Easy Tuna Pasta Salad - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1/2 lb penne (or rotini, radiatore, bowtie, etc)
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 lemon, for juice and zest
1/4 cup packed fresh basil leaf
1 (6 ounce) can tuna in olive oil, not drained (or 6-ounces tuna in water, plus approximately 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil of your choice)
tomatoes, chopped
2 scallions, chopped
parmesan cheese, grated or shredded (optional)
hot sauce or Tabasco sauce, to taste (optional)
toasted pignolis or walnuts (optional)
salt and pepper

Preparation

Cook pasta to al dente.
While the pasta cooks, finely grate enough lemon zest to measure 1 tablespoon and squeeze 1 teaspoon juice (or more, to taste) Mince garlic.
Cut basil into thin strips.
Chop scallions and tomatoes.
Toast and chop nuts.
In a large bowl toss together all ingredients except for pasta.
Check and correct seasoning, lemon juice, and amount of olive oil.
When pasta is done, add it to bowl and toss with combined ingredients.
Check and correct seasonings again.