Tuna Pasta Cheddar Melt
Experience comfort food at its finest with this indulgent Tuna Pasta Cheddar Melt—an irresistible combination of creamy, cheesy goodness and a crispy, golden topping. Perfectly cooked pasta is tossed with tender chunks of protein-rich tuna and enveloped in a velvety cheddar and parmesan cheese sauce flavored with garlic and onion powder. The dish is finished with a crunchy layer of panko breadcrumbs and baked to perfection, creating a satisfying contrast of textures. Ready in just 40 minutes, this crowd-pleasing casserole is an easy weeknight dinner or potluck favorite. Garnished with a sprinkle of fresh parsley, it’s as visually pleasing as it is delicious. Find out how to make this quick and hearty baked pasta dish that’s sure to become a household classic! Keywords: Tuna Pasta Cheddar Melt, cheesy pasta bake, tuna casserole, weeknight dinner ideas, quick comfort food recipes.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 300 g pasta (penne or fusilli)
- 2 cans canned tuna in water, drained
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 500 ml milk
- 200 g cheddar cheese, grated
- 50 g parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 50 g panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). Grease a baking dish and set aside.
Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the pasta until al dente, according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
While the pasta is cooking, melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to form a roux.
Gradually add the milk to the roux, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook until it thickens, about 3-4 minutes.
Stir in 150g of the grated cheddar cheese and all the parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Add the garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, drained tuna, and cheese sauce. Mix well until the pasta and tuna are evenly coated.
Transfer the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Spread it out evenly.
In a small bowl, combine the remaining 50g of grated cheddar cheese, panko breadcrumbs, and olive oil. Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the pasta.
Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and crispy.
Remove from the oven, garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and serve warm.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2524 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 145.7 g | 187% | |
| Saturated Fat | 83.3 g | 416% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 424 mg | 141% | |
| Sodium | 5215 mg | 227% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 186.2 g | 68% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 8.8 g | 31% | |
| Total Sugars | 32.2 g | ||
| Protein | 130.0 g | 260% | |
| Vitamin D | 7.9 mcg | 39% | |
| Calcium | 2704 mg | 208% | |
| Iron | 8.3 mg | 46% | |
| Potassium | 1430 mg | 30% | |
*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.
