Creamy Tuna Pasta Bake
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
20 mins
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Cook Time
20 mins
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Total Time
40 mins
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Servings
6 people
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
International
Creamy Tuna Pasta Bake
Description
The Creamy Tuna Pasta Bake starts by cooking penne pasta until just tender, then mixing it into a thick béchamel-style sauce made by melting butter, whisking in flour, and gradually adding milk until thickened. Half of the cheddar cheese, Dijon mustard, and black pepper are stirred into the sauce to build flavor. Cooked peas and drained tuna are folded in before transferring the mixture to an ovenproof dish. Additional cheese layers the top before baking to create a golden, bubbling crust. Garnishing with fresh parsley adds color and freshness to the hearty dish.
This pasta bake works well as a family dinner, pairing well with green salads or steamed vegetables for a balanced meal. It offers comforting textures with the creamy sauce enveloping the pasta and the tender tuna chunks evenly distributed throughout.
Peas can be swapped or combined with other cooked vegetables like sweet corn, carrots, or green beans for variety. The canned tuna can also be replaced with cooked salmon or white fish, ensuring fish is cooked before adding to the bake.
Ingredients
- 2 tins tuna
- 1 cup peas cooked
- 2 cups cheddar cheese grated
- 2 cups penne pasta
- 2 tablespoon butter (30 g)
- 2 tablespoon plain flour
- 2 cups milk full-fat
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper ground
- 1 tablespoon parsley fresh
Instructions
- Cook the past according to the packet instructions.
- To make the sauce, melt the butter in a large pan, add the flour and whisk to get a thick paste.
- Pour in the milk whisking continuously until it thickens.
- Add half of the grated cheese, dijon mustard and black pepper, and mix well.
- When the pasta is cooked, drain in well, then add it to the sauce and give it a good mix.
- Transfer everything to an ovenproof dish, add the cooked peas and well-drained tuna, and mix.
- Scatter over the remaining cheese, and bake in the preheated oven at 180 degrees Celsius (350 Fahrenheit) for 20 minutes until golden and bubbling hot.
- Garnish with fresh parsley.
Notes
- Substitute peas with sweet corn or mixed cooked vegetables for variation.
- Canned tuna can be swapped for cooked salmon, white fish, or seafood; ensure fish is fully cooked before adding.
- Make sure to cook pasta until just tender to avoid overcooking during baking.
- Fresh parsley garnish adds a bright contrast to the creamy bake.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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