Tomato Tuna Pasta Bake (Easy and Creamy)

I don't think I have ever been able to resist a second helping of this Easy Creamy Tomato Tuna Pasta Bake. This meal that is both simple and delightful with rigatoni pasta tubes in a super flavourful creamy tomato sauce, that your whole family is sure to love.

I have been a big fan of cosy and hearty pasta bakes throughout my life. Tuna pasta and Cheesy Pasta, and Stovetop Mac and Cheese were among my favourite childhood dinners and also a go-to during my student days.

My goal with this recipe was to inject some big bold flavours into the sauce and give it a wow-factor that other tuna pasta bakes lack. I have also found that some tuna bakes can be a little dry. Somehow tinned tuna absorbs a lot of liquid when baked in the oven. I have added milk and cream to ensure the sauce remains moist and juicy.

Short on time and need a really quick pasta recipe? Check out my Tuna Pesto Pasta. Or for another easy recipe with canned tuna try this Tuna Melt Wrap. It has all the cheesy tuna goodness of this pasta bake and takes just 15 minutes to put together.

The post contains additional information and helpful tips to ensure the recipe turns out great the first time. Please use the link above to jump to the recipe card at the end if you are in a hurry!

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• Key ingredients:
• Substitutions
• Variations:
• Recipe steps:
• Serving suggestions
• FAQs
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Key ingredients:

The ingredient list for this recipe is longer than I originally imagined it would be. I experimented with various seasonings and sauces I had in my fridge and cupboard and fell in love with the tasty flavours they all brought to the dish. I've listed most of these extras as optional if you're looking to keep things simple.

• Tuna fish - use canned tuna, ideally in spring water instead of oil or brine.
• Pasta - I like to use rigatoni because I like it when the filling makes its way into the tubes, but fusili, penne or conchiglie (pasta shells) will all work well.
• Seasoning - oregano, paprika and cayenne pepper bring bold flavours to the sauce.
• Tomato passata - I use passata instead of canned chopped tomatoes because I find a smooth sauce mixes well with the cream. It's also a key ingredient in my Tomato & Mascarpone Pasta Sauce.
• Milk & cream - bring richness and additional moisture to the sauce. I use single cream.
• Tomato purèe (tomato paste) - gives the creamy sauce a pronounced tomato taste.
• Red peppers and sweetcorn - because a meal just isn't complete without veggies.

Optional ingredients:

• Tabasco sauce - adds additional heat.
• Worcester sauce - adds umami flavour to the sauce.
• Breadcrumbs - sprinkle these onto the cheesy topping to add a crunch
• Jalapeños - are placed on top of the tuna bake to add a little extra heat. I use fresh jalapeños but you could also use the jarred pickled kind.

Substitutions

Note that the recipe has not been tested with all the substitutions and variations below, so the results cannot be guaranteed.

• Cheddar cheese: Grated mozzarella cheese or another type of hard cheese will also work well.
• Cayenne pepper: If you are very sensitive to spice you can swap the cayenne pepper for black pepper or leave it out.
• Single cream: Substitute with crème fraîche or sour cream. You can use a low-fat cream if you wish to make the tuna bake a little lighter.

Variations:

• Spicy: Add hot sauce or red chilli flakes.
• Italian style: Switch the sauce for a traditional marinara sauce with fresh basil.
• Creamy: With a creamy white sauce instead of a tomato-based sauce.

Recipe steps:

*Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full ingredients list & instructions! *

1. Cook the pasta: Bring a large pan of salted water to boil and cook the pasta until al dente on a medium-high heat, according to package instructions.

2. Fry the onions, red peppers and garlic: Put a large frying pan on a medium heat, add oil and fry the onions and peppers until they are soft and the onions are translucent. Add the garlic and cook for a further minute. Then stir in the tuna and cook until warmed through.

3. Make the sauce: Add tomato passata, tomato purèe, milk, oregano, smoked paprika and cayenne pepper, chicken/veg stock powder, Worcester sauce (if using) and corn. Simmer for 10 minutes before stirring in the cream and optional Tabasco Sauce.

4. Assemble: Mix the pasta and sauce together and spoon into an ovenproof baking dish. Top with grated cheese, breadcrumbs and jalapeños (optional).

5. Grill: Place the tuna bake under the grill until the cheese has fully melted and browned. This should take around 5 minutes.

Serving suggestions

With protein-rich tuna and hidden veggies, this easy pasta bake makes for a hearty standalone meal. A green salad on the side is great for breaking up the richness. A side of garlic bread is also a good shout.

FAQs

More pasta bakes:

Looking for more dinner ideas? Browse my other pasta recipes, they're all simple, tasty, and most can be whipped up in 30 minutes or less.

Did you try this recipe? It would be really great if you could leave a comment and a star rating ⭐️. I would love to receive your feedback and know that other readers find it helpful too.

Don't forget to tag #knifeandsoulrecipes on Instagram or @knifeandsoul on Pinterest!

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