Pasta Tuna Bake
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this irresistible Pasta Tuna Bake—a creamy, cheesy, and golden-topped delight perfect for busy weeknights or cozy family dinners. This hearty dish combines tender penne pasta, flaky canned tuna, sweet peas, and juicy sweetcorn, all enveloped in a luscious homemade cheese sauce spiked with a touch of Dijon mustard and garlic powder for added depth. Topped with a crisp, golden breadcrumb and Parmesan layer, this bake achieves the perfect balance of creamy and crunchy textures. Ready in just 40 minutes and serving four, it's quick, satisfying, and freezer-friendly. Ideal for using pantry staples, this easy tuna casserole recipe is a budget-friendly crowd-pleaser that’s destined to become a regular in your dinner rotation.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 300 grams Penne pasta
- 2 cans Canned tuna (in water or oil, drained)
- 1 cup Frozen peas
- 1 cup Sweetcorn (drained, canned or frozen)
- 4 tablespoons Unsalted butter
- 4 tablespoons All-purpose flour
- 3 cups Milk
- 2 cups Cheddar cheese (grated)
- 0.5 cups Parmesan cheese (grated, optional)
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoons Black pepper
- 0.5 cups Breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a baking dish with olive oil or non-stick spray.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook for 2 minutes less than the package instructions suggest for al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Once melted, whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until lightly golden to form a roux.
Gradually whisk in the milk, about 1 cup at a time, ensuring there are no lumps. Cook the sauce for 3-5 minutes until thickened.
Stir in 1 1/2 cups of the cheddar cheese, the Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth and remove from heat.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, drained tuna, peas, and sweetcorn. Pour the cheese sauce over the mixture and stir until evenly coated.
Transfer the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese and the Parmesan cheese over the top.
In a small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs with the olive oil. Mix until evenly coated, then sprinkle the breadcrumbs over the cheese layer.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbling.
Let the pasta bake rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired, and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
4370 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 199.1 g | 255% | |
| Saturated Fat | 110.6 g | 553% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.8 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 578 mg | 193% | |
| Sodium | 8277 mg | 360% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 403.4 g | 147% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 28.7 g | 102% | |
| Total Sugars | 63.6 g | ||
| Protein | 263.5 g | 527% | |
| Vitamin D | 14.9 mcg | 75% | |
| Calcium | 3955 mg | 304% | |
| Iron | 22.8 mg | 127% | |
| Potassium | 3961 mg | 84% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
