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    Home ยป Recipes ยป Dinner ยป Pasta

    Easy Tomato Tuna Pasta Bake

    Published: Mar 23, 2023 ยท Updated: Feb 23, 2025 by Neil 20 Comments

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    A portion of tomato tuna pasta bake served on a white plate with a knife and fork to the right. Pin title text overlay at top.

    This easy tomato tuna pasta bake is a perfect delicious dish for busy weeknights that only requires a few ingredients, minimal time in the kitchen and is sure to be a hit with the whole family!

    Tomato tuna pasta bake in a pasta dish covered in metled cheese just removed from the oven. Side salad above and a serving spoon to the left.

    Folks, if you're looking for a simple and delicious meal to prepare, look no further than this easy tomato tuna pasta bake.

    Just like my tuna macaroni bake this is a quick and easy family recipe to put together.

    It's an ideal pasta bake for a busy week nights dinner which you can whip up in very little time.

    You'll find this tuna tomato pasta bake healthy too.

    Even though it's still a creamy tomato tuna pasta bake, it's not made with any cream and the basic ingredients used won't break the bank either!

    A portion of tuna tomato pasta bake served on a plate with a knife and fork to the side. Rest of the dish and a side salad above.

    In order to make a creamy sauce for this tuna and tomato pasta bake, I made a white sauce first and then added tomato passata.

    You'll find this is a great substitute lighter sauce that I use in many of my recipes. Some of which you can check out below!

    Whilst this classic tomato tuna pasta bake is pretty filling by itself you can easily bulk it up with a side dish if you're serving to a large family or at a dinner party.

    As a side dish serving suggestion I just usually serve it with a green salad.

    But you could also serve it with some green vegetables like broccoli or peas. Or even a garlic bread.

    Overhead view of a plate of easy tomato tuna pasta bake with a knife and fork to the side. Rest of the pasta bake in a casserole dish above alongside a dish of green salad.
    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Step By Step Instructions
    • Substitutions
    • Equipment
    • FAQ's
    • Other Popular Pasta Bake Recipes To Try
    • ๐Ÿ“‹ Easy Tomato Tuna Pasta Bake Recipe
    • Nutrition Label
    • Rate The Recipe

    Ingredients

    Easy tomato tuna pasta bake ingredients laid out on a table.
    • Whole Wheat Fusilli
    • Olive oil
    • Onion
    • Skimmed Milk
    • Plain Flour / All Purpose Flour
    • Tomato Passata
    • Freshly Ground Salt And Black Pepper
    • Canned Tuna
    • Fresh Basil
    • Low Fat Grated Cheddar Cheese

    See recipe card for quantities.

    Step By Step Instructions

    Detailed instructions are in the recipe card below. But here is a quick step by step guide of how to make this easy tuna pasta bake recipe:

    Whole wheat fusilli cooked in a pan of boiling salted water.

    Steps 1 & 2

    • Pre-heat Oven to 180C Fan.
    • Cook the pasta until al dente.
    Sautéd onion in a large saucepan.

    Step 3

    • Whilst the pasta is cooking, sauté the onion.
    White sauce made in saucepan with the sauted onion.

    Step 4

    • Add the milk and flour into the saucepan with the onion and make the white sauce.
    Tomato passata stirred into the white sauce.

    Step 5

    • Stir in the tomato passata. Simmer until the sauce has thickened. Season to taste.
    Pasta, tuna and basil added to the passata.

    Step 6

    • Add the drained pasta, drained tuna and basil and stir well together.
    Easy tomato tuna pasta bake in a baking dish ready to go into the oven.

    Step 7

    • Pour the contents of the saucepan into an oven proof dish, sprinkle with the cheese and place onto the middle shelf of your oven.
    Cooked tomato tuna pasta bake removed from oven. Ready to serve.

    Steps 8 & 9

    • Bake for approximately 15 – 20 minutes (oven times may vary) until the cheese has browned slightly and is bubbling.
    • Allow to cool before serving.

    Substitutions

    • Whole Wheat Fusilli - you can substitute with penne, rigatoni, farfalle or conchiglie pasta. Use gluten free if required.
    • Skimmed Milk - you can use full fat if you want but it will alter the nutritional label.
    • Plain Flour - use gluten free if you want to make this gluten free.
    • Tomato Passata - the passata helps to make this into a creamy pasta bake without the addition of any cream. You could also use tinned tomato instead.
    • Canned Tuna - I prefer to use tuna in springwater. You can of course use tuna in brine or oil. Just be sure to drain thoroughly before adding to the dish.
    • Fresh Basil - I prefer to use fresh basil. You can use dried basil or other herbs like oregano but I don't find you get the same delicious flavour.
    • Low Fat Grated Cheddar Cheese - you can also use grated mozarella or another hard cheese. Using a full fat cheese will alter the nutritional label.

    Equipment

    For This Tomato Tuna Pasta Bake Recipe You May Need….

    The following links and any links in the recipe card below are affiliate links.

    That means that if you click on it and then buy that product I’ll get a small commission (at no extra cost to you of course).

    If you do click through then thanks for being a part of Neil’s Healthy Meals!

    For making the sauce you'll need a good hard wearing balloon whisk.

    This is the one that I use which definitely won't break the bank either!

    I'm still using this same balloon whisk that I bought years ago!

    FAQ's

    Can I Prepare This Ahead?

    Yes. However, it is always better fresh because the pasta absorbs the liquid if you leave it uncooked too long. You can make the dish, allow the pasta to cool, sprinkle it with cheese, cover it and keep it in the fridge for no more than 2 days.

    How To Store?

    Once cooked you can store leftovers in the fridge, covered for 2 - 3 days maximum.

    Can Freeze This?

    Tuna tomato pasta bake can be frozen. I prefer to bake it first, then portion it into individual airtight plastic containers before freezing. You can freeze it before baking though. Whatever you choose just make sure it is thoroughly defrosted before baking or reheating.

    What Are The Tomato Tuna Pasta Bake Calories?

    This healthy tomato tuna pasta bake has 319 calories per serving.

    How To Reheat?

    Individual portions can be reheated in a microwave on short 1 minute blasts. You can also reheat in your oven at 180C Fan, covered with tin foil.

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    Other Popular Pasta Bake Recipes To Try

    📋 Easy Creamy Chicken Pasta Bake
    This easy creamy chicken pasta bake is made with no actual cream but still tastes all creamy and cheesy. Comfort food all the family will love!
    Check out this recipe
    Easy creamy chicken pasta bake in a large red casserole dish with serving spoon to the left. Bowl of sweetcorn and broccoli in the background along with salt and pepper cellars.
    📋 Chicken And Halloumi Pasta Bake
    Chicken and halloumi pasta bake is a perfect, filling delicious dinner. Easy to make this will soon become a family favourite!
    Check out this recipe
    Chicken and halloumi pasta bake removed from the oven and garnished with some chopped basil. Green salad in the background. Serving spoon to the right.
    📋 Healthy Baked Feta Pasta
    Healthy baked feta pasta is my lightened-up version of the popular Tiktok sensation. It's easy to make with step-by-step pictures and tastes amazing!
    Check out this recipe
    A stoneware dish of cooked healthy baked feta pasta. Salt and pepper cellars and a serving spoon at the top.
    Chicken Broccoli Stilton Pasta Bake
    A delicious family chicken broccoli stilton pasta bake. Lots of taste, lots of flavour.
    Check out this recipe
    Chicken Broccoli Stilton Pasta Bake Featured Image
    Tomato tuna pasta bake in a pasta dish covered in metled cheese just removed from the oven. Side salad above and a serving spoon to the left.
    Print Recipe Save Recipe Saved Recipe!
    5 from 10 votes

    📋 Easy Tomato Tuna Pasta Bake Recipe

    This easy tomato tuna pasta bake is a perfect delicious dish for busy weeknights that only requires a few ingredients, minimal time in the kitchen and is sure to be a hit with the whole family!
    Prep Time20 minutes mins
    Cook Time20 minutes mins
    Course: Dinner
    Cuisine: American, British, Italian
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 319kcal
    Author: Neil

    The following links and any links in the recipe card below are affiliate links.

    This means that if you click on it and then buy that product I’ll get a small commission (at no extra cost to you of course).

    If you do click through then thanks for being a part of Neil’s Healthy Meals!

    Equipment

    • Saucepans
    • Pasta dish
    • Kitchen scale
    • Chopping board
    • Kitchen knives
    • Measuring spoons
    • Measuring jug
    • Whisk
    • Wooden spoon
    • Colander

    Ingredients

    • 300 g whole wheat fusilli
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 large onion finely diced.
    • 300 ml skimmed milk.
    • 2 tablespoon plain flour
    • 300 g tomato passata
    • Freshly Ground Salt and Black Pepper
    • 2 x 145g cans of tuna chunks in spring water drained.
    • 1 tablespoon basil freshly chopped.
    • 75 g low fat grated cheddar cheese
    Metric - US Customary

    Instructions

    • Pre-heat oven to 180C Fan.
    • Cook the pasta in boiling salted water as per the packet instructions then drain.
    • Whilst the pasta is cooking, in a large pan, gently heat the olive oil and sauté onion for about 5 minutes until softened.
    • Add the milk and flour into the saucepan with the onion, bring it to the boil, then turn it down to simmer and whisk it thoroughly until you have a smooth and thickened white sauce.
    • Stir in the passata and simmer for about 5 minutes until the sauce has thickened. Season to taste.
    • Once the sauce has thickened add the drained pasta, drained tuna and basil and stir well together.
    • Pour the contents of the saucepan into an oven proof dish, sprinkle with the cheese and place onto the middle shelf of your oven.
    • Bake for approximately 15 – 20 minutes until the cheese has browned slightly and is bubbling.
    • Allow to cool a little before serving and then serve with a green salad.
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Nutrition

    Calories: 319kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.04g | Cholesterol: 27mg | Sodium: 462mg | Potassium: 357mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 343IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 134mg | Iron: 2mg

    Nutrition Label

    Nutritional information provided below is calculated using paid for online tools and the exact ingredients and quantities used above.

    Nutrition Facts
    📋 Easy Tomato Tuna Pasta Bake
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 319 Calories from Fat 54
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 6g9%
    Saturated Fat 2g13%
    Trans Fat 0.04g
    Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
    Monounsaturated Fat 2g
    Cholesterol 27mg9%
    Sodium 462mg20%
    Potassium 357mg10%
    Carbohydrates 41g14%
    Fiber 6g25%
    Sugar 7g8%
    Protein 23g46%
    Vitamin A 343IU7%
    Vitamin C 5mg6%
    Calcium 134mg13%
    Iron 2mg11%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

    Rate The Recipe

    If you’ve made this easy tomato tuna pasta bake recipe, or any other recipes on Neil's Healthy Meals, then please let me know.

    I’d love to hear what you think of my recipe in the comments below and please do rate my recipe 5* if you like it! 🙂

    Related

    « Baked Banana Oatmeal
    Chicken Stew With Tomatoes And Potatoes »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. angiesrecipes

      March 23, 2023 at 4:13 am

      5 stars
      IT looks so satisfying and delicious. I like tuna, but have never tried them in a casserole like this. Can't wait to try it!

      Reply
      • Neil

        March 23, 2023 at 5:50 am

        It's a great weeknight meal Angie. Especially if you have kids or just want a big dish you can have extra portions for freezing for a later time. ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply
    2. Ben | Havocinthekitchen

      March 23, 2023 at 11:11 pm

      5 stars
      Pasta bake which is rich and creamy without being overly heavy? I am in! Simple yet great flavours in here. For myself, I would also sprinkle the top with some pine nuts as they go perfectly well with tuna!

      Reply
      • Neil

        March 24, 2023 at 5:25 am

        Pine nuts sprinkled over the top would be a nice touch Ben. Thanks!

        Reply
    3. Mimi Rippee

      March 24, 2023 at 8:17 pm

      5 stars
      How hearty and warming this is! Iโ€™ve started using skipjack tuna, because I discovered many of the others contain lead! Yikes!

      Reply
      • Neil

        March 25, 2023 at 6:55 am

        It's a really comforting recipe. Yeah I always check the tins on the tuna I buy too. And always go for dolphin friendly ones.

        Reply
    4. Shashi

      March 26, 2023 at 10:41 am

      5 stars
      I so love that this does not have any cream in it yet looks so creamy and delicious! A dish that is both comforting and economical is a win for me! Thanks for sharing this Neil!

      Reply
      • Neil

        March 26, 2023 at 12:56 pm

        Glad you like it. Thanks Shashi!

        Reply
    5. Michelle

      March 27, 2023 at 4:31 am

      5 stars
      Ahh such a great pasta bake, perfect for fish Fridays! Will have to whip this up before Easter comes around!

      Reply
      • Neil

        March 27, 2023 at 5:21 am

        Idead this is a great bake for fish Friday's Michelle. We also do fish Friday's! Ha ha!

        Reply
    6. David @ Spiced

      March 27, 2023 at 1:03 pm

      5 stars
      I really do need to start using tuna more often. I love baked pasta dishes, and this one looks so warm and comforting! The tuna is a great (and inexpensive) way to add protein. Excellent recipe, my friend!

      Reply
      • Neil

        March 27, 2023 at 4:44 pm

        Thanks David. If like me you're looking to save money on your food shopping, then this tuna pasta bake can go a long way and feed up to 6 people!

        Reply
    7. Raymund | angsarap.net

      March 31, 2023 at 10:09 am

      5 stars
      I'm always on the lookout for quick and tasty meals for busy weeknights, and this recipe definitely fits the bill. I appreciate that it's healthy and budget-friendly too.

      Reply
      • Neil

        April 01, 2023 at 6:11 am

        You're welcome. That's exactly what it's for Raymund. Thanks! ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply
    8. 2pots2cook

      April 04, 2023 at 1:32 pm

      5 stars
      This is so our type of food! Thank you so much! Happy Easter!

      Reply
      • Neil

        April 05, 2023 at 5:17 am

        You're welcome and happy Easter to you too. ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply
    9. sherry

      April 08, 2023 at 9:23 am

      5 stars
      I do love me some tuna ๐Ÿ™‚ Very comforting here. Happy easter.

      Reply
      • Neil

        April 09, 2023 at 8:41 am

        Thanks Sherry. You too!

        Reply
    10. Charlie DeSando

      March 24, 2024 at 3:28 am

      5 stars
      Somehow I was no longer getting updates from your website. I have signed back up, sorry to miss any posts

      Reply
      • Neil

        March 27, 2024 at 2:11 pm

        Thanks Charlie! No problems!

        Reply
    5 from 10 votes

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