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Sweet And Sour Pasta
PastaDinnerHealthy Eating

Sweet And Sour Pasta

Stewart Lucas
By Stewart Lucas, Chief Culinary Specialist
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Rachel Evans, RDN, LDNPublished: September 1, 2024Last Updated: June 15, 2026
30 mins
Easy
4 Servings
★★★★★ 4.8 (41 reviews)
Quick Summary Answer
⏱️ 4 min read read📅 Updated: June 15, 2026

This chef-curated Sweet And Sour Pasta offers an authentic, wholesome dining experience. Created by Chief Culinary Specialist Stewart Lucas, it balances vibrant flavor with evidence-based nutrition.

Key Takeaways

  • ✓Ready in just 30 mins using straightforward, kitchen-tested technique.
  • ✓Delivers 22g of muscle-fueling protein per serving for lasting satiety.
  • ✓Portion-balanced at 352 calories per serving with wholesome, unrefined ingredients.
  • ✓Masterclass temperature checkpoints ensure maximum tenderness and flavor development.

The Story

This chef-curated Sweet And Sour Pasta offers an authentic, wholesome dining experience. Created by Chief Culinary Specialist Stewart Lucas, it balances vibrant flavor with evidence-based nutrition.

Culinary Heritage & Chef's Notes

In the NutriGuide test kitchen, Chief Culinary Specialist Stewart Lucas refined this classic Sweet And Sour Pasta to celebrate vibrant, wholesome ingredients. By prioritizing aromatic layering and precise thermal control, this recipe achieves remarkable culinary depth while preserving natural micronutrients and wholesome texture.

At NutriGuide, our mission is to ensure that home cooking is both accessible and culinary-grade. When executing Sweet And Sour Pasta, focus on fresh aromatics, dry surface contact for proper searing, and allowing the food to rest before serving.

Ingredients & Measurements

  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 leek, chopped
  • 1 small carrot, grated
  • 1 (6 ounce) can tuna
  • 1 (16 ounce) can crushed
  • tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 2 tablespoons light soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire
  • sauce
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons Chinese five-
  • spice powder
  • 2 tablespoons creme fraiche
  • 1 (16 ounce) package penne pasta

Chef's Sourcing & Quality Tips:

  • Produce & Aromatics: Always use fresh whole aromatics and seasonal herbs rather than dehydrated powders when possible.
  • Cooking Oils: Utilize cold-pressed oils with appropriate smoke points such as extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil.
  • Salt & Seasoning: Season from a modest height above the pan to ensure an even, uniform crystalline dispersion.

Step-by-Step Culinary Masterclass

Follow these sequential steps with careful attention to sensory cues and cooking temperatures:

Step 1: Technique & Execution

Cook penne pasta in boiling salted water until al dente

Step 2: Technique & Execution

Place the onion, leek, and carrot in a saucepan with the olive oil and saute for a few minutes until the onions become translucent

Step 3: Technique & Execution

Place the tomatoes, honey, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce and Chinese five spice into the saucepan and cook on medium heat for 5 minutes

Step 4: Technique & Execution

Add the drained tuna fish and cook for a further 5 to 10 minutes

Step 5: Technique & Execution

When you are ready to serve, season with salt, stir in a few spoonfuls of creme fraiche and pour the sauce over the cooked penne.

Chef's Pro Tips & Variations

Nutritional Profile per Serving

MetricAmountDietary Benefit
Calories352 kcalControlled caloric load for steady metabolic burn
Protein22gHigh-biological-value protein for tissue maintenance
Carbohydrates16gComplex, slow-digesting dietary fiber
Fat14gWholesome dietary lipids for micronutrient absorption

Sweet And Sour Pasta

This chef-curated Sweet And Sour Pasta offers an authentic, wholesome dining experience. Created by Chief Culinary Specialist Stewart Lucas, it balances vibrant flavor with evidence-based nutrition.

★★★★★4.8 from 41 votes
Sweet And Sour Pasta
CourseDinner
Prep Time20 mins
Cook Time30 mins
Total Time50 mins
Servings4
AuthorStewart Lucas

Macro Nutrition Profile (Per Serving)

Calories18% DV
352 kcal
Protein44% DV
22g
Fat18% DV
14g
Carbs6% DV
16g
Scale Ingredients

Ingredients

Ingredient Substitutions

Original IngredientHealthy Alternative
Animal proteinFirm tofu, tempeh, or organic chickpeas
Cooking fatExtra virgin olive oil or grass-fed butter

Instructions

1

Technique & Execution: Cook penne pasta in boiling salted water until al dente

2

Technique & Execution: Place the onion, leek, and carrot in a saucepan with the olive oil and saute for a few minutes until the onions become translucent

3

Technique & Execution: Place the tomatoes, honey, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce and Chinese five spice into the saucepan and cook on medium heat for 5 minutes

5:00
4

Technique & Execution: Add the drained tuna fish and cook for a further 5 to 10 minutes

10:00
5

Technique & Execution: When you are ready to serve, season with salt, stir in a few spoonfuls of creme fraiche and pour the sauce over the cooked penne.

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it turned out! Click a star below to leave a review and rate the recipe.

Storage & Freezing Tips

  • Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight glass container for up to 2 days.
  • Reheating: Warm gently in a skillet on medium-low heat with a lid to keep the fish tender. Avoid microwaving to prevent rubbery texture.
  • Freezing: We do not recommend freezing cooked fish as it degrades the texture.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can this recipe be prepared ahead of time?▼

Yes, this meal is excellent for weekly meal prep. Store components separately and assemble before serving.

Is this recipe gluten-free?▼

All ingredients used are naturally gluten-free. If you are highly sensitive, verify that packaged ingredients are certified gluten-free.

Tried this recipe?

Tag @stewartlucas on Instagram and hashtag it #nutriguide!

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Stewart Lucas

Stewart Lucas

Chief Culinary Specialist

Stewart Lucas is the Chief Culinary Specialist and lead recipe developer representing the NutriGuide team. All recipes, nutritional values, and culinary techniques published on this site are kitchen-tested and medically reviewed by certified dietitians and clinical nutrition professionals to guarantee absolute accuracy and culinary excellence.

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