Best 5 Italian Tuna Pasta Bake Recipes

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image

**Introduction:**

Embark on a culinary journey to the heart of Italy with our enticing Italian Tuna Pasta Bake. This delectable dish seamlessly blends the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean with the comforting goodness of a classic pasta bake. Dive into a symphony of textures, where tender tuna, succulent tomatoes, and al dente pasta harmonize perfectly. Discover a symphony of flavors, where herbs like basil and oregano dance in perfect harmony with the richness of Parmesan cheese. Our article presents a collection of irresistible recipes that showcase the versatility of this dish, each offering a unique twist on the classic. Whether you prefer a creamy white sauce or a vibrant tomato-based sauce, we have a recipe to tantalize your taste buds. Unleash your inner chef and prepare to indulge in a culinary masterpiece that will transport you to the sun-kissed shores of Italy.

**Recipes included in the article:**

* **Classic Italian Tuna Pasta Bake:** Experience the timeless flavors of this traditional recipe, featuring a luscious tomato sauce, succulent tuna, and a golden breadcrumb topping.

* **Creamy Italian Tuna Pasta Bake:** Indulge in a velvety white sauce that envelops tender tuna, pasta, and a medley of vegetables in this rich and comforting casserole.

* **Healthy Italian Tuna Pasta Bake:** Savor a lighter version of this classic dish, made with whole-wheat pasta, lean tuna, and a tangy tomato-herb sauce.

* **Easy Italian Tuna Pasta Bake:** Discover a quick and effortless recipe that delivers all the flavors of the classic dish without compromising on taste.

* **Vegetarian Italian Tuna Pasta Bake:** Transform this beloved recipe into a meatless masterpiece by replacing tuna with hearty vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, and spinach.

* **Gluten-Free Italian Tuna Pasta Bake:** Enjoy this classic dish without compromising on taste or texture, using gluten-free pasta and a creamy white sauce.

Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!

ITALIAN PASTA BAKE



Italian Pasta Bake image

I love to make this pasta bake whenever I need to bring a dish to pass. Fresh tomatoes add a nice touch that's missing from most other meat, pasta and tomato casseroles.-Karla Johnson, East Helena, Montana

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h5m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 pounds ground beef
1 large onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 jar (24 ounces) spaghetti sauce
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (4 ounces) mushroom stems and pieces, drained
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
3 cups uncooked medium pasta shells
3 plum tomatoes, sliced
3/4 cup shredded provolone cheese
3/4 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

Steps:

  • In a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until no longer pink. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Drain. Stir in spaghetti sauce, diced tomatoes, mushrooms and Italian seasoning. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 20 minutes., Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350°. Cook pasta according to package directions; drain. Add to beef mixture and gently stir in sliced plum tomatoes. , Transfer to an ungreased 13x9-in. baking dish. Sprinkle with cheeses. Bake 25-30 minutes or until bubbly and heated through.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 489 calories, Fat 20g fat (8g saturated fat), Cholesterol 80mg cholesterol, Sodium 702mg sodium, Carbohydrate 45g carbohydrate (10g sugars, Fiber 5g fiber), Protein 32g protein.

EASY TUNA PASTA BAKE



Easy Tuna Pasta Bake image

Looking for an easy midweek dinner option? Try this extremely simple yet delicious creamy tuna pasta bake with lots of Parmesan cheese.

Provided by Fioa

Categories     Seafood     Fish     Tuna

Time 45m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 (14.6 ounce) package penne pasta
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
1 onion, chopped
3 (5 ounce) cans tuna, drained and flaked
1 cup heavy whipping cream
salt and ground black pepper to taste
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 ¼ cups grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add penne and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 11 minutes. Drain and toss pasta with 1 tablespoon olive oil.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease an ovenproof baking dish.
  • While penne is cooking, melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring often, until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add tuna and cook for 2 minutes. Pour heavy cream over tuna and season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Add penne and toss well. Transfer to the prepared baking dish and cover with Parmesan cheese.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until the top is golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 857.2 calories, Carbohydrate 79.9 g, Cholesterol 139.5 mg, Fat 38.7 g, Fiber 4 g, Protein 48.9 g, SaturatedFat 21.2 g, Sodium 517.8 mg, Sugar 5 g

ITALIAN TUNA PASTA BAKE



Italian Tuna Pasta Bake image

This is definitely not your grandmother's tuna casserole. Rotini pasta, tomatoes, spinach and a rich, cheesy white sauce update this classic, and prove irresistible. You can also bake this in individual ramekins and freeze so it can be reheated for a quick, personal meal. Recipe is from Disney's Family Fun website.

Provided by PSU Lioness

Categories     Tuna

Time 50m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 16

2 cups fusilli (or any other kind of pasta)
1/2 onion, peeled and finely chopped
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon cornflour
1/2 cup water
1 (14 ounce) can low-sodium tomato soup, condensed
1 pinch mixed herbs
1 -2 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
1 (7 ounce) can tuna, drained and flaked
fresh ground black pepper
1/2 onion, peeled and finely chopped
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons plain flour
one and a quarter cups milk
2 cups Baby Spinach, chopped
1 cup cheddar cheese, grated, plus a little extra for the topping

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F
  • Cook the pasta in salted water until al dente, then drain and refresh in cold water to stop it from over cooking.
  • Melt the butter in a saucepan and sauté the onion until soft.
  • Stir the corn flour into the water until dissolved, then add to the onion pan along with the tomato soup.
  • Bring to a boil, add the herbs and then cook gently, stirring for five minutes.
  • Mix in the flaked tuna and heat through. Season to taste.
  • Mix into cooked pasta.
  • For the cheese and spinach sauce, melt the butter in a saucepan and sauté the onion until transparent.
  • Add the flour and continue stirring the mixture all the time.
  • Gradually pour in the milk and keep stirring until the sauce is thickened and smooth.
  • Add the chopped spinach and stir until wilted.
  • Remove from the heat and stir in the 2 c grated Cheddar cheese.
  • Grease a baking dish and add the tuna and tomato mixed with the pasta, and then pour the spinach sauce over top.
  • Sprinkle with some grated Cheddar cheese and bake in the oven for 25 minutes until golden.
  • This can also be frozen. Assemble casserole but do not sprinkle with cheese or bake. Thaw in refrigerator before baking. Sprinkle with cheese and bake according to normal instructions.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 258.4, Fat 16, SaturatedFat 9.4, Cholesterol 52.7, Sodium 221.7, Carbohydrate 14.4, Fiber 1.4, Sugar 6.3, Protein 14.3

ITALIAN-STYLE TUNA PASTA BAKE



Italian-Style Tuna Pasta Bake image

Mouth-watering tuna pasta baked topped with grated cheddar and grated mozzarella! Different from the usual tuna pasta bake which calls for condensed soup. Very easy and very YUMMY!

Provided by Maileen 78

Categories     Lunch/Snacks

Time 50m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 large onion
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 (270 g) canned tuna (drain)
2 (800 g) cans chopped tomatoes (do not drain)
4 tablespoons tomato paste
1 tablespoon Italian herb seasoning
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1 tablespoon garlic granules
2 tablespoons fresh basil (chopped)
4 cups pasta shells (cooked al dente)
1 1/2 cups grated cheddar cheese
1 cup grated mozzarella cheese
salt and pepper

Steps:

  • Heat oil in a fairly large pan (preferably a wok) and add the onion until it softens. About 2-3 minutes. Then add the tuna and sauté for another 3 minutes.
  • Add the chopped tomatoes, tomato puree, Italian herb seasoning, oregano, garlic granules and salt & pepper to taste.
  • Simmer for about 15 minutes-20 minutes or until the sauce has thickened stirring from time to time.
  • While the sauce is simmering, heat the oven at 200 degrees or 180 for fan-assisted ovens. And cooked the pasta shells 2 minutes less than the directed time on the packet. It needs to be a little bit tougher as it still needs to be cooked in the oven. DO NOT OVERCOOK. Drain and set aside.
  • When the sauce has thickened add the chopped fresh basil and the drained pasta shells and stir until thoroughly mix.
  • Transfer into an oven-proof dish and topped with grated cheddar and mozzarella. Bake for another 20- 25 minutes or until the cheese on top has turned golden brown.
  • ENJOY!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 940.9, Fat 33.4, SaturatedFat 15, Cholesterol 123.3, Sodium 1103.2, Carbohydrate 94.5, Fiber 9.3, Sugar 17.1, Protein 65.8

TUNA PASTA BAKE



Tuna Pasta Bake image

Make and share this Tuna Pasta Bake recipe from Food.com.

Provided by ZYXEL

Categories     Low Cholesterol

Time 25m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

250 g pasta
1 onion, chopped
400 ml skim milk
2 tablespoons cornflour
100 g frozen peas, defrosted
200 g tuna in brine, drained and flaked
50 g reduced-fat cheddar cheese, grated
15 g parmesan cheese, grated
2 tablespoons dried breadcrumbs
8 cherry tomatoes, halved
salt & freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Cook the pasta with the onion in a large saucepan of lightly salted, boiling water according to the pack instructions, Drain and rinse in cold water. Set it aside.
  • While the pasta is cooking, make the sauce. In a heatproof jug, mix 3 tablespoons of the milk with the cornflour to make a smooth paste. In a large saucepan, put the rest of the milk on to boil and when the liquid starts to creep up the sides of the pan,pour it over the cornflour paste, whisking as you do so.
  • Return the milk mixture to the pan and cook, stirring, on a low heat until it thickens. Add the peas and tuna, and then simmer for 2 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and cool slightly.
  • Mix in all the cheddar cheese and half of the Parmesan cheese, stir the cooked pasta into the sauce. Check the seasoning. Reheat it all gently in the pan but do not allow it to boil.
  • Preheat the grill. Transfer the pasta mixture to an ovenproof dish. Mix the remaining parmesan cheese with the breadcrumbs and scatter this over the top. Arrange the tomato halves, cut side up, over the breadcrumb topping.
  • Place the dish under the grill and cook until the top is crisp and golden. Serve on four warmed plates.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 485.5, Fat 9.2, SaturatedFat 3.3, Cholesterol 21.3, Sodium 441.5, Carbohydrate 65.1, Fiber 4.4, Sugar 5.3, Protein 34.1

Tips:

  • For the best flavor, use high-quality tuna. Look for tuna that is packed in olive oil or water, and avoid tuna that is packed in brine.
  • If you don't have any cooked pasta on hand, you can use uncooked pasta. Just add it to the casserole dish along with the other ingredients and increase the cooking time by 10-15 minutes.
  • Feel free to add other vegetables to this casserole, such as chopped zucchini, carrots, or bell peppers.
  • If you want a cheesier casserole, you can add 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese or mozzarella cheese to the top before baking.
  • Serve this casserole with a side of crusty bread or a green salad.

Conclusion:

Italian tuna pasta bake is a quick and easy meal that is perfect for a busy weeknight. It's packed with flavor and is sure to be a hit with the whole family. So next time you're looking for a delicious and satisfying meal, give this recipe a try.

Related Topics