Tuna N Tomato Pasta Bake Comfort Food Classic

Recipe Introduction: Tuna 'N' Tomato Pasta Bake

Ever find yourself staring blankly into the fridge? Me too! Fancy a proper comfort food? Let's make Tuna and Tomato Pasta Casserole . It's dead easy, and everyone loves it.

Comfort in a Dish: Quick Overview

This Tuna and Tomato Pasta bake is proper British comfort food. It’s essentially pasta and tuna swimming in a tasty tomato sauce.

Baked with cheese of course! It's mega easy to make, taking about 50 minutes. This recipe makes about six servings.

Perfect for a family.

Why You'll Love This

This Easy tuna casserole recipe brings back happy childhood memories. This recipe offers a good source of protein and it's also a great way to sneak in some extra veg if you fancy! This Pasta With Tuna recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner ideas pasta .

It's also budget friendly family meals , so it won't break the bank.

What Makes It Special?

Honestly? It's the simplicity. This Tuna Pasta Bake with Cheese is proper satisfying without needing a million ingredients. The rich tomato sauce combined with tuna and bubbly cheese is just heavenly.

It's also super versatile!

Let's Get Started!

Ready to dive in? Let's gather all of our stuff! To create this comforting casseroles recipe, you’ll need pasta, tinned tomatoes, onions, garlic, tinned tuna, herbs, cheese, and breadcrumbs. Easy peasy!

Let's Talk Ingredients & Gear for the Best Tuna and Tomato Pasta Casserole

Right, let's dive into the nitty gritty. This Tuna and Tomato Pasta Casserole is all about simplicity. You probably have most of this in your cupboard already.

Let's make sure our pasta with tuna is gonna be banging!

Main Ingredients: The Building Blocks of Deliciousness

• Pasta: 1 pound (450g) . Penne or macaroni work a treat. Honestly, whatever shape you fancy works!
• Olive Oil: 1 tablespoon (15 ml) for the pasta, 2 tablespoons (30 ml) for the sauce.
• Crushed Tomatoes: 1 (28 ounce) can (794g) . Go for good quality; it makes a difference to the flavour.
• Tomato Sauce: 1 (15 ounce) can (425g) . Adds body to the Tuna and Tomato wonder sauce.
• Tuna: 2 (5 ounce) cans (142g each) , drained. In water is best so you don’t end up with an oily mess.
• Cheddar Cheese: 2 cups shredded (200g) . The sharper the better!
• Panko Bread Crumbs: 1/2 cup (50g) . These give a fantastic crunch to our comforting casseroles .
• Melted Butter: 2 tablespoons (30 ml) . For that golden, crispy topping.
• Yellow Onion: 1 medium, chopped. Don't skimp on the onion!
• Garlic: 2 cloves, minced. Because, garlic.
• Fresh Parsley: 1/4 cup, chopped. For a bit of freshness, innit?

Seasoning Notes: A Symphony of Flavors

Oregano and basil are your best mates here. 1 teaspoon dried oregano (5 ml) and 1/2 teaspoon dried basil (2.

5 ml) . Salt and pepper, obviously, to taste. A pinch of red pepper flakes (1/4 teaspoon, 1.25 ml) adds a cheeky little kick if you're feeling brave, but totally optional.

You can't beat these essential spice combinations.

If you don't have fresh parsley, dried will do in a pinch but fresh is always better!

Equipment Needed: Keep It Simple

• A big pot for the pasta. Obvious, but had to say it!
• Colander. To drain that perfectly al dente pasta.
• Large skillet or saucepan. For making that lush Tuna pasta sauce.
• 9x13 inch baking dish. Get ready for some serious Pasta and Cheese action!

Don't have a fancy baking dish? Anything oven safe will do. A casserole dish, pyrex. A frying pan will do the job!.

My Gran used to make this Tuna and Tomato Pasta Casserole all the time using a chipped old baking dish.

It tasted amazing!. I am sure your Tuna pasta bake with cheese will be delicious too! This easy tuna casserole recipe is one of those budget friendly family meals , perfect for busy weeknight dinner ideas pasta .

This quick pasta bake is a winner, trust me!

Let's Get Casseroling: Tuna 'N' Tomato Pasta Bake

Oh my gosh, let's talk about the ultimate comfort food : Tuna and Tomato Pasta Casserole ! This is my go-to for those nights when you just need a big, warm hug in a dish.

Think Nan's cooking, but maybe with a slightly more modern twist. Seriously, this Easy tuna casserole recipe will save your weeknight!

Honestly, this recipe is so simple, even I can't mess it up. And that's saying something! It's one of those budget friendly family meals that everyone seems to love, which is a win-win in my book.

Prep Like a Pro: Mise en Place for the Win

First things first, let's get organized. Chop one medium yellow onion finely. Mince two cloves of garlic. Drain two cans of tuna and chop up one-quarter cup of fresh parsley.

Get all your bits ready. Honestly, mise en place is your best friend. Also, remember to preheat your oven to 375° F ( 190° C) .

Baking Bliss: The Tuna 'N' Tomato Pasta Bake Method

Ready to bake? Follow these steps.

1. Cook 1 pound of pasta until al dente . Think a little bite, not mush! Drain it, and toss it with 1 tablespoon olive oil and a pinch of salt.
2. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a pan. Add the chopped onion and cook for 5 minutes until soft. Add minced garlic and cook for one minute more.
3. Stir in 1 (28 ounce) can of crushed tomatoes , 1 (15 ounce) can of tomato sauce , 1 teaspoon dried oregano , 1/2 teaspoon dried basil , and red pepper flakes (optional). Season with salt and pepper. Simmer for 15 minutes .
4. Stir in the drained Tuna Pasta and chopped parsley.
5. Mix the cooked pasta with the Tuna and Tomato sauce. Pour the mix into a greased 9x13 inch baking dish. We are making a quick pasta bake
6. Combine 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese , 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs , and 2 tablespoons melted butter .
7. Sprinkle the cheese topping evenly over the pasta bake. Bake for 20- 25 minutes , until golden brown and bubbly.
8. Let it rest for 5- 10 minutes before serving. This helps it set a little.

Top Tier Tips: Level Up Your Tuna Pasta Bake

Want to make this dish even better? Here are a few tricks:

• Don't overcook the pasta . Nobody wants soggy Comforting Casseroles .
• Want a bit of heat? Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for that extra kick.
• For a creamier version, try stirring in some cream cheese or ricotta into the Pasta With Tuna sauce. This adds richness.

So there you have it! My version of Tuna and Tomato Pasta Casserole . Give it a go and let me know what you think.

I guarantee it'll become a staple in your weeknight dinner ideas pasta rotation. Enjoy!

Recipe Notes for Your Best Ever Tuna and Tomato Pasta Casserole

Alright, so you're ready to whip up some serious Tuna and Tomato comfort food! I've made this Easy Tuna Casserole Recipe loads of times, and I've picked up a few tricks along the way.

This Quick Pasta Bake is about to become a regular on your weeknight dinner ideas pasta list.

Serving it Up Right: Plating & Sides

Presentation matters, even for something as wonderfully rustic as this Tuna and Tomato Pasta Casserole . Honestly, you can't go wrong with a generous scoop in a bowl.

But, to make it extra special? Sprinkle a bit of fresh parsley on top. For sides, some crusty garlic bread is always a winner! And a crisp green salad? Perfect to cut through the richness.

A cold glass of Sauvignon Blanc is a fantastic pairing, You know?

Storing Your Leftovers (If There Are Any!)

So, you’ve made a huge Tuna and Tomato Pasta bake enough to feed the five thousand! What do you do with any leftovers? This dish is absolutely amazing the next day and a great Budget friendly family meals .

Refrigeration: Pop it in the fridge within two hours. It’ll be good for about 3-4 days.

Freezing: You can freeze it. Allow it to cool, then wrap it tightly or put it in a freezer safe container. It can stay in there for about 2-3 months.

Reheating: To reheat, you can microwave it or put it back in the oven until heated through. If it's frozen, let it thaw in the fridge overnight first. Easy peasy!

Switching Things Up: Variations for Every Taste

Want to tweak this Tuna Pasta bake to suit your taste? Go for it!

Dietary Adaptations: For a gluten-free version, simply use gluten-free pasta and breadcrumbs. Easy swap!

Seasonal Ingredient Swaps: In the summer, add some fresh, chopped tomatoes to the sauce for a burst of flavour. Or chuck in some courgette, that works well.

A Little Bit About Nutrition Basics

Okay, I'm no nutritionist, but here's the lowdown on the good stuff in this Tuna Pasta Bake with Cheese .

Each serving has about 450 calories, 35g of protein, 20g of fat, and 40g of carbs. The tuna is a great source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids! Plus, tomatoes are packed with vitamins.

It's a well rounded comforting casserole .

This Tuna and Tomato Pasta Casserole is more than just a meal; it's a memory waiting to happen. This recipe is all about bringing people together with simple, honest food.

Now go get cooking!