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    Home > Pasta

    Creamy Tuna Pasta Bake

    Published: May 25, 2021 · Modified: May 29, 2021 by Nicky Corbishley

    Go to Recipe Go to Video Print Recipe

    Creamy Tuna Pasta Bake - tuna with pasta, peas and sweetcorn in a a lovely creamy, cheesy sauce. It's an easy meal that everyone loves - made with mostly store-cupboard ingredients!

    Overhead image of creamy tuna pasta bake in a white dish with a scoopful taken out.

    Jump to:
    • 📋 What do we need?
    • 📺 Watch how to make it
    • 🍽️ What to serve it with
    • 🍲 More fantastic Pasta Bakes
    • Creamy Tuna Pasta Bake
    • 💬 Reviews

    There's something about a pasta bake that just seems to make everyone so happy. Possibly the promise of a luxuriously filling meal, topped with cheese and oozing with some kind of sauce 😍.

    📋 What do we need?

    Overhead picture of Tuna Pasta Bake ingredients on a wooden background.

    This creamy tuna pasta bake is a store cupboard saviour. Pasta, sweetcorn, tuna fish - all make up the bulk of the meal. Frozen peas are a great addition too - but you can use canned or fresh if you like.

    Apart from that, we're really just talking milk, cheese and a bit of butter from the fridge.

    📺 Watch how to make it

    Full recipe with detailed steps in the recipe card at the end of this post.

    👩‍🍳PRO TIP Use albacore tuna if you can - it has a lovely creamy-meaty taste. If you haven't got it, don't worry, regular tuna works great too.
    I would always suggest using tuna fish in oil (drain it before adding to the dish) as it has more flavour and a richer texture. However, you can use tuna in water or brine if you prefer.

    Close up of creamy tuna pasta bake in a white baking dish.

    🍽️ What to serve it with

    • Parmesan Carrot Fries or Oven-Baked Potato Fries
    • Homemade Garlic Bread
    • A nice crisp salad

    🍲 More fantastic Pasta Bakes

    • Vegetable Pasta Bake
    • Tomato Tuna Pasta Bake
    • Creamy Chicken Alfredo Pasta Bake
    • Cheesy Pasta Bake With Chicken And Bacon
    • Smoky Meatball Pasta Bake By My Fussy Eater
    • Chicken and Bacon Mac and Cheese

    Stay updated with new recipes!
    Subscribe to the newsletter to hear when I post a new recipe. I’m also on YouTube (new videos every week) and Instagram (behind-the-scenes stories & beautiful food photos).

    Overhead image of tuna pasta bake in a white dish topped with finely chopped parsley.

    Creamy Tuna Pasta Bake

    By: Nicky Corbishley
    Creamy Tuna Pasta Bake - a classic meal that everyone loves - made with mostly store-cupboard ingredients!
    4.88 from 40 votes
    Rate this Recipe Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 45 mins
    Total Time 55 mins
    Course Dinner
    Cuisine British, Italian
    Servings 6 servings
    Calories 690 kcal

    Ingredients
     

    • 400 g (14 oz) rigatoni pasta
    • 3 tbsp butter
    • 1 onion - peeled and chopped finely
    • 40 g (⅓ cup) plain/all purpose flour
    • 600 ml (2.5 cups) milk
    • 250 g (2.5 packed cups) strong cheddar, grated
    • ¼ tsp salt
    • ¼ tsp pepper
    • 320 g (11 oz) canned tuna (albacore tuna if possible) - drained and flaked
    • 330 g (11.5 oz) canned sweetcorn - , drained
    • 150 g (1 cup) frozen petit pois
    • chopped parsley to serve

    INSTRUCTIONS
     

    • Heat oven to 180C/350f.
    • Boil a large pan of water, add the pasta and cook for 10 minutes.
    • Whilst the pasta is cooking, melt the butter in a saucepan, add in the onion and cook on low for 6-8 minutes until the onions are very soft.
    • Turn up the heat to medium and stir in the flour. Cook for 1-2 minutes. Slowly add the milk, using a whisk to stir (just stir, don’t whisk) it in.
    • Once all the milk is incorporated, continue to heat whilst stirring until the sauce thickens. Then stir in ⅔ of the cheese until melted. Season with the salt and pepper.
    • Drain the pasta and pour into a 20x30cm baking dish. Pour over the white sauce, then add the tuna, sweetcorn and petit pois.
    • Mix together, then sprinkle on the remaining cheese.
    • Bake in the oven for 15-20 mins until the cheese is golden brown. Top with a sprinkling of parsley before serving.

    Video

    ✎ Notes

    Can you make it ahead?
    Yes, make up the dish and sprinkle with the cheese (but don't bake in the oven). Cover and refrigerate for up to two days.
    Take out of the refrigerator an hour before you want to cook it, to take the chill off the dish (and to help prevent cold spots upon heating) then place in the oven covered in foil at 190C/375F for 10 minutes, then a further 20-25 minutes uncovered. Check that it's piping hot in the middle before serving.
    Can you freeze it?
    Yes, make up the dish and sprinkle with the cheese (but don't bake in the oven). Cover and freeze.
    Defrost in the refrigerator overnight. Take out of the refrigerator an hour before you want to cook it, to take the chill off, then place in the oven covered in foil at 190C/375F for 10 minutes, then a further 20-25 minutes uncovered. Check that it's piping hot in the middle before serving.
    Which pasta shapes?
    I used rigatoni, but any large pasta shapes will work. spiralli, shells, fusilli and penne are all good options.
    Nutrition info is for one serving of this recipe (this recipe serves 6).

    Nutrition

    Calories: 690kcalCarbohydrates: 66gProtein: 40gFat: 28gSaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 78mgSodium: 547mgPotassium: 528mgFiber: 3gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 990IUVitamin C: 11.4mgCalcium: 447mgIron: 2.7mg
    Keywords Any Time Of the year, Family Meal, homemade
    Tried this recipe?Mention @KitchenSanctuary or tag #KitchenSanctuary on Instagram!

    This post was first published in Feb 2016. Updated in May 2021 with new photos, video and FAQs.

    Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links – which means if you buy the product I get a small commission (at no extra cost to you). If you do buy, then thank you! That’s what helps us to keep Kitchen Sanctuary running. The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors. For more information please see our Terms & Conditions.

    Hi I’m Nicky

    I love to cook and I want to share with you my favourite, delicious family friendly recipes. I want to inspire you to create fantastic food for your family every day.

    Read More
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    Reader Interactions

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    1. TERRI says

      March 16, 2022 at 4:44 am

      5 stars
      SO EASY TO MAKE AND FILLING THE KIDS LOVE IT BETTER THEN MAC AND CHEESE

      Reply
    2. Brendon Harvey says

      February 21, 2022 at 10:51 pm

      5 stars
      So easy to make. Fantastic taste

      Reply
    3. Greg Divine says

      November 23, 2021 at 12:32 am

      5 stars
      This was very tasty! Easy to make and delicious , you can’t beat that . Tuna , pasta and cheese is right up my ally and the family loved it . Definitely will be making it again . Thanks for sharing the recipe with us .

      Reply
    4. [email protected] says

      September 21, 2021 at 12:45 pm

      4 stars
      This is a great and an easy recipe, however my version of it didn't hold together as expected, probably wrong cheese or not enough of it. Thanks anyway!

      Reply
    5. Alex Morgan says

      July 17, 2021 at 6:49 am

      5 stars
      Delicious and so easy; got me hooked on cooking (much to wife’s delight!!)

      Reply
    6. janice meldrum says

      June 30, 2021 at 7:46 am

      5 stars
      Really tasty dish and easy to prepare in advance. Served with garlic bread.

      Reply
    7. Andi Depiero says

      June 24, 2021 at 10:11 pm

      5 stars
      This was very delicious and flavourful! Big hit with my whole family...thank you!

      Reply
    8. Charne Bezuidenhout says

      June 10, 2021 at 5:34 pm

      5 stars
      Thank you for sharing this recipe! It was absolutely devine. It is also the easiest way for making the cheese sauce, definitely mu new favourite.

      Reply
    9. Isra says

      June 07, 2021 at 11:42 am

      5 stars
      I made this today and it was great but I was out of tuna so I boiled some chicken thighs in pressure cooker instead and it turned out so yummy thank you

      Reply
    10. Marcia Tennant says

      May 28, 2021 at 8:26 am

      5 stars
      Brilliant. Really tasty. Thank you.

      Reply
    « Older Comments

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