• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Free Dinner Ebook! Get your copy!

Join the Little Sunny Kitchen email family!

Get our FREE dinners ebook!

  • Meet Diana
  • Favorite Products
  • Videos
  • Learn to Cook

Little Sunny Kitchen

Delicious Recipes for Real Life

  • All Recipes
  • Course
    • Appetizers
    • Sides
    • Main Dishes
    • Salads
    • Pasta
    • Soups & Chilis
    • Desserts
    • Sauces & Dressings
    • Beverages
  • Holiday
    • Christmas
    • Valentine’s
    • Easter
    • Summer
    • Fall
    • Thanksgiving
    • Halloween
  • Method
    • Instant Pot
    • Air Fryer
    • Slow Cooker
    • Oven
    • Stovetop
    • Grill
  • Easy Meals
  • Appetizers
  • Drinks
  • Slow Cooker
  • Air Fryer
  • Restaurant Copycats
  • Summer Faves
Home Recipes By Type Main Dishes

Creamy Tuna Pasta Bake (Tuna Casserole)

4.9
/5 –
Rate Recipe 19 Comments
Jump to Recipe
  • Share
By: Diana Posted: 3/31/20 Updated: 7/29/21

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

This tuna pasta bake is a truly delicious family-friendly recipe, yet it’s totally simple and easy! This comforting and flavorful dinner is made with mostly pantry ingredients that you probably already have. Ready in just half an hour!

Tuna pasta bake in a baking dish, with a wooden serving spoon

A pasta bake is definitely one of the best comfort foods that we know, but that doesn’t mean that it has to be loaded with calories and fats. Here’s a healthier version of the pasta bake that is creamy, and your family will love.

This pasta bake is comforting, yet not too heavy, it’s flavourful and has the best textures. If you love tuna, then you’re going to love this. I wouldn’t say that this tuna pasta bake is loaded with the taste of tuna, but the taste is obvious and mixed with cheesy and creamy flavors.

Cooked pasta is tossed in a smooth cheesy bechamel sauce, then mixed with flaked tuna, sweet corn, and peas. The seasonings are quite simple, and things that you already have in your kitchen.

My favorite part? The cheesy topping! Place under the broiler for the cheese to melt, and crisp up a bit. DELICIOUS!

Tuna Casserole Ingredients

To make this pasta bake, you will need mostly pantry ingredients.

Ingredients needed to make tuna casserole including pasta, peas, corn, tuna, milk, butter, cheese, garlic, and seasonings.
  • Pasta – use any dried pasta shape (but avoid flat/long shapes).
  • All purpose flour, whole milk, unsalted butter, and mozzarella cheese.
  • Seasonings – Italian seasoning, ground nutmeg, black pepper, salt, and garlic.
  • Sweet corn – canned or frozen.
  • Peas – canned or frozen (I prefer frozen peas).
  • Tuna – drained and flaked.

How to make tuna pasta bake

Preheat the oven to 180°C (356°F).

Cook the pasta according to package instructions, and drain from cooking water.

How to make tuna pasta bake

To make the bechamel sauce. Melt the butter in a large pot or saucepan, and add the flour. Mix it together with a spatula so that a paste forms. Then gradually add the milk and whisk until you get a creamy sauce.

Whisk in the seasonings; Italian seasoning, nutmeg, pepper, salt, and garlic.

Add the peas, sweetcorn, flaked tuna, and pasta. And mix everything well.

Tuna pasta mixture before baking

Pour the mixture into a baking pan, and top with grated mozzarella cheese. Bake uncovered for 15 minutes, then broil the top until it starts to brown (3-5 minutes).

Staub cast iron baking dish with tuna pasta bake layers before going in the oven

Garnish with chopped parsley, and serve warm.

A close up shot of the tuna pasta bake, and the melty cheese that was placed under the broiler

Recipe Tips

Here are my top tips to make the perfect baked tuna pasta dish:

  • Make sure that pasta is cooked until just “al dente”, remember it will be cooking a bit longer in the oven so overcooking the pasta will make it lose structure.
  • Choose the right type of pasta. I wouldn’t make this with noodles or thin flat-shaped pasta as the sauce will slide off to the bottom of your baking dish, resulting in dried out pasta and a pool of sauce at the bottom. Go for pasta shapes such as penne, fusilli or farfalle.
  • When making the bechamel sauce, if it becomes too thick, just thin it out with additional milk. If it’s too thin, cook it a bit longer but make sure that you keep whisking as you cook it.
  • When you add the flour to the melted butter, don’t cook it for too long to avoid getting that floury taste in the sauce.
  • I usually use canned tuna in water, it helps cut down on the calories. However, canned tuna in oil gives more flavor.
  • I used peas and corn, but feel free to change things up and add more vegetables such as steamed broccoli, green beans, roasted bell peppers, or cherry tomatoes.

Storing Tips

Fridge: Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Reheat: Reheat in the microwave or in the oven. If the pasta is too dry, add a splash of water and reheat. Mix before eating.

Freezer: Freeze in portions in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.

Recommended Tools to Make This Recipe

  • A large pot or pan. Make sure that you’re using the right size of pot or pan, as you’ll be mixing all of the ingredients in it after making the sauce.
  • A baking dish. Choose the right size so that it fits. I used 30x20cm (9×12 inches).
  • Whisk. A must-have!
  • Garlic press. A kitchen essential.
  • Grater. I always grate cheese at home as it’s much fresher than store-bought already grated cheese.

Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!

Recipe
4.93 from 13 votes
(Click stars to rate!)

Creamy Tuna Pasta Bake

Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Author: Diana
Print Rate Recipe Email Recipe
Super easy pasta bake that can be ready in just 30 minutes!
6 servings
Super easy pasta bake that can be ready in just 30 minutes!

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (50 grams)
  • ¼ cup (50 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 2.5 cups (600 ml) whole milk
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 clove garlic crushed
  • 1 cup (100 grams) mozzarella cheese grated – divided
  • 200 grams peas
  • 200 grams sweet corn
  • 300 grams canned tuna drained and flaked
  • 4 cups (400 grams) dried pasta
  • 2 tablespoons Parsley chopped – for serving

Equipment

  • 20x30cm – 9×12 inches baking dish

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 180°C (356°F).
  • Cook the pasta according to package instructions, and drain.
  • Make the bechamel sauce. Melt the butter in a large pan, and add the flour. Mix it together with a spatula so that a paste forms. Then gradually add the milk and whisk until you get a creamy sauce.
  • Whisk in the seasonings; Italian seasoning, nutmeg, pepper, salt, and garlic. Add half of the cheese, and mix it in so that it melts.
  • Add the peas, sweetcorn, flaked tuna, and pasta. And mix everything well.
  • Pour the mixture into a baking dish (I used 20x30cm – 9×12 inches cast iron baking dish), and top with the rest of the grated mozzarella cheese. Bake uncovered for 15 minutes, then broil the top until it starts to brown (3-5 minutes).
  • Garnish with chopped parsley, and serve warm.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 497kcal, Carbohydrates: 80g, Protein: 17g, Fat: 11g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Cholesterol: 27mg, Sodium: 152mg, Potassium: 563mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 9g, Vitamin A: 845IU, Vitamin C: 52.2mg, Calcium: 166mg, Iron: 2.2mg

This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.

© Little Sunny Kitchen

Did You Make This?I love to see what you made! Tag me @LittleSunnyKitchen and hashtag #LittleSunnyKitchen
Pin Recipe Tag on Insta Leave Review

This recipe first appeared on Little Sunny Kitchen in September 2017, but was updated with new images and more information in March 2020.

You may also like...

  • Caprese pasta recipe
    Caprese Pasta Bake
  • Creamy Tomato Pasta
  • Creamy Lemon Chicken Pasta in a le creuset stainless steel pan, and a serving spoon.
    Creamy Lemon Chicken Pasta
  • Smoked Haddock Pasta Bake
Previous Post
Butter Chicken
Next Post
Whipped Coffee Recipe

Reader Interactions

Leave a Review! Cancel reply

Have a question or just want to say how much you loved the recipe? Leave a rating below, save for later on Pinterest, and share on Facebook. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Rate this recipe!




  1. Rochelle says

    Posted on 7/29/21 at 08:46

    5 stars
    This is a beautiful dish, my family loved it.

    Reply
    • Diana says

      Posted on 7/31/21 at 12:16

      Glad to hear your family loved it, Rochelle!

      Reply
  2. Corinne Fisher says

    Posted on 11/27/17 at 19:53

    This is a firm family favourite for us so I will definitely be trying out this healthier version.

    Reply
  3. CERIL ROBERTS says

    Posted on 11/15/17 at 00:51

    4 stars
    This looks delicious. I tend to use jars when making Tuna Pasta but I like the idea of making things from scratch. I am sure it’s much healthier like this.

    Reply
Older Comments 1 2 3 4

Primary Sidebar

Welcome

Meet Diana

Welcome to Little Sunny Kitchen! I'm Diana and I’m here to teach you how to make easy meals that are quick, family-friendly, and delicious!

Read More
Follow on Pinterest for more ideas!
Free ebook!

Download My Free Dinner eBook!


Get my copy!

Free eBook

Download My Free Dinner eBook!

Dinner Tonight

Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry in a skillet

Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry

Garlic Butter Chicken Tenders

Holding a Chick-Fil-A homemade Sandwich, and waffle fries

Homemade Chick-Fil-A Chicken Sandwich

Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta

Most Popular

Chocolate Macarons

Penne Arrabbiata

French Fry Seasoning

Alfredo Sauce Recipe

Crispy Oven Baked Chicken Tenders

Chicken Caesar Wrap

Instant Pot Air Fryer Crockpot Easy Dinners Salads Grilling
Opens in a new window Opens an external site Opens an external site in a new window

As Featured On:

Dinner tonight
Free ebook!

Download My Free Dinner eBook!

Join us and receive new recipes every week! Download our FREE eBook with quick and easy dinner recipes that are family-friendly and delicious.

Back to Top

explore

Recipe Index

Videos

Shop

Cooking Guides

Follow Along on Social:

Join My Free Instant Pot & Air Fryer Facebook Group
Back to Top

About

Contact

Privacy Policy

Accessibility

© 2022 Little Sunny Kitchen
|
Site Credits Designed by Melissa Rose Design Developed by Once Coupled