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5.0 from 6 votes

Creamy Tuna Pasta Bake

Cheesy and creamy tuna pasta bake with sweetcorn and white sauce made from scratch, this easy noodle casserole will make your children happy.

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
45 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 598 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Tuna bake:
  • 7 oz macaroni or penne, fusili, farfalle etc, 200 g
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 red bell pepper
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1 can corn about 9 oz/ 250 g once drained, Note 1
  • 1 can tuna about 5.5 oz/ 150 g tuna once drained
  • 1 ½ teaspoon dried oregano Note 2
  • ½ teaspoon red chili flakes more or less to taste
  • Fine sea salt and black pepper
White sauce:
  • 2 ½ tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1¾ cups milk 400 ml
  • ½ cup grated cheese 50 g, Note 3
  • nutmeg
  • Fine sea salt and black pepper
Topping:
  • 2-3 small tomatoes
  • 4 tablespoons panko breadcrumbs or regular breadcrumbs
  • ½ cup grated cheese grated, 50 g

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F/ 180°C. Butter the casserole dish.
Tuna pasta bake:
  1. Cook pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add salt generously, and cook the pasta according to the packet's instructions. Drain well.7 oz macaroni/ 200 g
  2. Chop vegetables: In the meantime, cut the red bell pepper into thin small strips and chop the garlic cloves. Drain the can of corn.1 red bell pepper + 2 garlic cloves + 1 can corn
  3. Saute vegetables: Heat the oil in a large pan. Cook the red bell pepper, garlic, and corn for about 5 minutes or until the peppers are softer and the corn starts to look a little bit charred.1 tablespoon olive oil
  4. Add the drained and flaked tuna and the spices. Stir well and let it get hot for about 1-2 minutes. Set aside.1 can tuna + 1 ½ teaspoon dried oregano + ½ teaspoon red chili flakes + fine sea salt and black pepper
White sauce:
  1. Make sauce: Melt the butter in a small saucepan. Sprinkle the flour on top, stir, and let it become slightly golden for about 1 minute. Slowly start adding the milk while whisking continuously. Bring to a boil and let the sauce simmer for about 3-5 minutes or until thickened.2 ½ tablespoons butter + 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour + 1¾ cups milk/ 400 ml
  2. Add the grated cheese and stir well until it is melted. Season generously with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.½ cup grated cheese/ 50 g + nutmeg + fine sea salt and black pepper
  3. Combine ingredients: Place the drained pasta back into the pot you used to cook them. Add the vegetable and tuna mixture, mix carefully, and pour the white sauce on top. Mix again. Place into the prepared baking dish.
Topping:
  1. Assemble dish: Slice the tomatoes thinly. Arrange them on top of the bake. Mix together the breadcrumbs and the grated cheese. Sprinkle over the tomatoes.2-3 small tomatoes + 4 tablespoons panko breadcrumbs + ½ cup grated cheese/ 50 g
  2. Bake for about 20-25 minutes or until the top is golden. Let it rest for about 5 minutes, then serve with a green salad.

Notes

  • Corn: Frozen and defrosted corn kernels can be used instead.
  • Herbs: Or an Italian or French dried herb mixture.
  • Cheese: Gouda, cheddar, or another good melting cheese that you like.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1/4 of the dish Calories 598kcal (30%) Carbohydrates 66g (22%) Protein 30g (60%) Fat 24g (37%) Saturated Fat 12g (60%) Polyunsaturated Fat 10g Trans Fat 1g Cholesterol 70mg (23%) Sodium 924mg (39%) Fiber 5g (20%) Sugar 8g (16%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 598

% Daily Value*

Serving 1/4 of the dish
Calories 598kcal 30%
Carbohydrates 66g 22%
Protein 30g 60%
Fat 24g 37%
Saturated Fat 12g 60%
Polyunsaturated Fat 10g 59%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 70mg 23%
Sodium 924mg 39%
Fiber 5g 20%
Sugar 8g 16%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.