If you’re looking for a comforting, easy, and delicious meal, this Tuna Pasta Bake is just what you need! It’s a favorite in our house because it combines hearty pasta, savory tuna, and a cheesy topping that everyone loves. Plus, it’s super simple to make, and you can prep it in no time! This recipe makes enough to feed the whole family, but don’t worry if you’re cooking for one or two, you can always divide it up, and it tastes amazing as leftovers too! Let’s dive into how to make this yummy dish!
Method
Preheat the Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 190°C (375°F). This will allow the oven to reach the perfect temperature while you’re preparing the other ingredients.
Cook the Pasta
While the oven is heating, cook the wholewheat pasta according to the instructions on the packet. Be sure to stir it occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking together. Once the pasta is done, drain it well and set it aside.
Prepare the Vegetables and Tuna
While your pasta is cooking, chop up the red onion, spring onions, red pepper, and cherry tomatoes. Place them all into a casserole dish. Add the drained tuna to the dish and then stir in the chili and red pesto. Mixing everything together at this stage helps the pesto coat the veggies and tuna evenly, giving them plenty of flavor.
Combine Pasta and Passata
Once the pasta is drained, add it to the casserole dish with the vegetables and tuna. Then, pour in enough passata to cover the pasta and veggie mixture. This adds moisture to the dish, helping everything bake together nicely. Stir everything together until all the ingredients are well combined.
Add the Cheese
Sprinkle the grated cheese evenly over the top of the casserole. This will melt beautifully as it bakes, forming a delicious, golden-brown crust that is the perfect finishing touch.
Bake
Place the casserole dish into the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. Keep an eye on it as it bakes; the cheese should melt and become bubbly, turning golden brown. Once it’s done, remove it from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving.
Necessary Tools
- Casserole dish
- Saucepan for cooking pasta
- Chopping board and knife
- Grater for cheese
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Oven
Tuna Pasta Bake Recipe
Cuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy5
servings10
minutes25
minutes35
minutesIngredients
400g wholewheat pasta
3 tins of tuna, drained
1 red onion, chopped
3 spring onions, chopped
1 red pepper, chopped
15 cherry tomatoes, halved
1 tin of sweetcorn, drained
1/2 jar of chili and red pesto
Approx. 250g passata
45g @eatlean grated cheese
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F).
- Cook the wholewheat pasta according to the packet instructions. Don’t forget to stir it every now and then to keep it from sticking!
- While the pasta is cooking, chop the red onion, spring onions, red pepper, and cherry tomatoes. Place them all into a casserole dish. Add the tuna and mix in the pesto. Stir it all together to make sure the flavors are well combined.
- Once the pasta is cooked, drain it and add it to the casserole dish. Pour in enough passata to cover the pasta and veggie mixture.
- Top the dish with the grated cheese, spreading it out evenly over the top.
- Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden brown.
Notes
- Be careful not to overcook the pasta while boiling. You want it to be al dente since it will continue cooking in the oven.
- When adding the passata, make sure you pour just enough to cover the pasta. You don’t want it to get too soggy!
- Keep an eye on the dish while it’s baking to avoid burning the cheese. It should be golden brown and bubbly, but not overdone.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve this Tuna Pasta Bake with a side salad or some garlic bread for an extra special meal.
- If you’re looking for something light, try serving it with some steamed vegetables on the side.
- This dish is also perfect for meal prep make it in advance and enjoy it for lunch or dinner throughout the week!
Fun Fact
Did you know that tuna is an excellent source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids, which are great for heart health? Not only does it make this pasta bake extra tasty, but it’s also good for you!
Conclusion
This Tuna Pasta Bake is the ultimate comfort food, perfect for busy nights when you want something delicious and easy. It’s packed with flavor, nutrition, and will leave everyone asking for seconds. Whether you’re making it for the family or meal prepping for the week, this dish is a winner every time. Enjoy!
