Easy Tuna Pasta Bake ♥

A delicious and comforting dinner awaits with this mouthwatering baked pasta and tuna in tomato sauce. It’s a quick and flavorful meal that will satisfy the whole family. The combination of tender pasta, juicy tuna, and rich tomato sauce creates a delightful harmony of flavors. Best of all, it’s easy to make and won’t take up much of your time, allowing you to enjoy a scrumptious meal in no time. Discover this incredible dish that is sure to become a favorite in your home!

Many people are on the lookout for interesting canned tuna recipes. I believe that combining tuna with pasta is one of the best ways to enjoy it. I recall that during my childhood, it was mainly my dad who ate tuna, and he’d simply eat it straight from the can. Occasionally, he’d have it with bread, making it a simple and tasty light meal, perhaps for breakfast. However, tuna is the perfect ingredient for a hearty baked dish, which is, of course, ideal for a family dinner.

But first, watch this video with the recipe and see how easy it is to make this TUNA PASTA BAKE:

What You Need For Tuna Pasta Bake

Canned Tuna – When selecting canned tuna, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, check the label for the type of tuna used. Albacore tuna is typically of higher quality compared to skipjack or yellowfin tuna. Look for phrases like “solid white” or “chunk white” on the label, as these indicate higher-quality cuts.

Next, consider the packing medium. Tuna can be packed in oil or water. Oil-packed tuna tends to be more flavorful and moist, while water-packed tuna is lighter and healthier. It’s a matter of personal preference. Inspect the appearance of the tuna through the packaging. The fish should appear firm and not mushy. Avoid cans with any signs of bulging or leaking, as they may indicate spoilage.

Pasta – Choose your favorite pasta. This casserole is best with short and fairly thick pasta. I recommend cooking the pasta al dente unless you love it soft. I recommend using penne, rigatoni, ziti, or elbow pasta.

Onion and garlic – When you throw some onions and garlic into your pasta bake, prepare for a flavor explosion! Sautéed onions bring that sweet and savory goodness, while garlic kicks it up a notch with its bold and zesty aroma.

Canned tomatoes – I recommend using canned diced or crushed tomatoes, preferably from your favorite brand. I recommend the Mutti brand.

Mozzarella or Cheddar – Mozzarella and Cheddar cheese are perfect choices for making cheesy pasta bakes. Mozzarella cheese melts beautifully, creating a creamy and gooey texture inside the bake. On the other hand, cheddar cheese adds a bold and flavorful kick, giving your dish depth and intensity. Both cheeses work great with other ingredients, resulting in delicious and complex flavors in every bite.

Spices and herbs – I recommend using sweet paprika powder or, if you prefer, hot paprika powder. For herbs, I recommend herbes de Provence, Italian herbs, but you can substitute them with other favorites like oregano. Don’t forget about salt and pepper!

Sugar – Why do we add sugar to tomato sauce? Well, sugar is like the superhero that saves the day by taming the acidity of tomatoes and making the sauce taste just suitable. Tomatoes can be quite tangy, and a little sugar helps to balance out that acidity and bring a more harmonious flavor to the sauce. Sugar also brings out the natural sweetness of the tomatoes, adding a touch of deliciousness. Just remember to add sugar gradually and taste as you go, as different tomatoes have varying levels of acidity.

Butter with olive oil – Why is it a good idea to combine butter with olive oil when cooking? Firstly, adding butter to olive oil helps increase the overall smoke point of the mixture. The butter itself has a lower smoke point, which means it can burn or create an unpleasant odor when cooking. By combining it with olive oil, which has a higher smoke point, the mixture becomes more stable and suitable for higher-temperature cooking. Secondly, the combination of butter and olive oil gives a desirable flavor and aroma. Moreover, butter and olive oil have different properties. Butter adds creaminess and texture to dishes, while olive oil provides lightness and healthy fats.

How to Make Tuna Pasta Bake

STEP 1.

Melt some butter and add a splash of olive oil to a pan. When the butter is all melty, throw in some finely chopped onion and cook it for about 3 minutes. Once that’s done, add the minced garlic, give it a good stir with the onions, and cook everything for around 30 seconds.

STEP 2.

Now, add canned tomatoes. To the tomatoes, add tomato paste, dried herbs, sweet paprika powder, salt, and sugar. Keep the tomato sauce on low heat for about 6-7 minutes, stirring occasionally. After this time, the sauce should thicken up nicely.

STEP 3.

Next, add canned tuna to the sauce, preferably tuna in oil. Drain it from the liquid, but you don’t have to be too thorough. Mix the tuna well with the sauce. Now, give your sauce a taste test to make sure it’s well-seasoned.

STEP 4.

Now, add the cooked pasta that you prepared earlier. I recommend cooking it al dente or for a minute less than what the package instructions say. Mix the pasta well with the sauce. Transfer everything to a baking dish and spread it evenly throughout the dish.

STEP 5.

Finally, generously sprinkle everything with grated mozzarella or cheddar cheese. Bake in a preheated oven at 180 degrees Celsius (350 degrees Fahrenheit) for about 20 minutes.

TUNA PASTA BAKE. PRINTABLE RECIPE

Perhaps you’re craving other pasta dinner ideas? Be sure to check these out:

Creamy Mushroom Chicken Pasta

Lemon Garlic Pasta. Quick and Easy.