Tuna Pasta Bake
A comforting and delicious dish made with pasta, tuna, and a creamy sauce, baked until golden, perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
For the sauce
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 800 g crushed tomatoes Note 1
- 1 tbsp tomato paste optional, thickens sauce slightly
- 3/4 cup water Note 2
- 1 tbsp Italian mixed herbs or other dried herbs of choice
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Main ingredients
- 425 g can chunk tuna preferably in oil, drained (Note 3)
- 200 g spiral pasta or other pasta of choice
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese Note 4
- Olive oil for drizzling
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Cook the pasta according to the package instructions, but reduce the cooking time by one minute. Drain the pasta and rinse it under tap water to prevent it from sticking together. Set aside.
- In an ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil. Add minced garlic and diced onion, cooking for about 3 minutes until golden.
Cooking
- Pour in the crushed tomatoes, water, mixed herbs, salt, pepper, and optional tomato paste. Stir the mixture and bring it to a simmer. Lower the heat to medium and simmer for 5 minutes until it thickens, stirring occasionally.
- Taste the sauce and adjust the salt if needed. If the sauce tastes sour, you can add a touch of sugar to balance it out.
- Turn off the heat and add the cooked pasta to the skillet, stirring well to combine.
- Gently fold in the drained tuna, trying not to break it up too much. Leave a few chunks on the surface for a nice look after baking.
- Drizzle a little olive oil over the top, sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese, and then bake for about 20 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
- Let it stand for 3 minutes before serving.
Notes
Tuna Pasta Bake can be served straight from the oven. Scoop out generous portions and enjoy it warm. You can add a simple side salad or some garlic bread for a complete meal. This dish is also great for leftovers, so don't hesitate to pack any extras for lunch the next day.