Cheesy Tuna Pasta Bake Recipe

4.59 from 75 votes

This quick and easy tuna pasta bake recipe is creamy, cheesy, affordable, and full of protein. A classic comfort food your family will love

Prep Time5

Cook Time20

Total Time25

Course: mains

Cuisine: Italian

Servings:

Calories: 540kcal

Cost: £0.82

400 g rigatoni (£0.65)
1 onion, finely diced (£0.09)
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped (£0.69)
3 tins tuna, drained (£0.59x3)=(£1.77)
100 g (60g+ 40g cheddar) (£1.74/2)=(£0.87)
200 g cream cheese (£0.79)
¼ lemon, juiced (£0.69/4)=(£0.17)
260 g (1 large tin) sweetcorn (£0.35)

Preheat oven to 180°C (grill setting)
Add the rigatoni to salted boiling water, setting the timer to 2 minutes less than the packet's recommended cooking time.
Heat the olive oil in a pan over low/medium heat. Add the diced onion and gently fry for around 5 minutes until softened (not caramelised). Add the garlic and fry for an additional couple of minutes once the onions have softened.
Add the drained tuna, cream cheese, cheddar, and two ladles of pasta water to the pan. Stir until the cheese melts and a creamy sauce forms. Add extra pasta water as necessary to achieve the desired consistency.
Stir the lemon juice and dijon mustard into the sauce, then season with salt and lots of pepper.
Pour the rigatoni, sweetcorn and creamy tuna sauce into a baking dish (around 12 inch x 10 inch). Stir to incorporate everything and top with the remaining cheddar. Pop under the grill for 10 minutes, or until the cheese is golden brown and crispy.
Top with fresh parsley to serve.

Choose a pasta shape like rigatoni, penne, or fusilli that can hold creamy sauce and cook until al dente.
Reduce calories by using canned tuna packed in brine.
Create a cheesy sauce using a combination of cream cheese and cheddar, and feel free to add your favorite seasonings and vegetables for extra flavor and texture.

Calories: 540kcal | Carbohydrates: 57g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 19g