Creamy Tuna Pasta Bake
A comforting and creamy tuna pasta bake that combines tender pasta, succulent tuna, sweet corn, and vibrant peas in a luscious cheese sauce.
Equipment
- Large Pot
- Large Saucepan
- Mixing Bowl
- Baking Dish
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons Unsalted Butter
- ¼ cup All-Purpose Flour
- 2.5 cups Whole Milk
- ¼ teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 clove Garlic, crushed
- 1 cup Mozzarella Cheese, grated divided
- 200 grams Peas fresh or frozen
- 200 grams Sweet Corn fresh or frozen
- 300 grams Canned Tuna drained and flaked
- 4 cups Dried Pasta like penne, fusilli, or macaroni
- 2 tablespoons Parsley, chopped for serving
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil and add your choice of dried pasta. Cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Step 2: In a large saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Whisk in the all-purpose flour and stir continuously for about 1-2 minutes until the mixture turns a light golden brown, forming a roux.
- Step 3: Gradually whisk in the whole milk, ensuring there are no lumps. Stir until the mixture thickens, about 5-7 minutes. Add the ground nutmeg, Italian seasoning, ground black pepper, salt, and crushed garlic. Stir to combine and let it simmer for a couple more moments.
- Step 4: Remove the saucepan from the heat and fold in ¾ of the grated mozzarella cheese into your creamy sauce. Stir until melted and blended thoroughly.
- Step 5: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, cheese sauce, peas, sweet corn, and flaked tuna. Gently stir until everything is well-coated in the creamy sauce.
- Step 6: Transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Smooth out the top with a spatula and sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.
- Step 7: Bake in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes or until the top is bubbly and golden brown. Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley before serving!
Notes
For a bit of crunch, top the casserole with breadcrumbs mixed with melted butter before baking. Feel free to use any type of cheese you love; cheddar adds a great flavor twist!