Creamy Tomato Tuna Pasta Bake is healthy, filling, and budget-friendly dish. You can have this easy one-pot meal on the table in a quick 20 minutes which makes it perfect for a busy weeknight dinner.
Craving more? Don't miss our 65+ Best Thanksgiving Main Dish Recipes Beyond The Turkey.
This tomato tuna casserole is a great alternative for a classical dairy-based thick creamy sauce.
If you love this casserole, we have quite a few one-pot recipes that you should try next. From our Cabbage Cheese Bake, Cabbage Roll Soup to our Chili Cheese Dog Casserole.
Why We Love This
- Tuna bake is the best comfort food! Creamy tomato sauce adds a new flavor to a classical boring tuna pasta!
- For those busy weeknights! Like most of my easy recipes, this recipe doesn’t call for any special ingredients. Everything is made from scratch! And chances are you have everything you need to make it already in your pantry and refrigerator.
Ingredients
- Noodles. Don’t worry if you don’t have any penne pasta on hand, you can use whatever type of pasta you have on hand. But for best flavor be sure to use one of the below mentioned pasta types.
- Sometimes I love to use Rotini pasta as its texture allows the tomato sauce to get stuck in nicely which gives the most flavor. Penne or farfalle (bowties) or any other short noodles and shell pasta varieties would also be a great option here.
- Tuna. This recipe calls for tuna packed in oil which will give it a depth of flavor, that tuna in water will not. (This is my personal preference! More sauce the merrier!). However, if the only tuna you have is tuna in water that's also fine. Canned chicken can be used instead as well, just make sure that you drain it well. Also, choosing the right tuna matters. Use your favorite tested brands and always go for a high quality better brand of tuna. The flavor is everything here!
- Pasta sauce. Honestly, you can use a jar of your favorite tomato sauce (plain thinner tomato puree without spices and herbs), passata, marinara, spaghetti sauce or pizza sauce when putting together this recipe. If using spaghetti sauce, just make sure to measure out how much you need as it usually comes in a larger jar than pizza sauce. You don’t want to leave your tuna swimming in the casserole from too much sauce!
- Marinara sauce substitute. In case you don't have any sauce ... Another budget friendly option is to use tomato paste mixed with vegetable or meat broth. You'll have to add more seasonings to get the best flavor. I know that some people also like to use vegetable juice like V8, but personally I use it only for soups and haven't tried it for pasta yet. Let me know if you do, and how it turned out!
- Cheese. This recipe calls for mozzarella cheese (block mozzarella is preferred due to it's amazing melty texture!), but if you don’t have any in the fridge there is no need to fret. You could easily replace the mozzarella cheese with shredded cheddar cheese, Monterey jack cheese, Swiss, Gruyere, Pepper Jack, Gouda.
- Garnish. Serve with more olives, cherry tomatoes or sundried tomatoes, fresh or dried herbs, grated parmesan cheese.
For the full list of ingredients, please scroll down where you'll find the recipe card.
Instructions
Boil the pasta according to package instructions (al dente). Add 1 tablespoons of oil to pasta water.
Add cooked pasta to a large mixing bowl, add tuna (I like to break up the larger chunks of tuna before adding to the casserole), marinara sauce, 1 teaspoon of oregano, garlic powder.
Mix to combine. Optional: for a beautiful presentation reserve some plain tuna chunks for the top layer.
In a 13 x 9-inch baking dish add half of the pasta mix, half of the cheese, another pasta layer, and top with more tuna, olives and tomatoes.
Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of oregano and finish with a layer of remaining cheese.
Bake at 400 degrees Fahrenehit for about 20 minutes or until the cheese is properly melted.
Garnish with fresh herbs and more oregano, black pepper.
Tips
- Spicy Tuna Pasta Bake. This easy pasta bake is simple whole family meal and usually kids love this (unless they hate tuna!). But to spruce up your the dish I'd recommend adding a sprinkle of crushed red pepper chilli flakes. You don't need a lot, even a little bit will add smokiness to the overall flavor.
- Canned tuna is packed full of protein, vitamins, minerals, and omega-three fatty acids. It is an inexpensive, versatile, and shelf stable source of protein. You should keep a can or two in your pantry to whip a quick meal whenever you need it.
- Need to stretch your tuna pasta casserole a little further, or looking for a way to sneak a few extra veggies on the plate? Add a can of peas, or some diced carrots, you could even chop up a little leftover broccoli and toss it in there. That’s the beauty of dishes like these, you can use whatever you have available to you and still end up with an amazing meal!
- I didn't add any salt here as the sauce already has a lot of flavor and the olives are already salted. When combining the cooked pasta and other ingredients be sure to taste test before baking.
Freezing and Storing Instructions
Store this creamy tuna pasta bake properly sealed in a special airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days. You can freeze it for 2 months or so.
For reheating the casserole add a little spring water, vegetable or fish stock, water or marinara sauce to the pasta. For best flavor (although it will not be the same as just baked) I'd recommend reheating it in a small baking dish in the oven, at about 425 degrees Fahrenheit until warmed through.
Easy Seafood Recipes
- Spicy Fish Tacos - have frozen or fresh white fish or any leftovers? Make tacos!
- Salmon Patties / Salmon Burger - thsi recipe makes fluffy, juicy and utterly tender salmon patties.
- Shrimp Scampi Without Wine - Julia from The Yummy Bowl makes the best shrimp scampi I've tried so far!
- 2 minute Air Fryer Tuna Steak - a must try for tuna and air fryer lovers.
Did you make this recipe? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below. Thank you!
FAQ
Yes, any short pasta you have on hand works well, just cook it al dente since it will continue to soften slightly in the sauce.
Yes, assemble it up to a day ahead and refrigerate unbaked, then bake fresh, adding a few extra minutes since it will start cold.
Yes, canned salmon or cooked shredded chicken both work well in place of tuna.
Fun Variations to Try
- Spicy Version - add a sprinkle of red pepper chili flakes for a smoky kick.
- Extra Veggie - stir in peas or spinach along with the tomato sauce.
- Cheesy Topping - add extra shredded mozzarella or Parmesan on top before baking.
📖Recipe
Creamy Tomato Tuna Pasta Bake
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups uncooked penne or other pasta
- 14 oz can of tuna in oil, drain most of the oil
- 8-12 cherry tomatoes or plum tomatoes
- ½ cup black or mixed olives, pitted
- 2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder or 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese or grated cheddar
- 14 oz Marinara, spaghetti sauce or pizza sauce
- Black pepper to taste
- Fresh basil leaves, parsley or oregano for garnish
Instructions
- Boil the pasta according to package instructions (al dente). Add 1 tablespoons of oil to pasta water.
- Add cooked pasta to a large mixing bowl, add tuna (i like to break up the larger chunks of tuna), marinara sauce, 1 teaspoon of oregano, garlic powder. Mix to combine.
- Ina 9 x 13-inch baking dish add half of the pasta mix, add a layer of half of the cheese, another pasta layer, and top with olives and tomatoes. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of oregano and finish with a layer of remaining cheese.
- Bake at 400 F for about 20 minutes or until the cheese is properly melted.
- Garnish with fresh herbs and more oregano!
Notes
- Store this creamy tuna pasta bake properly sealed in a special airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days. You can freeze it for 2 months or so.
- For reheating the casserole add a little spring water, vegetable or fish stock, water or marinara sauce to the pasta. For best flavor (although it will not be the same as just baked) I'd recommend reheating it in a small baking dish in the oven, at about 425 degrees Fahrenheit until warmed through.
- Spicy Tuna Pasta Bake. This easy pasta bake is a simple whole family meal and usually, kids love this (unless they hate tuna!). But to spruce up the dish I'd recommend adding a sprinkle of crushed red pepper chilli flakes. You don't need a lot, even a little bit will add smokiness to the overall flavor.
- I didn't add any salt here as the sauce already has a lot of flavor and the olives are already salted. When combining the cooked pasta and other ingredients be sure to taste test before baking.
Nutrition
Before You Go
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Rita
Tuna pasta bake is the easiest budget friendly meal with pantry staple ingredients!