Dietitian Jaime Rose Chambers reveals her go-to recipe for a creamy tuna pasta with pesto

A Sydney dietitian has revealed one of her go-to workday lunch recipes for creamy tuna pasta with pesto.

Jaime Rose Chambers posted on Instagram, where she explained that what the dish ‘lacks for in looks, it makes up for in taste’. 

‘I have had so many requests for the recipe for my creamy tuna pesto pasta,’ Jaime wrote on her profile.

‘I freestyle this so amounts are estimates, but it is very forgiving and you can be very flexible with the ingredients.’

A Sydney dietitian has revealed one of her go-to workday lunch recipes for creamy tuna pasta with pesto (Jaime Rose Chambers pictured)

Jaime Rose Chambers posted on Instagram , where she explained that what the dish 'lacks for in looks, it makes up for in taste' (the finished results pictured)

Jaime Rose Chambers posted on Instagram , where she explained that what the dish ‘lacks for in looks, it makes up for in taste’ (the finished results pictured)

To make the simple dish in under 20 minutes, Jaime said you will need a 250 gram packet of the pasta of your choice.

She opted for chickpea pasta, as it’s slightly less heavy and carb-dense than other forms.

Then, Jaime also uses broccoli, zucchini, spinach, shallot, ricotta, pesto, pine nuts, tuna and Parmesan to make the dish. 

‘Cook the pasta to the packet instructions,’ she said.

‘Add broccoli and zucchini to the cooking pasta for the last five minutes until tender.

‘Drain and add to a large bowl with the remaining ingredients and a good glug of extra Virgin olive oil, sea salt and pepper. 

‘Stir it together well and the dish can be served warm or cold.’

You can make the dish with whatever pasta you want, and the dietitian chose chickpea pasta as it is less carb-dense than other pastas

You can make the dish with whatever pasta you want, and the dietitian chose chickpea pasta as it is less carb-dense than other pastas

How to make Jaime’s creamy tuna pasta with pesto 

INGREDIENTS

Jaime shared the recipe (pictured) online

Jaime shared the recipe (pictured) online

1 packet (250g) chickpea pasta

1 cup broccoli, cut into small florets

1 small zucchini, roughly diced

2 big handfuls English spinach

1 shallot, finely sliced

1/2 tub (approx 150mL) ricotta (smooth works best)

2 heaped tbsp pesto

1/4 cup toasted pine nuts

185g can of tuna in oil

1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Extra Virgin olive oil

Sea salt and pepper

Optional fresh basil leaves, torn or chopped roughly

METHOD

1. Cook the pasta according to the packet instructions.

2. Add broccoli and zucchini to the cooking pasta for the last five minutes until tender.

3. Drain and add to a large bowl with the remaining ingredients and a good glug of extra Virgin olive oil, sea salt & pepper. 

4. Stir together well and serve warm or cold.

Source: Jaime Rose Chambers 

Hundreds who saw the recipe said they would try Jaime’s go-to working lunch.

‘Looks delicious, I’m making this tonight,’ one woman posted.

‘This looks gorgeous,’ another added.

Jaime (pictured) revealed how she feeds her family on a typical weeknight, and while she said she loves a 'fancy, food-styled picture' as much as the next person, it's not how she really eats

Jaime (pictured) revealed how she feeds her family on a typical weeknight, and while she said she loves a ‘fancy, food-styled picture’ as much as the next person, it’s not how she really eats

Previously, Jaime revealed how she feeds her family on a typical weeknight, and while she said she loves a ‘fancy, food-styled picture’ as much as the next person, it’s not how she really eats on a typical weeknight at home.

‘Dinner is usually made in record time while I have a one-year-old tugging at my leg to be picked up and a three-year-old asking endlessly to eat all the snacks out of the cupboard,’ Jaime said. 

Her weeknight dinner of glazed salmon, brown rice, vegetables and salmon takes around 20 minutes to make.

'Dinner is usually made in record time while I have a one-year-old tugging at my leg to be picked up and a three-year-old asking to eat all the snacks out of the cupboard,' Jaime said

‘Dinner is usually made in record time while I have a one-year-old tugging at my leg to be picked up and a three-year-old asking to eat all the snacks out of the cupboard,’ Jaime said

On this particular occasion, the dietitian explained she served pesto and yoghurt-topped salmon fillets with brown rice, corn on the cob, broccoli, Brussels sprouts and salad.

‘This is a more accurate representation of dinner in our house most nights, and the thing is – everyone (usually) loves it AND it’s nutritious,’ Jaime said.

She added that there are 10 different plan foods within this meal, meaning that her family get plenty of diversity within their daily diets.

The brown rice adds a complex carbohydrate, while the salmon provides lean protein.