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One-Pan Creamy Tuna Pasta Bake

Close-up of creamy tuna pasta bake scooped out, showing shredded tuna, peas, corn, and a golden breadcrumb topping.
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Make this comforting, creamy tuna pasta bake in one pan for a fast weeknight dinner. It uses pantry staples and delivers classic comfort food flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz pasta (penne or rotini)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 2 (5 oz) cans tuna in water, drained
  • 1/2 cup frozen peas
  • 1/2 cup frozen corn
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1 tablespoon butter, melted

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
  3. In a large, oven-safe skillet or pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
  4. Whisk in the flour to the onion mixture and cook for 1 minute. Slowly whisk in the milk until the mixture is smooth. Stir in the chicken broth.
  5. Bring the sauce to a simmer, stirring constantly until it thickens slightly, about 5 to 7 minutes. This is your quick white sauce base.
  6. Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the drained tuna, peas, corn, and 3/4 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese. Mix well to combine.
  7. Fold the cooked pasta into the sauce mixture. Transfer the mixture to your prepared baking dish if you did not use an oven-safe skillet.
  8. In a small bowl, mix the breadcrumbs with the melted butter. Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup of cheese over the pasta, then top with the buttered breadcrumbs.
  9. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the sauce is bubbly. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • For a brighter flavor, add 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard to the sauce when you add the milk.
  • If you want a cheesy topping, use Panko breadcrumbs instead of standard breadcrumbs.
  • This recipe is budget friendly because it relies on canned tuna and frozen vegetables.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://kitchenslang.com/tuna-pasta-one-pan-creamy-bake/