
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves

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1. Cook pasta in a large pot of generously salted water until al dente. Reserve 1 1/2 cups pasta water; drain.

2. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add tuna with its oil and garlic and cook, stirring a few times, until garlic is golden in spots, about 5 minutes. Stir in capers and pepper flakes and cook, 30 seconds. Add 1 cup reserved pasta water; bring to a simmer. Add cooked pasta and simmer, tossing a few times, until liquid is reduced to a sauce that coats pasta.

3. Remove from heat and toss in lemon zest and juice, oil, and parsley; season with pepper. Add more pasta water, a few tablespoons at a time, until pasta is evenly coated. Serve, sprinkled with more pepper flakes.

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