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Creamy Tuna Pasta Bake Recipe

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4 from 10 reviews

This Creamy Tuna Pasta Bake is a comforting and hearty dish featuring rigatoni pasta in a rich, cheesy sauce loaded with flaked albacore tuna and sweetcorn. It’s a perfect family-friendly meal that comes together quickly and finishes off with a golden, bubbly cheese topping baked in the oven.

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

Pasta

  • 14 oz (400 g) rigatoni (or another short pasta)

Sauce

  • 2 tablespoons (40 g) unsalted butter
  • 1 medium red onion, finely diced
  • 3 tablespoons (45 g) plain flour
  • 2 1/2 cups (600 ml) semi-skimmed milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 7 oz (200 g) low-fat sharp cheddar

Additional Ingredients

  • 10.5 oz (300 g) albacore tuna, drained and flaked
  • 1 cup (165 g) sweetcorn
  • Fresh parsley, to garnish

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the rigatoni al dente according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
  2. Prepare the onion: While the pasta cooks, melt the butter in a large, deep pan or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the finely diced red onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened, stirring regularly.
  3. Make the roux: Whisk in the plain flour until it forms a thick paste (roux), then gradually add the semi-skimmed milk while whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Once all the milk is incorporated, simmer the sauce for 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally until thickened.
  4. Season the sauce: Preheat the oven to 390°F (200°C). Add salt, freshly ground black pepper, and Dijon mustard to the sauce, stirring well to combine.
  5. Add cheese to sauce: Remove the pan from heat and stir in all but a handful of the sharp cheddar cheese, mixing until melted and smooth.
  6. Combine pasta with sauce: Add the drained pasta to the cheese sauce, tossing to coat evenly. Gently fold in the flaked tuna and sweetcorn.
  7. Transfer to baking dish: Pour the mixture into a baking dish, then sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top evenly.
  8. Bake: Place the dish in the oven and bake for 15 minutes or until the cheese on top is golden and bubbly.
  9. Garnish and serve: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley or chives over the baked pasta and serve hot.

Notes

  • Using rigatoni or another short pasta helps the sauce cling better to each piece.
  • Semi-skimmed milk provides creaminess with moderate fat content, but whole milk can be used for an even richer sauce.
  • Low-fat sharp cheddar gives flavor with less fat, but feel free to use regular cheddar if preferred.
  • Ensure the roux is cooked properly to avoid a raw flour taste in the sauce.
  • Adjust seasoning to taste, especially with salt and pepper after adding mustard and cheese.
  • To add extra texture, consider topping with breadcrumbs before baking.
  • Author: Maya
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Pasta Bake
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: British
  • Diet: Low Fat

Find it online: https://recipeteach.com/creamy-tuna-pasta-bake-recipe/