Tuna Pasta Bake is a classic comfort food that brings together creamy, cheesy goodness with hearty pasta and protein-packed tuna. This recipe, inspired by the legendary Mary Berry, is perfect for feeding a hungry family or as a make-ahead dish for busy weekdays. Bursting with flavor from tender pasta, sweetcorn, peas, and a rich cheddar cheese sauce, this dish is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
- 600g/1lb 5oz pasta shapes (fusilli, penne, or farfalle)
- 50g/2oz butter (about 3.5 tablespoons)
- 50g/2oz plain flour (about ⅓ cup)
- 600ml/20fl oz milk (about 2½ cups)
- ½ tsp mustard powder
- 200g/7oz extra-mature cheddar, grated (about 2 cups)
- 1 small can (100g) of drained corn kernels, roughly ⅓ cup
- 100g/3½oz peas (about ¾ cup)
- 3 spring onions, sliced
- 2 cans (185g each) of tuna packed in spring water, drained, approximately 13 oz in total
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Preheat your oven to 200°C/180°C Fan/Gas Mark 6 (400°F). Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Make the Cheese Sauce: In a medium saucepan, heat the butter over medium heat until melted. Add the flour, stirring constantly for 1-2 minutes to create a smooth roux. Slowly pour in the milk while whisking to prevent any lumps, and continue to cook until the sauce thickens and can coat the back of a spoon. Stir in the mustard powder and half of the shredded cheddar cheese, mixing until the cheese has fully melted and the sauce is velvety smooth.
- Prepare the Filling: In a spacious bowl, mix together the cooked pasta, corn, peas, chopped spring onions, and drained tuna. Pour the creamy cheese sauce over the ingredients and carefully toss until everything is evenly coated.
- Assemble and Bake : Spoon the mixture into a generously sized baking dish that’s safe for the oven. Evenly distribute the remaining shredded cheddar on top for a cheesy finish. Bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbling.
- Serve and Enjoy: Remove from the oven and let the bake rest for a few minutes before serving.
Conclusion:
Mary Berry’s Tuna Pasta Bake is a classic for a reason: it’s easy to prepare, packed with flavor, and perfect for feeding a crowd. With its creamy cheese sauce and hearty ingredients, it’s a dish that brings everyone to the table, offering both comfort and satisfaction.
Mary Berry’s Classic Tuna Pasta Bake: Comfort Food at Its Best
Acreamy and cheesy tuna pasta bake filled with sweetcorn, peas, and springonions, perfect for a comforting family meal.
- 600 g/1lb 5oz pasta shapes (fusilli, penne, or farfalle)
- 50 g/2oz butter (about 3.5 tablespoons)
- 50 g/2oz plain flour (about ⅓ cup)
- 600 ml/20fl oz milk (about 2½ cups)
- ½ tsp mustard powder
- 200 g/7oz extra-mature cheddar (grated (about 2 cups))
- 1 small can (100g of drained corn kernels, roughly ⅓ cup)
- 100 g/3½oz peas (about ¾ cup)
- 3 spring onions (sliced)
- 2 cans (185g each of tuna packed in spring water, drained, approximately 13 oz in total)
- Cook the Pasta: Preheat your oven to 200°C/180°C Fan/Gas Mark 6 (400°F). Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Make the Cheese Sauce: In a medium saucepan, heat the butter over medium heat until melted. Add the flour, stirring constantly for 1-2 minutes to create a smooth roux. Slowly pour in the milk while whisking to prevent any lumps, and continue to cook until the sauce thickens and can coat the back of a spoon. Stir in the mustard powder and half of the shredded cheddar cheese, mixing until the cheese has fully melted and the sauce is velvety smooth.
- Prepare the Filling: In a spacious bowl, mix together the cooked pasta, corn, peas, chopped spring onions, and drained tuna. Pour the creamy cheese sauce over the ingredients and carefully toss until everything is evenly coated.
- Assemble and Bake : Spoon the mixture into a generously sized baking dish that’s safe for the oven. Evenly distribute the remaining shredded cheddar on top for a cheesy finish. Bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbling.
- Serve and Enjoy: Remove from the oven and let the bake rest for a few minutes before serving.