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Ultimate Creamy Tuna Pasta Bake with Crispy Cheddar Topping

A generous slice of creamy tuna pasta bake showing macaroni, tuna, and peas, topped with a golden, bubbly cheese crust.
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Make this easy tuna pasta bake for a comforting, cheesy weeknight dinner. It features a rich, homemade cheese sauce and a satisfyingly crispy topping.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces dried pasta (penne or elbow macaroni)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 2 cans (5 ounces each) tuna in water, drained well
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • 1/2 cup frozen sweetcorn
  • 1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded, divided
  • 1/2 cup Panko breadcrumbs

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
  3. While the pasta cooks, prepare the cheese sauce. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour and cook for one minute, stirring constantly.
  4. Gradually whisk in the milk until the mixture is smooth. Continue cooking, stirring often, until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 5 to 7 minutes.
  5. Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
  6. Stir 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese into the sauce until fully melted and smooth. This creates your creamy base.
  7. In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, the drained tuna, frozen peas, and frozen sweetcorn. Pour the cheese sauce over the pasta mixture and toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
  8. Transfer the mixture to your prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
  9. In a small bowl, toss the Panko breadcrumbs with 1 tablespoon of melted butter (optional, for extra crispness). Sprinkle the breadcrumbs over the cheese layer.
  10. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the topping is golden brown and crispy.
  11. Let the tuna pasta bake rest for 5 minutes before you serve it.

Notes

  • For a richer flavor, use tuna packed in oil instead of water, draining it well before adding.
  • You can substitute frozen vegetables with canned, but drain them thoroughly to avoid excess liquid in the bake.
  • If you want a stronger cheese flavor in the topping, mix the Panko with 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://hearthbite.com/tuna-pasta-bake-creamy-easy-recipe/