Pasta Tuna Bake

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this irresistible Pasta Tuna Bake—a creamy, cheesy, and golden-topped delight perfect for busy weeknights or cozy family dinners. This hearty dish combines tender penne pasta, flaky canned tuna, sweet peas, and juicy sweetcorn, all enveloped in a luscious homemade cheese sauce spiked with a touch of Dijon mustard and garlic powder for added depth. Topped with a crisp, golden breadcrumb and Parmesan layer, this bake achieves the perfect balance of creamy and crunchy textures. Ready in just 40 minutes and serving four, it's quick, satisfying, and freezer-friendly. Ideal for using pantry staples, this easy tuna casserole recipe is a budget-friendly crowd-pleaser that’s destined to become a regular in your dinner rotation.

Nutriscore Rating: 63/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 300 grams Penne pasta
• 2 cans Canned tuna (in water or oil, drained)
• 1 cup Frozen peas
• 1 cup Sweetcorn (drained, canned or frozen)
• 4 tablespoons Unsalted butter
• 4 tablespoons All-purpose flour
• 3 cups Milk
• 2 cups Cheddar cheese (grated)
• 0.5 cups Parmesan cheese (grated, optional)
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoons Black pepper
• 0.5 cups Breadcrumbs
• 1 tablespoon Olive oil

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a baking dish with olive oil or non-stick spray.

Step 2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook for 2 minutes less than the package instructions suggest for al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Once melted, whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until lightly golden to form a roux.

Step 4

Gradually whisk in the milk, about 1 cup at a time, ensuring there are no lumps. Cook the sauce for 3-5 minutes until thickened.

Step 5

Stir in 1 1/2 cups of the cheddar cheese, the Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth and remove from heat.

Step 6

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, drained tuna, peas, and sweetcorn. Pour the cheese sauce over the mixture and stir until evenly coated.

Step 7

Transfer the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese and the Parmesan cheese over the top.

Step 8

In a small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs with the olive oil. Mix until evenly coated, then sprinkle the breadcrumbs over the cheese layer.

Step 9

Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbling.

Step 10

Let the pasta bake rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired, and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2224.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4369.7

Total Fat 199.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 110.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.8g
Cholesterol 577.6mg	0%
Sodium 8277.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 403.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 28.7g	0%
Total Sugars 63.6g
Protein 263.5g	0%

Vitamin D 596.9IU	0%
Calcium 3955.3mg	0%
Iron 22.8mg	0%
Potassium 3961.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 40.2%

Protein: 23.6%

Carbs: 36.2%