Creamy Tuna Pasta Bake with Peas and Corn
In short: Pasta, canned tuna, peas and corn in a creamy cheese sauce, topped with crisp breadcrumbs and baked until golden. A budget family favorite. It takes about 55 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 40 min
- Total
- 55 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 560 kcal
Tuna pasta bake is a pantry dinner with a long history in family kitchens. It uses canned tuna, frozen vegetables and a quick cheese sauce, and everything is stirred together before baking. The breadcrumb topping gives a crisp contrast to the creamy middle. It also reheats well for lunch the next day. Serve with a green salad on the side.
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 200°C (400°F). Boil the pasta in salted water for 2 minutes less than the package time. Add the peas and corn for the last minute, then drain.
- In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute, until it smells slightly toasty.
- Whisk in the milk a little at a time to keep the sauce smooth. Simmer, stirring, for 4 to 5 minutes, until it coats the back of a spoon.
- Take the pan off the heat and stir in two thirds of the cheese, the mustard, salt and pepper until melted.
- Fold in the pasta, vegetables and flaked tuna. Pour into a 23 x 33 cm (9 x 13 inch) baking dish.
- Mix the remaining cheese with the breadcrumbs and oil and sprinkle over the top. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, until bubbling at the edges, golden on top and hot in the center (74°C / 165°F).
- Rest for 5 minutes before serving so the sauce can thicken.
Tips
- Undercook the pasta slightly, because it keeps absorbing sauce in the oven.
- Broccoli florets, chopped spinach or sliced mushrooms can be added to use up what is in the vegetable drawer.
Questions and answers
Can I assemble tuna pasta bake ahead of time?
Yes. Assemble it without the topping, cover and chill for up to a day. Add the topping and bake for 5 to 10 minutes longer.
Can I freeze tuna pasta bake?
Yes. Freeze the baked or unbaked dish, well wrapped, for up to 2 months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight before baking or reheating.
Can I make it without a flour-based sauce?
Stir 200 g (7 oz) of cream cheese and 250 ml (1 cup) of milk into the hot pasta with the cheese. It is quicker and just as creamy.
How long does it take to make Creamy Tuna Pasta Bake with Peas and Corn?
About 55 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 40 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Creamy Tuna Pasta Bake with Peas and Corn?
About 560 kcal per serving, with 36 g of protein, 62 g of carbohydrates and 19 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 560 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 36 g |
| Carbohydrates | 62 g |
| Fat | 19 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 7 g |
| Sodium | 900 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
