This Tuna Pasta Bake is a delicious family-friendly meal that is perfect for any day of the week. Made with simple pantry staples and a handful of fresh ingredients, it's an easy dinner that is packed with flavour and sure to be a hit with the whole family.
The beauty of this recipe is how versatile it is. Tender pasta is combined with tuna in a rich tomato-based sauce, loaded with vegetables and topped with a delicious layer of melted cheese. Using ingredients you likely already have on hand, it's a comforting and satisfying meal that can be on the table in less than an hour.
Calories in Tuna Pasta Bake
This recipe serves 3 and is 520 calories per serving.
If you're looking for more recipes by calories, you'll find plenty of options grouped by calorie range here: Slimming Eats Low Calorie Recipes
If you're following a calorie-controlled diet or a healthy eating plan, it's important to calculate your daily calorie needs using a reliable calorie calculator. The calorie counts provided are estimates and can vary depending on the exact ingredients and portion sizes you use. Using your own calculations helps ensure you're meeting your individual needs. A calorie calculator can help you make informed choices and stay on track with your goals.
See the recipe card for full nutritional estimation.
Ingredients Notes
To make this recipe you will need the following ingredients:
- Penne Pasta: Penne works perfectly in pasta bakes as it holds its shape well and catches plenty of the sauce. Other short pasta shapes such as fusilli, rigatoni or macaroni can also be used.
- Tuna: Tuna in spring water keeps this dish lighter while adding plenty of protein. Be sure to drain well before adding to the sauce.
- Onion: Adds sweetness and flavour to the base of the sauce.
- Garlic: A little garlic adds extra depth and complements the tomato-based sauce perfectly.
- Yellow Pepper: Adds colour, sweetness and an extra serving of vegetables. Red or orange peppers work just as well.
- Cherry Tomatoes: Add bursts of freshness and sweetness throughout the pasta bake.
- Passata: Creates the rich tomato sauce that coats the pasta. Crushed tomatoes can be used instead if preferred.
- Stock: Helps create a flavourful sauce while adding extra depth. Either vegetable or chicken stock works well. Once you've gathered all the ingredients and prepared them accordingly, you're all set to create this easy and delightful recipe.
- See the recipe card for specific quantities and instructions.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Adds a savoury richness that enhances the flavour of the tuna and tomato sauce.
- Mozzarella Cheese: Provides that delicious melted, stretchy topping that makes pasta bakes so comforting.
- Cheddar Cheese: Adds a rich, cheesy flavour that pairs perfectly with tuna. A mature cheddar will give the strongest flavour. I use orange cheddar.
- Cooking Oil Spray: Used for sautéing the vegetables while keeping the recipe lighter.
- Fresh Italian Parsley: Adds freshness and colour when sprinkled over the finished dish.
- Salt and Black Pepper: Essential for seasoning and bringing all the flavours together.
Once you've gathered all the ingredients and prepared them accordingly, you're all set to create this easy and delightful recipe.
See the recipe card for specific quantities and instructions.
Variations and Substitutes
This tuna pasta bake is easy to adapt with a few simple swaps depending on what you have available.
- Try a different pasta: Penne can be replaced with fusilli, rigatoni, macaroni, farfalle or any short pasta shape that holds sauce well.
- Use a different protein: Swap the tuna for cooked chicken, salmon, prawns or even leftover turkey.
- Add extra vegetables: Sweetcorn, peas, mushrooms, courgette, spinach, broccoli or roasted peppers all work well in this dish.
- Switch the tomatoes: Passata can be replaced with crushed tomatoes, chopped canned tomatoes or a tomato pasta sauce. But use good quality brands otherwise your sauce can end up watery.
- Try different cheeses: Mozzarella and cheddar are a great combination, but you can use Red Leicester, Monterey Jack, Gouda or any cheese that melts well.
- Make it spicy: Add a pinch of chilli flakes, cayenne pepper or a few slices of fresh chilli to the sauce.
- Boost the flavour: Stir in some dried oregano, basil, Italian seasoning or a teaspoon of pesto for extra flavour.
- Add more protein: Stir through a second can of tuna or some cannellini beans for a more filling meal.
- Swap the peppers: Red, orange or green peppers can be used instead of yellow pepper.
- Make it creamy: Stir a little light cream cheese, crème fraîche or reduced fat cream to give a creaminess to the sauce.
- Use different toppings: For extra crunch, sprinkle over some breadcrumbs before baking, or add a little Parmesan alongside the mozzarella and cheddar.
Side Suggestions
Tuna pasta bake is a complete meal on its own, but it pairs perfectly with some simple sides to add freshness and extra vegetables.
A crisp green salad with lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes and red onion is always a great choice, helping to balance the richness of the creamy pasta bake. You could also serve it with steamed vegetables such as broccoli, green beans, peas or asparagus.
If you're looking for something a little more substantial, a warm crusty roll or some homemade wedges make excellent accompaniments. For extra vegetables, roasted Mediterranean vegetables, tenderstem broccoli or a simple side of sautéed spinach all work beautifully alongside the tuna pasta bake.
Storing, Freezing and Reheating
Storing: Allow the tuna pasta bake to cool completely before transferring to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freezing: This pasta bake freezes well for up to 3 months. Allow it to cool completely, then portion into freezer-safe containers or wrap the entire dish well before freezing. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating: Reheat in the oven at 180°C (fan 160°C), 350°F until piping hot throughout. Individual portions can also be reheated in the microwave. If the pasta has absorbed some of the sauce during storage, add a splash of stock or water before reheating to help loosen it up and restore moisture.
More Pasta Recipes
Love Pasta Recipes? Check out some of these recipes:
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Recipe Card
Tuna Pasta Bake
Delicious Tuna Pasta Bake - a perfect meal any day of the week for the whole family, using simple easy ingredients.
Ingredients
- 180g (6.3oz) of penne pasta, dry
- 1 x 160g (5.6oz) can of tuna (in spring water), drained and flaked into smaller pieces
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1 clove of garlic, crushed
- 1 yellow pepper, chopped
- 20 grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
- 240g (1 cup) of passata (or crushed tomatoes)
- 240ml (1 cup) of vegetable or chicken stock
- splash of Worcestershire sauce
- 50g (1.7oz) of mozzarella cheese
- 60g (2oz) of cheddar
- olive oil spray
- fresh chopped Italian parsley, to serve
- salt and black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 160c fan, 180c, 350f (gas mark 4)
- Spray a frying pan over a medium-high heat with olive oil spray
- Add the onion and garlic and fry until softened.
- Add the tomatoes and yellow pepper and continue to fry for a couple of minutes.
- Add in the passata, stock, splash of Worcestershire sauce and some fresh chopped parsley.
- Bring to a boil and then reduce heat and allow to lightly bubble until it reduces down and thickens (approx 10 mins).
- While the sauce is reducing, cook the pasta according to package instructions, until al dente. drain and then stir into the sauce along with the tuna.
- Sprinkle on top the cheddar and mozzarella and season with a little salt and black pepper.
- Place in the oven and bake for approx 30 mins until cheese on top is melted and lightly golden.
- Enjoy!!
Notes
Please see below for full nutritional info and additional details about recipe:
- Calories - scroll down to nutritional info box
- WW Points and other Slimming or Weight Loss programs - due to plans regularly changing and updating, we recommend calculating with the official tools you get as a member to those plans to ensure accuracy of values.
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Nutrition Information
Yield
3Serving Size
1 servingAmount Per Serving Calories 520Total Fat 13gSaturated Fat 6gUnsaturated Fat 6gCholesterol 48mgSodium 649mgCarbohydrates 71gFiber 7gSugar 13gProtein 32g
Nutritional information and values etc are an estimate and is to be used for informational purposes only. Ingredients can vary greatly from brand to brand and therefore it would be impossible to give accurate information. It is always advised that you calculate by the ingredients you use.
Stephie Jayne says
How many syns is this on a green day?
Revd Tricia Fogden says
5 per 100g tuna in brine plus the sugar
Anita Lowe says
is this 180 gms of cooked pasta ????
Siobhan (Slimming Eats) says
it is 180g of uncooked pasta 🙂
Moira Fox says
Tonight I wanted a quick meal but filling too. This was delicious. Easy to make and felt like proper comfort food!
Rachel says
how long do you cook in the oven for please? x
Shevy (Slimming Eats) says
approx 25-30 minutes.
Amy Williams says
Made this tonight it was so easy to do but tasted like there was a lot of effort in it went lovely with salad
Shevy (Slimming Eats) says
Hi Amy, so glad you enjoyed it. Sometimes the simplest of recipes can be the most enjoyable, it just shows that recipes don't always need to be complicated. Thank you for commenting.
Rachel says
This recipe was delicious. I’ve strived to find a recipe close to the jar sauces, with little luck and they all tasted too tomatoey, but this recipe is the next best thing (if not better) to the jar sauces
Elaine says
Absolutely amazing taste. My little one doesn't normally like tuna but she loved this pasta bake. Thank you!
May Fernandes says
Would thoroughly recommend this. Easy to make and absolutely delicious!!
Wendy Bennison says
It's so so nice, can it be reheated?
Shevy (Slimming Eats) says
yes I have reheated with no issues.
Helen says
At what stage can you freeze
Shevy (Slimming Eats) says
Either before or after baking is fine.
Samantha says
This recipe is just what I have been looking for! First week on SW I used a jar and was shocked that it was working out at 6 and a half syns per portion. This version is delicious and the peppers really add something to the flavour. Now I can enjoy lunch as much as before but with the added benefit of keeping syns for treats 😉 thank you!
Kate Speed says
Can I replace Mozzarella with Quark (need to use my Quark before it goes out of date LOL). If so how much should I use.
Shevy (Slimming Eats) says
I personally wouldn't quark will make this sour tasting and may split.
Zoe says
Thank you. It really was lovely x
Diane says
This was an easy recipe to make and tasted absolutely delicious - spot on!
H says
Hi,
Wanting to make this tonight but I only have tinned tomatoes and passatta, no cherry tomatoes. Will tinned tomatoes be ok to use?
TIA
Siobhan (Slimming Eats) says
yes tinned is fine, but flavour is best with fresh