Tuna Cheese Bake
Creamy, comforting, and irresistibly cheesy, this Tuna Cheese Bake is the ultimate crowd-pleasing casserole perfect for busy weeknights or cozy family dinners. Featuring tender pasta, flaky canned tuna, and a luscious homemade cheddar-Parmesan sauce, this baked dish is topped with crisp golden breadcrumbs for the perfect contrast of textures. With just 10 minutes of prep time and everyday pantry staples, this easy tuna pasta bake is a one-dish wonder that’s rich in flavor and simple to whip up. Ideal for meal prep or serving straight from the oven, it’s a hearty, satisfying recipe that’s sure to become a dinnertime favorite. Keywords: tuna cheese bake, cheesy pasta casserole, easy tuna bake recipe, creamy tuna pasta.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 250 grams pasta (penne, macaroni, or shells)
- 2 cans (about 150g each) canned tuna in water
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
- 0.5 cups Parmesan cheese, grated
- 0.5 cups breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoons garlic powder (optional)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or cooking spray
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a medium-sized baking dish with olive oil or cooking spray.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk continuously for 1-2 minutes to form a roux.
Gradually pour in the milk while whisking to avoid lumps. Cook the mixture, stirring constantly, until it thickens and can coat the back of a spoon (about 5 minutes).
Reduce the heat to low and stir in 1.5 cups of shredded cheddar cheese and 0.25 cups of Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
Season the cheese sauce with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder (if using). Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, drained tuna, and cheese sauce. Mix gently to coat everything evenly.
Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining 0.5 cups of cheddar cheese, 0.25 cups of Parmesan, and breadcrumbs evenly over the top.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
Remove from the oven and let the Tuna Cheese Bake cool for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2856 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 163.8 g | 210% | |
| Saturated Fat | 93.8 g | 469% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 542 mg | 181% | |
| Sodium | 6212 mg | 270% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 168.9 g | 61% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 7.4 g | 26% | |
| Total Sugars | 30.4 g | ||
| Protein | 189.8 g | 380% | |
| Vitamin D | 9.7 mcg | 48% | |
| Calcium | 2760 mg | 212% | |
| Iron | 10.1 mg | 56% | |
| Potassium | 1886 mg | 40% | |
*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.
