Creamy Tuna Pasta Bake
This protein-packed creamy tuna pasta bake is so comforting and delicious. Whip it up for meal prep or to share with family/housemates.
Servings: 6
Calories: 540kcal
Cost: £0.82
Ingredients
- 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)
Cupboard Essentials
- 2 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt & Pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180°C – Grill
- Start by adding the rigatoni to salted boiling water, timer set to 2 minutes minus the packet time.
- Next, add the onions and olive oil to the pan on a low/medium heat. Gently fry for around 5 minutes until softened (not caramelised). Add the garlic in for a couple minutes to fry once softened.
- Then, add the drained tuna, cream cheese, cheddar and two ladles of pasta water. Stir until the cheese melts and a creamy sauce is achieved. Add extra pasta water as necessary.
- Stir the lemon juice and dijon mustard into the sauce and 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.
Notes
- 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, adding favorite seasonings and vegetables for flavour and texture.
Nutrition
Calories: 540kcal | Carbohydrates: 57g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 19g