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Are you ready for a healthy Tuna Pasta Bake that is also delicious? This is the easiest tuna pasta bake on the internet. It’s flavourful and sure to be a hit with all the family! Most of the ingredients are things you’ll already have on hand. Plus, you can easily make it gluten-free and dairy free!

tuna pasta bake in a large white casserole dish served with a spoon.

Recipe Difficulty – Very Easy

Why this recipe works

This baked tuna pasta recipe is the perfect dish to warm you up in those cold fall and winter months. It comes together in minutes once the pasta is cooked and then bakes for 25 minutes. 

Because this dairy free tuna & pasta bake has quite a few canned items, it’s a great one to keep on hand when your fresh produce runs out and you haven’t quite made it to the store.

The flavours of this quick tuna pasta bake are what are going to keep you coming back for more. If you search tuna pasta bake ideas, you’ll likely find quite a few creamy tuna bakes. My tuna bake recipe doesn’t use that creamy aspect. Instead, it’s full of sweetcorn and tomato flavours, covered in a cheesy top. This tuna pasta bake tomato style is sure to become a quick favourite!

This was inspired by my Vegan Pasta Bake and Sausage Pasta Bake and pairs well with this amazing Three Bean Salad recipe

Ingredients to make Tuna Pasta Bake

tuna pasta bake ingredients laid out on a white background.
  1. Penne Pasta – I use gluten-free, but regular penne will work just fine in this tuna noodle casserole. If you have some spare try making my One Pot Pasta.
  2. Garlic Cloves – add a delicious flavour to the bake.
  3. Red Onion – is my favourite onion to use in my dinners.
  4. Canned Tuna – Make sure to drain the tuna from the cans. If you have some spare then also try my Canned Tuna Pasta or Tuna Pasta Salad.
  5. Sweetcorn – should also be drained.
  6. Passata – is pure tomatoes that have been pureed and strained. If you have any jars spare then try my famous Vegan Lasagne recipe.
  7. Dried Oregano – pairs great with tomato.
  8. Dried Basil – has a sweet and savoury flavour profile.
  9. Fresh Spinach – adds a great colour as well as nutrients to this dish.
  10. Grated Cheese – I use vegan cheese for this recipe to make it a dairy free pasta bake.
  11. Salt and Pepper – are used to finish off the flavours of this simple tuna bake.

See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

Substitutions

  • Penne Pasta – could be replaced by whatever pasta you have on hand. Macaroni, shells, fusilli or even spaghetti would work.
  • Garlic Cloves – are best fresh, but can be replaced with minced or dried garlic if needed.
  • Red Onion – Yellow or white onion would also work.
  • Tuna – If you aren’t a tuna fan, try some canned chicken or salmon instead. But if you fancy another fish pasta recipe then try my Prawn Linguine.
  • Vegetables – If you’d like to replace or add to the corn, you could try carrots, frozen peas, mushrooms, broccoli, etc.
  • Passata – You can use tinned tomatoes, tomato purée or paste if you don’t have passata. You may need to adjust the amounts to produce the correct consistency.

Variations

  • Spicy – add chopped jalapeno peppers or crushed red pepper flakes for a spicy tuna baked pasta.
  • Deluxe – Broil this easy tuna pasta bake for the last 5 minutes or so to crisp up the cheese. You can add some extra veggies and serve up with some gluten free garlic bread for a deluxe meal.
  • Kid friendly – If your kids aren’t tuna fans, swap it out for canned chicken. Crumble some potato chips on top for a fun treat!

See this Chickpea “Tuna” Salad version of this recipe on my website!

How to make Tuna Pasta Bake

boiling penne pasta in a large silver pot.

Step 1: Firstly, boil the pasta (per packet instructions).

diced red onion and crushed garlic on a wooden chopping board with large knife.

Step 2: Next, dice the onion and crush the garlic.

tuna pasta bake ingredients mixed together in a large white casserole dish.

Step 3: Once the pasta has cooked, drain and add to a large baking dish along with the onion, garlic, drained tuna, drained sweetcorn, passata, spinach, herbs, salt and pepper and mix together.

tuna pasta bake in a large white casserole dish topped with cheese for baking.

Step 4: Finally, top with grated cheese and bake for 25 minutes at 200C.

Hint: Broil or grill the tuna casserole for the last 5 minutes or so to crisp up the cheese nicely.

Leftovers

Store leftover tuna bake in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. You could also freeze it for up to three months. Make sure to reheat until piping hot throughout.

Recipe FAQs

Where does tuna pasta bake originate from?

Tuna and pasta together in a creamy sauce is something that can be found across centuries and countries. Tuna casserole itself seems to have become incredibly popular in the mid-1900s. It was a quick, cheap, easy, and delicious meal. When Cream of Mushroom soup became easily available, this dish became a staple in many homes.

Can tuna pasta bake be reheated?

It can! If you’re reheating a larger portion, I’d recommend the oven. If you’re just heating up a single-serve portion, the microwave will be great.

Is tuna pasta bake good for you?

It depends. Some tuna bakes have a cream sauce. This can build up the calories quickly. My recipe is based on the noodles and tuna being covered in vegetables and some cheese. Definitely a healthier version of this classic recipe.

What goes with tuna pasta bake?

This tuna pasta bake is great with a nice green salad, Air Fryer Broccoli or your favourite veggie side.

tuna pasta bake served in a white casserole dish with a spoon for serving.

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Tried this Tuna Pasta Bake recipe? Please leave a star rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ below and let me know how you get on. Hearing positive feedback is one of the best parts of creating recipes so please review it below and leave a comment!

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5 from 9 votes

Tuna Pasta Bake

A comforting super easy tuna pasta bake that the family will love!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 4
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Ingredients 

  • 500 g penne pasta, (I used gluten-free)
  • 3 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 1 small red onion, diced
  • 2x 145 g tinned tuna, drained
  • 1 tinned sweetcorn, drained
  • 1 690g jarred passata
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • 200 g grated cheese, (I used vegan)
  • 1 handful fresh spinach, (optional)
  • salt & pepper

Instructions 

  • Firstly, boil the pasta (per packet instructions).
  • Next, dice the onion and crush the garlic.
  • Once the pasta has cooked, drain and add to a large baking dish along with the onion, garlic, drained tuna, drained sweetcorn, passata, spinach, herbs, salt and pepper and mix together.
  • Finally, top with grated cheese and bake for 25 minutes at 200C.

Video

Notes

Step-by-Step Photos: My blog post includes helpful step-by-step photos to help guide you through making this recipe.
Substitutions & Variations: I have included a list of these in the post above.
To Store: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. Reheat in the microwave or oven. 
To Freeze: Freeze in an airtight container for up to three months.
Tip 1: Tube-shaped pasta works best in pasta bakes. If you change from penne, I’d recommend using another tubular pasta like macaroni or ziti but fusilli will also work well.
Tip 2: If you love spicy dishes, you could add freshly chopped jalapeno or even some crushed chilli flakes to this tuna bake recipe with pasta.
Tip 3: If you are vegetarian, leave out the tuna and add some extra vegetables! Carrots, broccoli, and/or peas are all great options!

Nutrition

Calories: 489kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4g
Did you make this recipe? Tag me Today!Tag @HealthyLivingJames on Instagram and use #HealthyLivingJames!

About James Wythe

Hey, I'm James! A fully qualified health coach, cookbook author, full time food blogger and new dad with over 1 million followers. I started this journey after a sudden illness left me bed bound for 2 years and housebound for 4 years! I’m here to help you make healthy and delicious food for you and your family in less time!

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Recipe Rating




12 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Loved this recipe Easy to make and easy to adapt to the ingredients I had in the cupboard. Easy to adapt to a single person. I am so looking forward to other recipes

  2. 5 stars
    Excellent recipe, thanks! My kids aren’t really fussy anymore, but a Tuna Pasta Bake experience from some years ago made them wary of this one when I served it up.

    Suffice to say – wariness now overcome! And a very positive endorsement from my wife too.

    I used fresh basil leaves as I had some to hand – I respectfully think they lifted the flavours even more.

  3. 5 stars
    Lovely recipe, my family really enjoyed it and I’ll definitely make it again, but I’d say that it’s more like 6 portions rather than 4. Thanks for the recipe!