Tuna macaroni bake. This is a simple, tasty and low cost family dish for four. A perfect weeknight quick healthy meal served with a simple side salad.
This tuna macaroni bake came together as I was asked to talk to a group of people at my work about healthy eating.
I wanted to demonstrate that healthy food does not have to be expensive.
Indeed, in many cases, a cheaper diet is a healthier diet because spending less on food is really about returning to the basics.
Those basics being fresh fruit, vegetables, dairy produce, lentils, beans, starchy foods like wholemeal pasta, wholegrain rice, home baked wholemeal breads, and a small amounts of red meat and lean meats such as turkey, chicken and fish too.
That's exactly what I'm doing here with this tuna macaroni bake.
Returning to the basics means wholesome home cooking from scratch, avoiding those packaged, highly processed and refined foods that are termed as “convenience foods”.
These are often promoted by large supermarkets and advertisers.
I bought all of the ingredients for this tuna macaroni bake from my local major supermarket, and in many cases, I chose their own brands.
The total cost (at the date and time I am writing this) was £6.73.
This tuna macaroni bake recipe makes 4 portions, so even if you had none of these ingredients in your kitchen cupboards, each portion of this healthy tuna pasta bake would cost £1.68.
Plus, as you are not using up all of the ingredients you’ve purchased, they can be used to make this again.
Alternatively, you can use them for some of my other pasta bake recipes too (see below)!
Cut the tuna macaroni bake into 4 portions once it has cooled.
Freeze any portions that are not required for immediate consumption.
It’s perfect for reheating in the microwave or oven once defrosted, making it a convenient option for a quick meal next time it’s needed.
I really hope you enjoy this tuna macaroni bake recipe as much as I do.
It's a simple tuna pasta bake that has been made by my family for years.
We haven't felt any need to change the recipe because it’s just that good!
Additionally, it's a versatile dish that can be paired with a variety of sides.
You might want to try it with a fresh green salad or some steamed vegetables. This adds even more nutrition to an already healthy meal.
Hints and Tips for How To Make Tuna Macaroni Bake
- You can use full fat milk and full fat cheddar cheese if wish. The recipe nutritional label will not be valid then though.
- Once baked you can cover the dish in cling film, store it in the fridge and heat up individual portions in the microwave the next day.
- Store only for one day in the fridge.
- Freeze the tuna pasta bake by cutting it into portions and storing them in individual containers in your freezer.
- To defrost tuna macaroni bake simply remove it from the freezer to the fridge and let it defrost there overnight.
- If you don't have tuna or you fancy a change you could use some chopped cooked chicken instead.
For This Healthy Tuna Pasta Bake You May Need….
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).
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Equipment
This is the basic baking dish I use. As you can see it's relatively inexpensive and its perfect for oven baked recipes.
It's durable, resistant to breakage, dishwasher and freezer safe too!
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Other Popular Pasta Bake Recipes You Might Also Like
- The best chicken and sweetcorn pasta bake is simply that. An easy, delicious and satisfying chicken pasta bake that all the family will love!
- Easy vegetarian quorn pasta bolognese bake takes just under an hour to prepare and can serve up to six people. Packed with healthy wholegrain fusilli pasta and vegetables. Then topped with a light cheesy crust you can bet it’s a bake all the family will love!
- Chicken broccoli stilton pasta bake is a delicious easy family meal. It’s relatively healthy, low cost and can be on the table in less than an hour. An excellent quick healthy meal!
- 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!
Tuna Macaroni Bake Recipe
I recommend serving this tuna pasta bake with a healthy low cost green salad. A simple one we love is of lettuce, cucumber, spring onions and tomato.
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! 🙂
Tuna Macaroni Bake Recipe
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!
Ingredients
- 175 g macaroni
- 300 ml skimmed milk
- 15 g corn flour mixed with 2 tbsp. cold water
- 185 g can of tuna in spring water drained
- 120 g frozen peas
- 75 g low fat grated cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 180Fan.
- Cook the macaroni in boiling, salter water for about 8 minutes until slightly tender and then drain.
- Whilst the macaroni is cooking add the milk and corn flour mixture into a medium sized saucepan. Bring the mixture to the boil, then turn it down to simmer whilst you stir it constantly with a wooden spoon to make a white sauce.
- Once the sauce has thickened add the drained macaroni, tuna and peas and combine 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.
trkingmomoe
I grew up eating this. My mother liked making this.
neil@neilshealthymeals.com
Its just such a great "back to basics" dish isn't it? 🙂
Susan Bates
This is a great recipe Neil. My kids love it and in order to get them to eat their veg I vary it each time I make this recipe. So some weeks I might add some cooked broccoli instead of peas. Other times I add a selection of mixed frozen veg. It all works well. Thanks for this!
Neil
I'm really glad that you like the recipe Susan. That's a great idea to vary the veg from week to week to get your kids to like it. Thanks for taking the time to rate and comment on my recipe! 🙂