How about this delicious, budget-friendly creamy tuna pasta bake for dinner? This easy tomato tuna pasta bake with sweetcorn and peas is the ultimate comfort food the whole family would love.
Easy tuna and sweetcorn pasta bake
Who says a pasta dish can't be comforting? this creamy tuna pasta recipe has all the hallmarks of a homey dish that is not only comforting but is also filling and healthy. If you are looking for a simple, quick, and easy homemade family meal recipe that uses a handful of ingredients then, this is the recipe for you! You can easily find all the ingredients for this recipe in your store cupboard.
Let's get our Jamie Oliver's cap on and make this creamy tuna pasta bake under 40 minutes. Are you vegetarian or vegan and would you like to try this dish? Check out my vegetable pasta bake for how to make it. However, if you would like to follow today's recipe then substitute the tuna for smashed chickpeas.
You will love this recipe because it requires simple steps to make and it is an easy weeknight meal. This dish is packed with protein and it is a great way to get your kids to eat their veggies! Serve this with a side salad (I love this creamy cucumber salad) or some garlic bread for a complete meal.
Related recipes: baked tortellini and easy baked spaghetti.
What you'll need to make creamy tuna pasta bake
Canned tuna: I used a combination of tuna packed in brine and sunflower oil. Any type you choose to use will be fine for this recipe
Pasta: I used rigatoni, substitute with ziti, penne or any other type of pasta of choice
Canned Sweetcorn
Frozen green peas
Passata: this is a strained tomato sauce, substitute with any pasta sauce of choice.
Cream cheese: I used low-fat cream cheese to keep this recipe as healthy as possible. Full-fat cream cheese would work just fine too.
Herb de Provence: substitute with Italian seasoning or mixed herb (if you live in the UK)
Sugar: this is optional but recommended as it helps take the edge off the sourness of the tomatoes.
Onion
Garlic: substitute with garlic powder or granules.
Salt and pepper
How to make tuna pasta bake
Preheat the oven to 365F/180C and spray a baking sheet with little oil.
Bring a pot of water to a boil, add salt and cook the pasta 1 minute less than the recommended time on the package instructions. Drain the cooked pasta and set it aside
While the pasta is cooking, heat some oil and butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and garlic and saute until they are both softened.
Pour the passata into the sauteed aromatics, add herbs de Provence, sugar salt, and black pepper then stir to combine. Reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
Stir the cream cheese into the tomato sauce until fully combined.
Add tuna, sweetcorn, and frozen peas and stir to combine. Taste for salt and pepper and adjust accordingly. simmer the sauce for 1 minute.
Drain the pasta and return it to the pot, pour the creamy tomato sauce over the cooked pasta and stir to combine.
Transfer the tuna pasta to a baking dish and top with cheddar cheese. Place in the oven for 15-20 minutes until the cheese is fully melted and the pasta is warmed through.
Remove the baking dish from the oven and let it sit for about 5 minutes before serving.
Tips
- Instead of topping the pasta with just cheddar cheese, you can use a combination of cheddar cheese and mozzarella cheese.
- Make sure you don't overcook that pasta so that it doesn't get soggy as it continues to cook in the oven
- Aside from sweetcorn and peas, you can add carrots, mushrooms, or any other type of vegetable you like.
- If you want a little bit of crunch in your pasta bake, you can top it with some seasoned breadcrumbs before adding the cheese on top.
How to store and reheat pasta bake
Cooked pasta can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave until warmed through.
Easy Tuna pasta bake Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 canned tuna in brine or sunflower oil drained
- 400 g pasta
- 285 g canned sweetcorn
- 1 cup frozen green peas
- Passata strained tomato sauce
- 100 g low-fat cream cheese
- 2 teaspoon Herb de Provence
- ½ cups onion finely chopped
- 3 large garlic cloves minced
- 1 teaspoon sugar optional
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese grated
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 365F/180C and spray a baking sheet with little oil.
- Bring a pot of water to a boil, add salt and cook the pasta 1 minute less than the recommended time on the package instructions. Drain the cooked pasta and set it aside
- While the pasta is cooking, heat some oil and butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and garlic and saute until softened.
- Pour the passata into the sauteed aromatics, add herbs de Provence, sugar, salt, and black pepper to taste then stir to combine. Reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Stir the cream cheese into the tomato sauce until fully combined.
- Add tuna, sweetcorn, and frozen peas and stir to combine. Taste for salt and pepper and adjust accordingly. simmer the sauce for 1 minute.
- Drain the pasta and return it to the pot, pour the creamy tomato sauce over the cooked pasta and stir to combine.
- Transfer the tuna pasta to a baking dish and top with grated cheddar cheese. Place in the oven for 15-20 minutes until the cheese is fully melted and the pasta is warmed through.
- Remove the baking dish from the oven and let it sit for about 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutritional data: Please note that the nutrition label provided is an estimate based on an online nutrition calculator. It will vary based on the specific ingredients and brands you use. Under no circumstances will thedinnerbite.com be responsible for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information.
FAQs
Can you freeze tuna pasta bake
Yes, it can be frozen for up to 3 months. Let the dish cool completely before freezing portioned in an airtight container or freezer bag.
How long does tuna pasta last in the fridge
Tuna pasta bake will last up to 3 days in an airtight container in the fridge
Can I make it spicy
Yes, you can! To make this dish spicy, add some red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to the tomato sauce. You can also top the pasta with some crushed red pepper flakes before baking.
More easy pasta recipes you should try next
So there you have it, an easy and delicious creamy tuna pasta bake, in tomato sauce recipe that the whole family will love. As always, if you made this recipe, I would love to hear from you! Kindly rate the recipe 5 star and leave me feedback in the comment section below. Tag me @thedinnerbite on Instagram and save it away to your Pinterest. Please subscribe to the blog if you haven’t for free new recipes in your inbox
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