Deliciously Hearty Tuna Pasta Bake
Transform your dinner table with this scrumptious Tuna Pasta Bake featuring bow tie pasta, savory mushrooms, and a delightful homemade Parmesan cream sauce. This recipe ditches the canned soup and instead, embraces fresh ingredients for a creamy, flavorful dish that's perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions. Red bell peppers add a pop of color and sweetness, while scallions provide a mild, fresh bite. With a hint of cayenne pepper for warmth, each bite is satisfying and full of character. Topped with crispy breadcrumbs and a generous layer of Parmesan, it's a comforting casserole the whole family will love. Inspired by Art Smith's 'Kitchen Life', this dish can easily be elevated with the substitution of Ritz cracker crumbs on top for an extra layer of crunch and flavor.
6
Servings
317
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
bow tie pasta
1 lb (uncooked)
unsalted butter
5 tablespoons (melted)
red bell pepper
1 (chopped)
white mushrooms
10 ounces (sliced)
scallions
3 (chopped)
flour
1/3 cup (sifted)
milk
2 cups (whole or 2%)
chicken broth
1 cup (low sodium preferred)
tuna
2 (6 ounce) cans (drained and flaked)
parmesan cheese
3/4 cup (freshly grated)
cayenne pepper
1/8 teaspoon (to taste)
salt
to taste
pepper
to taste
dried breadcrumbs
1/4 cup
Instructions
1
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and position a rack in the center. Lightly greasing a 2½ to 3-quart baking dish will prevent sticking.
2
2. In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the bow tie pasta and cook until al dente (it will finish cooking in the oven). Drain the pasta and return it to the pot.
3
3. While the pasta is cooking, melt the unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped red bell pepper and sauté for about 3 minutes, stirring frequently until softened.
4
4. Add the sliced white mushrooms and chopped scallions to the skillet, cooking for another 6 minutes until the mushrooms are tender and the juices have evaporated.
5
5. Sprinkle the flour over the vegetable mixture, stirring well to combine. Gradually pour in the milk and chicken broth, stirring constantly until the mixture comes to a boil.
6
6. Lower the heat to medium-low and let the sauce simmer for about 3 minutes, or until slightly thickened. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
7
7. Remove the skillet from heat and gently fold in the drained and flaked tuna, ½ cup of the freshly grated Parmesan cheese, and the cayenne pepper. Mix this creamy sauce into the pasta and season with salt and pepper to taste.
8
8. Transfer the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Sprinkle the remaining ¼ cup of Parmesan cheese and the dried breadcrumbs on top.
9
9. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbling and the top is golden brown. Allow the casserole to stand for 5 minutes before serving hot to enjoy at its best.
Nutrition Information
13g
Fat
38g
Carbs
14g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Deliciously Hearty Tuna Pasta Bake?
It is a comforting casserole featuring bow tie pasta, savory mushrooms, red bell peppers, and a homemade Parmesan cream sauce, topped with crispy breadcrumbs.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe is designed to yield 6 servings.
What is the recommended oven temperature?
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and position a rack in the center.
What size baking dish do I need?
A lightly greased 2½ to 3-quart baking dish is required for this recipe.
What type of pasta is used in this bake?
The recipe calls for 1 lb of uncooked bow tie pasta.
How should the pasta be cooked?
Boil the pasta in salted water until it is al dente, as it will continue to cook in the oven.
What vegetables are included in the dish?
The recipe includes one chopped red bell pepper, 10 ounces of sliced white mushrooms, and 3 chopped scallions.
How is the red bell pepper prepared?
The pepper should be chopped and sautéed in butter for about 3 minutes until softened.
How long should I cook the mushrooms and scallions?
They should be cooked for approximately 6 minutes until the mushrooms are tender and their juices have evaporated.
How is the sauce thickened?
The sauce is thickened by sprinkling 1/3 cup of sifted flour over the sautéed vegetables and then adding milk and chicken broth.
What kind of milk should be used?
The recipe recommends using 2 cups of either whole or 2% milk.
What type of broth is suggested for the sauce?
One cup of low-sodium chicken broth is preferred for this recipe.
How much tuna is required?
You will need two 6-ounce cans of tuna.
How do I prepare the tuna for the casserole?
The tuna should be drained and flaked before being folded into the sauce.
How much Parmesan cheese is used in total?
A total of 3/4 cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese is used.
How is the Parmesan cheese distributed in the dish?
Use 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese inside the sauce and save the remaining 1/4 cup for the topping.
What provides the heat in this recipe?
A hint of warmth is provided by 1/8 teaspoon (or to taste) of cayenne pepper.
What makes up the topping for the bake?
The topping consists of 1/4 cup of dried breadcrumbs and the remaining Parmesan cheese.
Can I substitute the breadcrumb topping?
Yes, for extra crunch and flavor, you can substitute Ritz cracker crumbs for the breadcrumbs.
How long does the Tuna Pasta Bake cook in the oven?
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until the sauce is bubbling and the top is golden brown.
Should I let the dish rest after baking?
Yes, let the casserole stand for 5 minutes before serving to enjoy it at its best.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 317 calories.
How much fat is in each serving?
There are 13g of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are 38g of carbohydrates per serving.
What is the protein content per serving?
Each serving provides 14g of protein.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 14 ingredients used in this recipe.
Who inspired this recipe?
This dish was inspired by Art Smith's 'Kitchen Life'.
How much butter is needed for the vegetables?
You will need 5 tablespoons of unsalted butter.
Are there any tips for preventing the pasta from sticking?
Lightly greasing your baking dish will prevent the pasta mixture from sticking.
What is the flavor profile of the sauce?
The sauce is a creamy, homemade Parmesan cream sauce with a mild, fresh bite from scallions and a hint of warmth from cayenne.