Tuna Pasta Bake | Slimming Eats Recipes (2024)

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Delicious Tuna Pasta Bake - a perfect meal any day of the week for the whole family, using simple easy ingredients.

Tuna Pasta Bake | Slimming Eats Recipes (1)

This is probably the perfect dinner to make when you fancy a pasta bake. Using basic ingredients we always have on hand in the pantry/cupboard.

Pasta, canned tuna, passata, tomato paste, stock and a few fresh ingredients just to up those speed foods. This really is such a tasty meal that can be on the table in less than an hour.

Tuna Pasta Bake | Slimming Eats Recipes (2)

My kids love this pasta bake, all that yummy cheesy topping using a mixture of cheddar and mozzarella. Because you can never have enough cheese. Plus cheddar just goes perfectly with tuna, ever had a tuna melt? Delicious, right?

Of course, if you only have one type of cheese in the fridge, any will do.

For the fresh vegetables used in this Tuna Pasta Bake, I just added what I had available - onions, cherry tomatoes and a yellow pepper. But really you can use any vegetable in this that would go well with the tomato-based sauce.

The beauty of this Tuna Pasta Bake is keeping it simple by using what you have on hand.

Tuna Pasta Bake | Slimming Eats Recipes (3)

Once all the ingredients were ready to combine and be baked. I use mycute little Staubpan, as it was just the perfect size for this Tuna Pasta Bake.

Plus as it's a cast iron pan it retains the heat really well, keeping the bake nice and warm to serve up in the middle of the table with a mixed salad.

My kids love a dish where they can help themselves, encourages them to eat better too if I serve it this way, rather than dishes it up on a plate for them.

Any oven-proof dish will work fine though, so just use whatever dish you have.

Tuna Pasta Bake | Slimming Eats Recipes (4)

HOW CAN I ADD A ⅓ VEGETABLES TOTHIS TUNA PASTA BAKE?

You already have vegetables in the pasta bake, such as onion, garlic, pepper, tomatoes, but I also made up a big mixed salad of baby greens, cucumber, julienned carrot using my julienne peeler and some beetroot).

Tuna Pasta Bake | Slimming Eats Recipes (5)

What kitchen Items do I need to make this Tuna Pasta Bake?

Tuna Pasta Bake | Slimming Eats Recipes (6)

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Recipe Card

Tuna Pasta Bake | Slimming Eats Recipes (7)

Tuna Pasta Bake | Slimming Eats

Yield: 3 servings

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

This recipe is Weight Watchers friendly

WW Smart Points - 8

*suitable for freezing

Ingredients

  • 160g/5.6oz of penne pasta, dry
  • 1 x 160g/5.6oz can of tuna (in spring water), drained and flaked into smaller pieces
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 clove of garlic, crushed
  • 1 yellow pepper, chopped
  • 20 grape/cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 240ml (1 cup) of passata (or crushed tomatoes)
  • 240ml (1 cup)of vegetable or chicken stock
  • splash of Worcestershire sauce
  • 25g (0.8oz) of mozzarella cheese
  • 30g (1oz) of cheddar
  • cooking oil spray
  • fresh chopped Italian parsley, to serve
  • salt and black pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 180c/350f (gas mark 4)
  2. Spray a frying pan over a medium-high heat with cooking oil spray
  3. Add the onion and garlic and fry until softened.
  4. Add the tomatoes and yellow pepper and continue to fry for a couple of minutes.
  5. Add in the passata, stock, splash of Worcestershire sauce and some fresh chopped parsley.
  6. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat and allow to lightly bubble until it reduces down and thickens (approx 10 mins).
  7. 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.
  8. Sprinkle on top the cheddar and mozzarella and season with a little salt and black pepper.
  9. Place in the oven and bake for approx 30 mins until cheese on top is melted and lightly golden.
  10. 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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Nutritional information etc are an estimate and are to be used for informational purposes only. Ingredients can vary in values from brand to brand and therefore it would be impossible to give accurate information. It is always advised that you calculate values yourself by the ingredients you use and the tools provided to you as a member of the programme you are following.

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Nutrition Information

Yield 3Serving Size 1 serving
Amount Per ServingCalories 378Total Fat 6.7gSaturated Fat 3.6gCholesterol 36mgSodium 571mgCarbohydrates 56.4gFiber 3.5gSugar 8.4gProtein 23.9g

Are you Looking for Slimming World Syns or Weight Watchers (WW) Points?

We are removing all Slimming World syn values from the website, you can read more about that here.

To ensure precise calculations, we recommend utilizing the official tools provided with your membership to specific plans, as they may undergo regular updates. Values can vary between different brands, so it's essential to calculate recipes using these tools to guarantee accuracy in any recipe you prepare.

Disclosure:

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.” Check Legal section, for Full Disclaimer, Disclosure and Privacy Policy.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Stephie Jayne says

    How many syns is this on a green day?

    Reply

    • Revd Tricia Fogden says

      5 per 100g tuna in brine plus the sugar

      Reply

  2. Anita Lowe says

    is this 180 gms of cooked pasta ????

    Reply

    • Siobhan (Slimming Eats) says

      it is 180g of uncooked pasta 🙂

      Reply

  3. Moira Fox says

    Tonight I wanted a quick meal but filling too. This was delicious. Easy to make and felt like proper comfort food!

    Reply

  4. Rachel says

    how long do you cook in the oven for please? x

    Reply

  5. 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

    Reply

    • 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.

      Reply

  6. 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

    Reply

  7. Elaine says

    Absolutely amazing taste. My little one doesn't normally like tuna but she loved this pasta bake. Thank you!

    Reply

  8. May Fernandes says

    Would thoroughly recommend this. Easy to make and absolutely delicious!!

    Reply

  9. Wendy Bennison says

    It's so so nice, can it be reheated?

    Reply

    • Shevy (Slimming Eats) says

      yes I have reheated with no issues.

      Reply

  10. Helen says

    At what stage can you freeze

    Reply

    • Shevy (Slimming Eats) says

      Either before or after baking is fine.

      Reply

  11. 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!

    Reply

  12. 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.

    Reply

    • Shevy (Slimming Eats) says

      I personally wouldn't quark will make this sour tasting and may split.

      Reply

  13. Zoe says

    Thank you. It really was lovely x

    Reply

  14. Diane says

    This was an easy recipe to make and tasted absolutely delicious - spot on!

    Reply

  15. 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

    Reply

    • Siobhan (Slimming Eats) says

      yes tinned is fine, but flavour is best with fresh

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Tuna Pasta Bake | Slimming Eats Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Should you cook pasta before pasta bake? ›

Dried pasta needs to be par-boiled, then drained before using it in baked dishes. Just boil for half the time specified on the package. There is a type of dried no-boil lasagna sheets that don't require par-boiling, but they need extra water added to the sauce.

How to make tuna pasta bake Jamie Oliver? ›

Method
  1. Preheat the oven to 200ºC/400ºF/gas 6. Peel and finely chop the onion and garlic. ...
  2. Meanwhile, place a large pan of water on to boil. ...
  3. Drain the tuna and stir through the sauce, making sure you don't break it up too much. ...
  4. Coarsely grate the cheese and sprinkle over the pasta.

How long does tuna pasta bake last in the fridge? ›

Store leftover tuna bake in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. You could also freeze it for up to three months. Make sure to reheat until piping hot throughout.

Does it matter what pasta you use in a pasta bake? ›

For Baked Pasta Dishes

As for picking the perfect pasta shape, we recommend choosing a short cut—like Penne, Shells or Rigatoni—with hollow middles, twists or scoop-like shapes to capture all the goodness of your baked pasta: sauces, small ingredients and melty cheeses galore.

How long does uncooked pasta take to bake? ›

PREHEAT oven to 425 degrees. COMBINE uncooked pasta, 1 jar of Sauce and 1 jar of water in a 13 x 9 inch baking pan. Cover with aluminum foil. BAKE 30 minutes.

Why doesn't canned tuna need to be cooked? ›

Once the cans are filled and sealed, they also undergo processing, which the USDA explains is the method by which commercially canned goods are heated to 250 degrees Fahrenheit to destroy harmful microorganisms. From there, the vacuum seal prevents new bacteria from forming.

Do you rinse canned tuna before cooking? ›

Similarly, if tuna is part of a dish featuring a mix of other fresh proteins, rinsing can ensure that its flavor doesn't overpower the others, thus maintaining a balanced taste throughout. For recipes that thrive on robust flavors, leaving the tuna unrinsed is the way to go.

What does Martha Stewart put in her tuna salad? ›

directions. Combine tuna, celery, apple, mayonnaise, basil, and lemon juice; mix well. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Can you eat 4 day old tuna pasta? ›

USDA guidelines state that cooked fish is only good for 3-4 days when refrigerated. Additionally, foodsafety.gov states that the refrigerated shelf life of cold salads (tuna, egg, chicken, etc,) is 3-4 days. Can you eat tuna salad after a week? It is not recommended to eat tuna salad after a week.

Can you eat tuna pasta bake that's been left out overnight? ›

If you reheat food that was forgotten on the counter overnight or was left out all day, will it be safe to eat? TWO HOURS is the MAXIMUM time perishable foods should be at room temperature (ONE HOUR at temperatures 90 degrees F and higher). This INCLUDES the time they're on the table during your meal.

Can I eat tuna pasta bake the next day? ›

A pasta bake or chicken stir-fry dinner can make a great next-day lunch, but how long does it take for leftovers to become unsafe to eat? As a general rule, food should be eaten within two to three days of cooking.

What is the point of a pasta bake? ›

If there's anything more comforting than boiled pasta in a sauce, it's got to be baked pasta in a sauce. The baking adds a crispy crust that is such a delicious contrast to the tender goodness of the dish. The challenge is to how to get the pasta to turn out just right.

Should I cover my pasta bake? ›

Should I cover pasta when baking? The sauce and tomatoes in this Italian recipe provide enough moisture to bake it uncovered. Some pasta bake recipes may require covering to retain adequate moisture and prevent drying. It's always best to follow the method in the recipe.

Can pasta bake be eaten cold? ›

In the fridge Pasta Bake is a brilliant dish to eat as leftovers or for a packed lunch or picnic. Just store it in the fridge until you're ready to eat it (for no more than 3 days) and enjoy.

How much should I boil pasta before baking? ›

To avoid mushy baked pasta, seriously undercook the pasta in its boiling phase. Perry lets the pasta boil for just five minutes before draining it well and tossing it in the sauce. Because the pasta's going into a hot sauce in a hot oven, it'll continue to cook long after it's been drained.

Can you put uncooked pasta in sauce? ›

So, the short answer is yes, you can cook pasta in the sauce without boiling it first, but it might not turn out the way you want it to.

Do you boil ziti before baking? ›

Tightly covering the baking dish in aluminum foil forces the pasta to steam-cook in the marinara sauce, which eliminates the need to pre-boil the noodles. Most baked ziti recipes call for three cheeses: mozzarella (for cheese pulls), ricotta (for creaminess), and Parmesan.

Do you boil pasta before cooking? ›

Cover your pan with a lid to help bring the water up to the boil more quickly, then remove the lid once the water is boiling or reduce the temperature slightly to stop it bubbling over. Add the pasta to the water once it's boiling, never before, and cook without the lid.

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