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    Home > Pasta

    Creamy Tuna Pasta Bake

    Published: May 25, 2021 · Modified: Nov 23, 2022 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

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      Tomato Tuna Pasta Bake
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      Cheesy Pasta Bake With Chicken And Bacon
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    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!
    4.83 from 58 votes
    Rate this Recipe Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 45 minutes mins
    Total Time 55 minutes 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 peas
    • 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. Logan Jordynic Greymore says

      April 04, 2023 at 3:02 pm

      3 stars
      I won't lie, this was incredible and worth the effort but I don't like the texture of the peas and corn together with the pasta (if that was my fault, I'm sorry). Next time I don't think I'll add either one. AMAZING FLAVOUR AND RECIPE!!

      Reply
    2. Andy Young says

      February 24, 2023 at 12:58 pm

      5 stars
      Was absolutely delish but I added sliced jalapeños as I also like a bit of bite!! 🔥🔥 Worth a try if you like to spice things up a bit! 🤣

      Reply
    3. Diane says

      February 18, 2023 at 12:36 am

      The calories listed; is that per serving? How much is a serving? Thanks.

      Reply
    4. Alanah McGurgan says

      February 05, 2023 at 6:33 pm

      5 stars
      I love this as I'm not a meat chicken eater so simply made I just love your Recipes thank you

      Reply
    5. Neil says

      February 05, 2023 at 2:34 am

      5 stars
      So dang good. Thank you for the recipe only change i made was adding nutmeg about 1/2 tsp. I also did 2/3 of recipe to use up leftover rigotoni pasta. Comfort food for sure. I so not rate any dishes but This was worth it. I also skipped parsley

      Reply
    6. Dave Palfrey says

      December 22, 2022 at 9:25 pm

      What the hell is Petit Pois Sorry to show my ignorance. Can't be helped, I am Welsh

      Reply
    7. Sonja Lamberton says

      December 11, 2022 at 9:52 am

      5 stars
      A nice easy meal with very basic ingredients. Worked well with a salad. The kids will enjoy this one.

      Reply
    8. Justine says

      December 11, 2022 at 6:50 am

      Way too many pop up adds couldn’t even read the recipe clear 80% of the adds you don’t need to go overboard
      Was a struggle commenting with 20% of the screen available as it was 🙄

      Reply
      • Nicky Corbishley says

        December 12, 2022 at 8:33 am

        Hi Justine, you can click on the 'x' in the top right-hand corner of any ad. You could alteratively press the 'print recipe' button - it will come up with an ad-free screen with the recipe on.

        Reply
    9. Carman R Jaumott says

      November 23, 2022 at 12:40 am

      3 stars
      This dish took me way longer than 10 minutes prep time. The cook time at the top of the instructions says 45 minutes and at the bottom it says Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes. Only a seasoned cook would know what to do. Why does this recipe say petit pois? I googled it and found it means frozen peas. My sauce would not pour, it had to be scraped out of the sauce pan. Flavor was rather bland. I would make it again with several adjustments.

      Reply
      • Nicky Corbishley says

        November 23, 2022 at 4:55 pm

        Hi Carmen,
        The recipe takes 55 minutes altogether. The 45 minute cook time includes not only the baking time, but also the time for boiling the pasta, sautéing the onions etc - since we're actually cooking for that time too.
        I've changed the 'petit pois' to peas just for you. It means 'small peas' and is a particular type of small, sweet pea (usally bought frozen) - which gives the dish extra flavour. However, I've updated to simply say peas. I hope that's helpful 🙂

        Reply
    10. Lissa says

      November 17, 2022 at 5:36 am

      5 stars
      Delicious!! Easy to make, sooo tasty, now a firm family favorite. Thank you ❤

      Reply
    11. Carol Pierson says

      October 03, 2022 at 12:15 pm

      5 stars
      Our granddaughters wanted to lick the pan! The only modification I made is that I used broccoli chopped fine instead of corn and peas because they love broccoli. It was a big hit!
      Gram

      Reply
    12. Andy says

      August 13, 2022 at 7:09 pm

      5 stars
      Excellent dinner with garlic bread

      Reply
    13. patricia says

      August 12, 2022 at 7:53 am

      this recipe is so nice. my new go to

      Reply
    14. Lucia smith says

      July 26, 2022 at 6:08 pm

      5 stars
      The creamy Tuna Pasta Bake recipe is quite tasty and easy to make but I prefer to bake it with ghee instead of using butter. Ghee offers higher smoke point and dairy-free content. I always grass-fed ghee. However, thanks Nicky for sharing such a beautiful recipe for all of us.

      Reply
    15. Glyn says

      July 26, 2022 at 3:56 pm

      5 stars
      It's been a while since I made anything similar - the previous recipe I had just wasn't great.
      I tried this tonight, and it's definitely going to be a regular on the menu!

      Reply
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